$300K In Cars Stolen In Manalapan, Some Unlocked, Police Say

MANALAPAN, NJ — Police here are reminding residents to remove any key fobs or valuables from unoccupied cars and lock the vehicle’s doors after four incidents of car thefts before Christmas.

Here are the incidents - that represented a total loss of approximately $300,000, as reported by Deputy Chief Leonard Maltese:

• Tuesday, Dec. 20: A 35-year-old Manalapan resident reported that a person stole an unlocked vehicle that had the key fob inside while it was parked at a Newport Drive residence. The vehicle and its contents were valued at approximately $83,945. Patrolman DeCristofaro handled the report.
• Also on Dec. 20: A 40-year-old Manalapan resident reported that a person stole an unlocked vehicle that had the key fob inside from a Kingsley Drive residence. The vehicle and its contents were valued at approximately $40,000. Patrolman Cristopher Capuzzo took the report.
• Friday, Dec. 16: A 27-year-old Manalapan resident reported that sometime between 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 15 and 7:30 a.m. Dec. 16, a person entered a Deepwater Circle residence through an unsecured window and then removed items and a vehicle valued at approximately $150,000. Patrolman William Dutton took the report.
• Thursday, Dec. 15: An 85-year-old Manalapan resident reported that sometime between 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 14 and 10 a.m. Dec. 15, a person stole a vehicle, valued at approximately $31,000.00, while it was parked on Covered Bridge Boulevard. Patrolman Jeffrey Emslie took the report.

All four car thefts are being investigated by police.

Meanwhile, there was criminal mischief reported involving a car on Dec. 19. A 75-year-old Manalapan resident reported to police that a person attempted to remove two wheels and tires from a vehicle that was parked at a Whitman Drive residence sometime before Dec. 15. Patrolman Ross Dessel took the report.

The car thefts are a continuing problem here and in other towns in the state, so personal vigilance is needed. Police reminded residents that, in addition to removing key fobs and locking your car, to make sure your home is secured.