String Of Unlocked Car Thefts Prompts Reminder From Ho-Ho-Kus Police

HO-HO-KUS, NJ — Ho-Ho-Kus Police are reminding people to lock their car doors after three reports of thefts of unlocked, parked cars in the borough this year, Captain Greg McBain said in an interview.

Since the start of 2021, a total of eight vehicles have been reported stolen to Ho-Ho-Kus police, and nearly all of them were unlocked with the keys or key fobs inside, McBain said.

"We are doing all we can to prevent these crimes from happening," he said. "But until people start to lock their cars and take their keys with them, our hands are tied."

The reminder, which was first shared Tuesday in a Facebook post, comes after the theft of an unlocked, parked car just last week, McBain said.

"Car thefts are crimes of opportunity," he said, "and people will just pull on door handles and take whatever is inside or the car itself, if it is left unlocked."

If there is suspicious activity going on in the area, Ho-Ho-Kus police said to contact headquarters at 201-652-1700.