Bergen Map: How Many Vehicles Were Recently Stolen From Your Area?

HACKENSACK, N.J. – How many cars and SUVs have to be stolen in Bergen County before people stop becoming victims? Local police chiefs have been reminding vehicle owners over and again, but not everyone is listening.

with the number of thefts escalating rapidly, county Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal issued a map this week showing towns with recent thefts.
Photo Credit: *COURTESY: Bergen County Prosecutor / INSET: Courtesy GLEN ROCK PD*

Jerry DeMarco

11/28/2017 12:00 p.m.

So, with the number of thefts escalating rapidly, county Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal issued a map this week showing towns with recent thefts.

Grewal highlighted 30 incidents in 19 Bergen County towns the past month – including more than one vehicle being stolen from the same home in two separate instances.

WATCH THIS VIDEO: Would-be car thief caught on camera

Bands of thieves, mostly from Essex County, come to Bergen County not only because they can find high-end cars – but because the owners make it so easy, authorities say.

Rarely do they break into a car – there’s no need for that.

They simply go for a stroll, testing door handles.

Unlocked vehicles with keys or fobs still inside are gone in seconds.

If no keys are left, the thieves take whatever valuables are there and move on to the neighbors.

If you don’t want to become a victim, you can follow the advice that has been repeated over and again in news stories here and elsewhere:

LOCK YOUR CAR, especially when it’s in your own driveway;
TAKE THE KEYS, especially if you use a fob (think about it);
WATCH OUT for strangers in your neighborhood, especially those walking into or through driveways. If you see any, call police immediately.

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