Four expensive automobiles were taken in Millburn over the course of seven days, all with key fobs still inside, according to police documents made public this week.
On July 23, a complaint of a stolen car prompted Millburn Police Officer Crawn to go to a house on Elm Street. The homeowner stated that his Audi A5 was taken from his driveway sometime overnight. The key fob was said to have been left in the unlocked car.
Later, the car was found in Newark.
Crawn attended to a Myrtle Avenue home for an allegation of a car theft later that day. The homeowner stated that his BMW 528i was taken from his driveway sometime overnight. His key fob was still inside the unlocked car.
In Newark, that car was also located.
Another Myrtle Avenue resident claimed a nocturnal break-in to his unsecured car, but nothing was taken.
On July 27, Officer O’Neill was called to a Kean Road home after receiving a complaint of a stolen car. The homeowner claimed that his BMW X7 was taken from his driveway the previous evening at 10:26 p.m. The key fob was said to have been left in the unlocked car.
Later, the car was found in Irvington.
Officer Kerwien responded to a Lakeview Ave. house on Friday, July 29, 2022, at 8:11 a.m. about an allegation of a vehicle theft. The homeowner stated that his Mercedes C30 was taken overnight from his driveway after his key fob was left in the car.
At 10:50 a.m. the same day, Kerwien saw the car on White Oak Ridge Road close to Canoe Brook Road. After spotting cops, the car accelerated away quickly.
The officer was unable to pursue the stolen car because of fear for his safety, according to the police.
A “Lock It Or Lose It” campaign was launched in New Jersey in 2020 to persuade people to avoid leaving their automobiles unlocked with the keys inside.
