Car Thefts Spur Countywide Reminder About Key Fobs

Following two reported thefts of luxury vehicles from Bernardsville mountain at the end of March, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office has issued warnings to all residents in Somerset County to stress vehicle security and to avoid leaving key fobs in or nearby vehicles with start buttons.

The recent thefts include a Jeep Grand Cherokee, locked but with a key fob inside, and a 2012 Lexus SUV RX350, valued at about $50,000, Bernardsville police said.

Lexus of Bridgewater apparently had left the vehicle unlocked in the driveway, with the key in the cupholder, possibly as a loaner, according to the police report.

This week, Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano and Somerset County Chief of Detectives Stuart A. Buckman issued an advisory to all residents of Somerset County that noted a common auto theft technique for car thieves is to travel in a group of three or four to areas within the county looking for vehicles that have key fob starters.

"The thieves are usually educated in what type of vehicles utilizes these kinds of devices. Law enforcement has observed that many individuals who have these types of vehicles leave the key fob in the vehicle to make their lives a little easier," said the news release from the prosecutor's office.

The car thieves can saturate a neighborhood looking for unlocked vehicles and try the start button to see if the vehicle can be driven, the release said. If the vehicle does start, the thief will then drive away in the vehicle to meet a re-seller, the prosecutor advised.

The Prosecutor’s office also cautioned residents not to leave the key fob hanging in the garage or in close proximity to the vehicle.

Sometimes the fob need not be in the vehicle for it to start. All vehicle owners should be aware to lock your vehicle and keep any items of value out of view," the prosecutor's office advised.

Don't leave garage door openers in unlocked vehicle

The prosecutor's office also asked residents to be conscious of any garage door openers you leave in an unlocked or unattended vehicles. "It now becomes a gateway to the interior of your home," the prosecutor's office said in the release.

"If you should see a suspicious vehicle or individuals in your neighborhood, please call your local police department immediately. If possible, without placing yourself in any danger, try to take note of the type and color of vehicle or a description of the individuals," the release said.

The police department in Bernardsville is 908-766-0037, while Bernards Township police can be reached at 908-766-1122.