Police said they received complaints from 10 residents on Tuesday that their vehicles had been entered and valuables taken from within, as well as one stolen car.
According to Police Chief Leon Krolikowski, the thefts occurred in the early morning hours of Independence Day on upper Elm Street, Graystone Circle, Millport Avenue, Richmond Hill Road, Sunrise Avenue and West Hills Road.
A 2015 Porsche with the keys left inside it was stolen from Graystone Circle, but later recovered (and currently under investigation).
Wallets, cash, credit cards, drivers’ licenses, a cellphone and other valuables were stolen from the other cars, all left unlocked.
“These crimes may have been prevented,” Krolikowski said in a press bulletin. He issued the following safety tips to residents:
- Keys: Never leave the keys to your home or car inside a vehicle or in a place where a thief can find them.
- Light Up Your Home: At night, keep the perimeter of your home & driveway well lit. Low energy lighting switched on and off by photoelectric sensors (low light switches) is a cost-effective way to discourage criminals.
- Lock Up: Always lock all doors and windows of your car and home whenever you leave, day or night, even for a short time. If you have a garage, put your car in it and lock/alarm both the car and the garage. Virtually all of the thefts from vehicles and vehicle thefts that occur in our town involve unlocked vehicles.
- Secure Valuables: Never leave valuables in your vehicle. Often, identity theft occurs when drivers’ licenses and credit cards are stolen.
- Use Your Alarm System: Always activate your home and car alarm systems. Many successful crimes that occur in our town involve houses or cars that have alarm systems that were not activated.