Thieves Net $13,000 In Three Car Break-Ins
Three break-ins within two days in bustling plazas
The Linwood Plaza mall on Fletcher Avenue is usually bustling with patrons at 4:20p.m., but the presence of shoppers and time of day did not preclude thieves from crimes of opportunity.
The owner of a 2011 Nissan Versa lost a Kate Spade diaper bag, a small digital camera, and a large Nikon camera with interchangeable lenses valued at approximately $3000 after a would-be-thief or thieves shattered the rear passenger side window on April 21.
“Unless you’re standing on the side of the car, you wouldn’t be able to hear the guy break the window because they just use a [window] punch,” said Fort Lee Police Captain Roy Bortolus. “The window just shatters and falls into the car. There’s no big mess.”
Approximately two hours later, another burglary was reported at the Palisade Plaza strip mall in the rear parking lot of the Bank of America at 154 Main Street off Palisade Avenue. After getting her nails done, the owner of 2011 Honda Accord found her passenger side window shattered and her Juicy Couture bag stolen from the front passenger seat.
The next day, at approximately 4:04p.m., a third break in occurred at the Washington Bridge Plaza mall parking lot at 2151 Lemoine Avenue. After shattering the rear driver’s side window of a 2010 Audi Q5, the crook made off with a Louis Vuitton bag containing $10,000 in cash and a large amount of jewelry.
Although property management of the Palisade Plaza strip mall and the Washington Bridge Plaza mall will tow anyone who parks and leaves the property, they do not have uniformed security personnel monitoring the lots.
But Bortolus believes shoppers are giving thieves convenient opportunities to “smash and grab” when owners leave valuables in their vehicles; many times in plain site.
“The woman in Washington Bridge mall went back to her car once and there was no problem, and then she went back again and found it broken into,” Bortolus explained.
While the recent rash of burglaries may or may not be connected, according to authorities, police hope members of the public will report suspicious activities and provide leads.
“We had this [situation] down in Hudson Terrace and eventually we caught somebody because people that live down there knew their cars were getting broken into and called us,” Bortolus said. “The public has to have their eyes open too. We can’t be everywhere – not with the depleting manpower.”
Anyone with information regarding the burglaries may contact the Fort Lee Police Detective Bureau at (201) 592-3510.
Rona
12:02 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Who drives around with $10k in cash?
William Mays
4:47 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Thats what I was thinking, my wife always takes her bag with her when we leave the car. Also, why would you leave a $3000 dollar camera in the car? I always take my Nikon and other valuables with me. Having a nice car is enough to attract a thief, but leaving a Louis Vitton bag in the car? Thats just plain stupid, especially when you have 10k in there. And seriously, who drives around with 10k? The most I keep in my wallet is $200 and on some occasions more if I know I'm going to go out for lunch.
Donna Brennan
8:10 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
What is your point?
Rona
8:49 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
It sounds like someone is trying to somehow collect from insurance. Although I don't think it's possible.
Paul Umrichin
1:26 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Donna I thought the same thing too. Why would you have let alone leave in the open in the car, $10,000 in cash?
Luca D.
1:52 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Last I looked, drug dealers and money launderers don't submit insurance claims.
William Mays
4:47 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Thats what I was thinking.
Donna Brennan
4:37 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Part 1.
Just as a side, but, important.
About a year ago, my locked car was broken into at The Edgewater Multiplex Cinema on River Rd. About $2,300.00 worth of equipment I use for work and recorded material needed for my work was stolen. All of equipment had to be replaced by me and the material for my work gone. Nothing was in view, nor, was the car left open. Upon notifying the security at the theater about the theft, they told me they couldn't do anything, but, I could file a police report. According to the Edgewater Police, the criminal/s separated the rubber sealant around the window on the drivers side and opened my car door this way and took what they wanted.
After the fact, I learned some important information. This was not unusual for the car to have been broken into. Cars do get broken into there. Fact. Additionally, at the time (things may of changed) Edgewater's Multicineplex Theater takes no responsibility for lost or stolen property. The security guard/s they do have, only work nights when the theater parking lot is crowed. This is after 8 pm, for parking lot surveillance. They have a mini SUV to patrol the lot. ( I parked my car around 4:30pm. for an early movie.) There are no cameras in the lobby or hallways of the theater, nor, are there cameras on outside of the building.
Donna Brennan
4:40 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Part 2.
Security may of changed since it has been a year since my car was broken into there. My point is, even if your car is locked, do not have a faulty sense of security. In an ideal world we should be able to leave our property in our cars and not worry. However, this is far from a reality. Don't leave valuables in the car. Thieves, will gain access to any car if they want to. And, don't park your car in between 2 SUV's. Criminals can have a field day gaining access into a vehicle completely blocked by the height of the surrounding SUVs.
Tracy Mattei
4:44 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
That just stinks Donna! you must have been devastated!
---we got hit twice in our own driveway it, is infuriating!
It also brings up another point--- IF you see something that looks odd when you are in a parking lot, be a good neighbor and call the police or call out to scare them, just don't do nothing!
William Mays
4:48 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
My wife always takes her bag with her when we leave the car. Also, why would you leave a $3000 dollar camera in the car? I always take my Nikon and other valuables with me. Having a nice car is enough to attract a thief, but leaving a Louis Vitton bag in the car? Thats just plain stupid, especially when you have 10k in there. And seriously, who drives around with 10k? The most I keep in my wallet is $200 and on some occasions more if I know I'm going to go out for lunch.
Donna Brennan
5:32 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
You're not allowed by law to bring in any recording devices.
Your making it appear as if honest people don't have rights, or, that they are stupid. Lighten up. There is a reason for everything.
William Mays
6:53 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
My comment wasn't meant at you. And people are stupid if they leave their bags in the car.
carol simon
6:19 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Donna, I'm sorry you were violated
Donna Brennan
11:05 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Thank you, Carol for your kind thought :-)
Toni M.
10:37 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Hard lesson learned about leaving items in cars - when a co worker's car was being vandalized by a thug in our company parking lot, she happened to be walking out and screamed "what are you doing in my car". Not only did the thug take her GPS, he also knocked her down and hurt her as he got away.
Donna Brennan
11:54 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Billy Mays....No offense taken, but, you made an accusatory statement about a person without knowing all the facts. We don't know why, the $10,000.00 in cash was left in her car. Instead of jumping to conclusions, you could of shown some compassion. That's all.
William Mays
3:21 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
I can't show compassion to someone that leaves that kind of money in their car. Even if they had just returned from the bank, take it with you, seriously.
Donna Brennan
5:13 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
Tracy, I'm sorry to hear you were robed as well, and twice at that in your own driveway. You bring up a good pint and that is to be vigilant of your surroundings. If something looks suspicious, don't don't be afraid to report it, it may just be doing someone a favor.
Donna Brennan
5:24 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
Billy, someone might think you were stupid for not locking up your money in the glove compartment of your car if you were robbed while walking around with $200.00-$300.00. Some people, might even view this as a lot of money. It's all relative. Maybe, this woman's $10,000.00 is equivalent to your $200.00. You don't know her economical background. Nor, do you of know her reasoning behind the decision to leave the money in the car. Just things to consider before hurling accusations about the victim in this robbery.
William Mays
7:18 pm on Sunday, April 29, 2012
Donna, as most of the people around here know, my economical status is pretty good. Doesn't mean I'm gonna leave 10k in my car. Also, a Q5 is a nice car, but rich people don't really drive around in those. That's more like an upper middle class car.
Toni M.
7:27 pm on Sunday, April 29, 2012
Economical means sparing in the use of resources or money. Odd that an "investment banker at GS" would get that wrong.
William Mays
10:02 pm on Sunday, April 29, 2012
Umm, I hope you realize that most wealthy people don't drive around with 10k in their bags. I know what economical means, and if you drive around with that much, you're really stupid.