Criminal Groups Targeting Certain Morris County Communities For Thefts, Officials Say

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Morris County saw a marked decrease in auto thefts last year as statewide numbers went up, authorities said in a summary of crime trends over 2023. However, burglars have been canvasing specific communities for home break-ins or luxury cars to steal, officials added.

The number of vehicle thefts decreased 27.8 percent countywide, from 273 in 2022 to 197 in 2023, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and several other law enforcement officials noted in a news release Thursday. Statewide, the number has been steadily increasing, with 16,605 motor vehicle thefts reported last year.

Local authorities attribute the Morris County decrease, in part, to the combined efforts of the Prosecutor's Office, Sheriff's Office, Morris County Auto Theft Task Force, and municipal departments.

Citizens' "continued vigilance" will supplement coordinated law enforcement strategies to reduce opportunities for criminals to strike, authorities said, while again reminding residents to always make sure their homes and vehicles are properly locked.

"It is important to note that criminals are entering unlocked cars or homes or breaking into residences in search of key fobs and other valuables, escalating the danger of confrontation with homeowners," said authorities.

Officials said criminal groups use "drop cars" to bring multiple people to a neighborhood at once, where they look for unlocked doors and target luxury brand vehicles. Thieves usually operate during the weekdays, often during overnight hours, authorities said. Hot spots for these types of crimes include Randolph, Morris Township, Montville, Morristown, Mountain Lakes, and Parsippany, officials noted.

Prosecutor Carroll added that networks operating in the county use minors to break into cars and homes, knowing that criminal penalties are not as strict for underage defendants.

"Our goal is to break the chain of conduct being exhibited by juvenile offenders, leading them away from the path of becoming career criminals as adults," he said.

The Prosecutor's Office Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, and Morris County Police Chief’s Association President Michael Koroski (also the Morris Plains Police Chief) joined Carroll in asking residents to be proactive by securing their homes and vehicles.

Gannon said that partnerships between residents and the police are working, but that criminals are becoming "more aggressive and dangerous."

"Educating our citizens, proactive diligent police patrols, and good intelligence- driven detective work is making a difference, but there is still more to be done," he said.

Click here to read the full news release on the Morris County Prosecutor's Office website.