Trespassers Trying To Steal Cars Could Get Jail Time In Marlboro

MARLBORO, NJ — Memo to car thieves: Marlboro will impose municipal fines and jail time for car theft attempts in the town, officials say.

To deter criminals from trying to steal cars, Mayor Jonathan Hornik has proposed a town ordinance to levy local penalties for anyone who trespasses on private property for the purpose of stealing a motor vehicle.

"Let the word get out. … stealing vehicles comes with consequences in Marlboro,” he said.

Hornik proposed the idea as a way for local governments to get more control over the car theft boom in the state. Under current bail reform guidelines, even those arrested for car thefts can be released pending their cases.

Hornik said that if a town levies trespassing charges, the suspects will need to come into court to pay the fine. If they don't, a warrant would be issued for their arrest.

He said the state is working on the bail reform scoring system to address the revolving door of car theft suspects.

But until then "we need to take matters into our own hands," he said.

A fine of $1,000 for the first offense is the top amount permitted by the state under local trespassing laws, he said.

But Hornik said the fine could be assessed for every "touch" - every attempt to unlock a car or house door.

"I hope to see tens of thousands of those," he said.

He also hopes other towns will follow suit and adopt their own ordinances to gain more local control of the problem.

"The bigger the net," he said, the more the car theft wave can be pushed back.

The mayor said the township has taken many steps to address the increase in motor vehicle thefts that have been skyrocketing around the state.

Local actions have made a difference, Hornik said.

"But we will not have an end to this concern until people are penalized for this illegal activity,” Hornik said.

The proposal will be introduced at the next Township Council meeting on Nov. 10.

The ordinance carries with it a penalty of up to $2,000 or imprisonment of up to 90 days for each vehicle theft attempt. Trespassing in attempt to steal a motor vehicle, even if the individual fails, constitutes an offense under the ordinance.

The penalty for the first offense is $1,000, and $2,000 for each subsequent offense.

The amendment to Township Ordinance Code section 150 will be sent to the Township Council for consideration for first reading at the meeting scheduled for Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.

The second reading and consideration for adoption will be presented to the Township Council at the Dec. 15 meeting, at which time Hornik will submit a resolution to the council to make the ordinance effective immediately upon second reading and adoption because it is a matter of public safety.

Meanwhile, the township has taken other steps to address car thefts.

“We have a stellar police department, but with 32 square miles and 14,000 homes we cannot do it alone. Public participation and vigilance, as well as the use of technology will continue to be critical to our success in apprehending those responsible for theft in our community," said Chief Peter J. Pezzullo.

He said the township has made more than 30 arrests and successful vehicle thefts have decreased by more than 40 percent since March.

"But there is obviously still more work to be done,” said Pezzullo.

Hornik’s "See Something. Say Something. We Will Do Something." initiative was launched in Marlboro in 2018 in response to school shootings throughout the country.

In March of this year, this program was expanded to include home and vehicle safety due to the
uptick of vehicle thefts. Township emails, social media messaging and Police SWIFT 911 texts reminded residents to lock their car and take the key fob.

The initiative was again expanded in May of 2022 when Hornik and Pezzullo asked residents to take an on-line pledge agreeing to take basic steps to keep their home and vehicles safe. In return, an officer delivered a lawn sign that serves as a reminder to neighbors, and sends a warning to potential thieves to stay out of Marlboro.

Another program was implemented in September with the “Neighbors App”, allowing police to request doorbell video from residents within particular geographic boundaries to aid in police investigations.

“The heart of the matter is that the criminals see no real downside to stealing. While this problem cannot be solved at the local level, this ordinance, in conjunction with our other efforts, will send the message to criminals that we mean business.”

A fact sheet and download instructions for the Neighbors app and links to Take the Pledge and request a lawn sign are posted on the top of the Township website homepageat www.marlboro-nj.gov.

Hornik's Facebook page also has more information on the proposal.