Howell cops say car burglaries reveal trend

HOWELL – Two simultaneous, early morning burglaries resulted in stolen cars, but police say this isn't a new phenomenon for New Jersey.

At 5:14 a.m. on Sunday, March 17, Howell Township Police were dispatched to the areas of Barrister Court and Vail Lane for burglaries in progress, police said. Both locations are within the same vicinity as each other. Both incidents involved entry into these residences via an unlocked garage window and an unlocked rear sliding door, according to Howell Police. Once the suspects made entry into the house, they stole car keys and other property.

Among the cars stolen were a grey 2024 Range Rover and a 2022 white Cadillac Escalade, police said. At least three suspects, all dressed in black, are believed to be involved in these crimes. The Monmouth County Sheriff's Department responded with a K-9 in an attempt to track the suspects.

At this time, no suspects have been arrested, but the 2024 Range Rover stolen was later recovered in Jersey City by their police department, Howell Police said. Howell Police released an announcement in November regarding the rising trend of motor vehicle thefts in the state, particularly noting that criminals are now “entering homes to locate keys/fobs at an alarming rate.”

“Luxury vehicle makes of our local residents are being routinely targeted after they are tracked, commonly by “Air-Tag” style devices, while parked within shopping/dining districts far removed from our area,” police said in their November statement. “Please be aware of these trends and take precaution to ensure that doors (interior/exterior) providing access to the garage/home remain secured, in addition to where you store the key/fob for your vehicles.”

Police said the thefts have been occurring in the early morning hours between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., targeting high-end vehicles like Land Rovers, Mercedes, BMW and Dodge Hellcats.

Jenna Calderón covers breaking news and cold cases in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Before coming to the Press, she covered The Queen City for Cincinnati Magazine in Ohio. Contact her at 330-590-3903; jcalderon@gannettnj.com