Marlboro Ordinance Seeks To Increase Penalties For Car Thieves

MARLBORO, NJ - Following numerous reports of vehicle thefts in Monmouth County, Marlboro officials are proposing strict penalties for car thieves.

A new ordinance first introduced at the Marlboro Township Council’s Nov. 10 meeting proposes a $2,000 fine or up to 90 days in jail for an attempted vehicle theft in the township. This would include trespassing on private property, even if a motor vehicle isn’t actually taken from the area.

A public hearing on the ordinance is slated to take place on Dec. 15; following the hearing, the ordinance may be adopted by the township council.

In September, Mayor Jon Hornik also announced additional police patrols for areas of the township targeted for car thefts. Read more: Car Thefts Prompt More Patrols In Marlboro

In a Facebook post, Hornik said police are seeing certain patterns and will be adjusting patrols based on those patterns. However, those patterns are not being discussed publicly.

It’s one of a number of actions the township has been taking to keep car thefts at bay, and Hornik said the township has reduced successful car thefts by 40 percent.

Marlboro’s ordinance also echoes similar efforts pushed by neighboring municipality Holmdel, which introduced an ordinance on Nov. 22 with the same proposed penalties.

The ordinance would specifically make it illegal for a person to enter or stay on a driveway, paved surface or location within 20 feet a stationary vehicle, as well as:

• Peer into a window of a motor vehicle that the person does not own, license or have permission to access
• Pull a door handle or takes an action in an attempt to open or unlock a motor vehicle that the person does not own or have license or privilege to possess
• Possess an electronic device that is capable of determining if an electronic key is located inside a motor vehicle.

The ordinance will be considered for adoption at the Holmdel Township Committee’s next meeting on Dec. 13.

The ordinances come as vehicle thefts have been on the rise in recent years in Holmdel, Monmouth County and across New Jersey.

Notably, in October, a chaotic series of events involving a carjacked SUV and subsequent police-involved shooting took place on Route 35, resulting in a probe from the state Attorney General’s Office. Read more: Carjacking Charges For Man Shot By Holmdel Police