Manalapan Police Cite Measures Being Taken To Deter Car Thefts

MANALAPAN, NJ — Two high-end cars were stolen the week before Christmas in the township, police here reported.

And police also said the department is taking extra measures to deter such crimes - and find the criminals.

On Dec. 22, a burglar got into an Abilene Lane home and removed the keys to a vehicle there. The suspect then stole the car, valued at approximately $80,000, according to the township resident who reported the matter. Patrolman Hunter Mauro took the report.

On Dec. 21, a resident of Bayville in Berkeley reported that someone stole an unlocked, running vehicle, valued at $87,900 from the driveway of a Rowena Road residence. Sgt. Philip Accatatta took the report.

Township police say the department is "working to strategically deter this type of activity, as well as to apprehend the individuals who have already committed these types of crimes."

Noting the problem is not isolated to Manalapan, there are increased assigned patrols throughout the township, both in marked and unmarked police vehicles, as well as communication with surrounding jurisdictions, police said in a post to the community.

"As always, residents are urged to lock their vehicles and residences, utilize any available security measures (alarms, video surveillance, etc.), and to contact the police department immediately for any possible suspicious activity that they may see," the department said.

Another incident in the township involved the theft of a catalytic converter:

On Dec. 20, a Manalapan resident reported that someone removed a catalytic converter, valued at approximately $1,000, from a vehicle while it was parked at Heritage Village, Woodward Road in Manalapan. Patrolman Jeffrey Emslie took the report.

On the same day at Heritage Village, employees reported that someone stole approximately $2,664 worth of supplies from a construction site. Patrolman Kyle Williams handled the initial report.

All matters are pending further investigation.