Morristown Named 'Hot Spot' For Car Thefts In Morris County

MORRISTOWN, NJ — As car thefts and vehicle crime continue to plague New Jersey, members of Morris County's various police departments have issued public safety warnings to all residents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has designated July as National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month. This month is expected to see a significant increase in car thefts, as it has in the previous two years.

According to Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, July has traditionally been the busiest month for auto thefts.

While law enforcement efforts have shown great promise thus far, with auto theft down 49.35 percent countywide compared to the same time last year, continued cooperation from citizens is critical to reducing theft opportunities.

"Please do your part and be mindful of this crime trend. Be vigilant in securing your vehicle properly and be sure to share any captured alarming or odd surveillance footage with the Morris County Sheriff's Office or your local law enforcement agency,” Morris County Sheriff James Gannon said.

According to the Prosecutor's Office, Morristown and Morris Township are two of the major hotspots in Morris County. Popular vehicles targeted by thieves include BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover and Honda.

Morris County accounts for 1.1 percent of all stolen vehicles in the state. So far in 2023, 72 percent of vehicles stolen in Morris County have been left unlocked.

These criminal organizations have been targeting neighborhoods where they believe vehicles are unlocked. Thieves frequently operate at night and target luxury vehicles, Carroll said. A concerning trend is that recent criminal activity has included burglaries and home invasions, increasing the risk of confrontation with homeowners.

"A great number of cars stolen in Morris County were taken because the key fob was left inside. We implore residents not to allow criminals to take advantage of their forgetfulness – get into the routine of taking your fob with you when you park. Alarmingly, there have been instances of thieves using garage door openers to access homes, potentially setting up a confrontation with residents,” Carroll said.

Here is a breakdown of car thefts in Morris County and New Jersey:

Carroll stated that Morris County Law Enforcement is working together to disrupt these organized thieves. One strategy is to purchase and deploy Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) at strategic locations throughout Morris County as part of a coordinated statewide network.

This technology is being implemented in accordance with the guidelines established by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office.

Law enforcement is asking the public to help by taking precautionary measures to secure their homes, garages and vehicles.

"Would-be thieves have ways of determining which vehicles contain key fobs without needing to look inside. We have seen organized groups target a neighborhood, and steal multiple cars and valuables from inside unsecured vehicles. Making your car inaccessible is the greatest deterrent,” Morris County Police Chiefs Association President Johnson said.