Several Burglaries in Fanwood Over Past Few Weeks

Fanwood police are currently investigating six separate home and vehicle burglaries that occurred over the past two weeks.

Lt. Richard Trigo said that his department believes it knows the motives behind a few of them, but the others may just be attributed to an increase in burglaries that's typically seen closer to the holidays. As a result, the borough will be putting out unmarked patrol cars in residential and business areas in the coming weeks.

• The first burglary occurred sometime between 10 p.m. Nov. 6 and 2 p.m. Nov 7. A resident on Oak Court told police that someone entered their home and removed approximately $250. There was no forced entry. 
• Then sometime between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 7, a resident of the 100 block of Helen Street reported that an unknown person removed a bicycle, valued at approximately $100, from their property.
• Sometime between 3:30 p.m. Nov. 6 and 9 p.m. Nov 7, a resident of Third Street reported that someone attempted to pry open a window of their home to gain entry. The lock on the window was snapped, however entry was not gained. 
• Sometime between 4:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12, a resident of the 100 block of LaGrande Avenue reported that someone broke into their home by breaking the lock on the rear door and stole various items, including approximately $5,000 in jewelry. 
• Sometime between 5 p.m. Nov. 15 and 4:30 p.m. Nov. 16, a resident of the 100 block of Madison Avenue reported that an unknown person entered their shed and removed a leaf blower. 
• At 6:30 p.m. Nov. 18, a resident of South Plainfield parked her vehicle at a business on the 100 block of South Avenue, only to return and discover that a bag, valued at approximately $350, was stolen. Inside the bag were various credit cards, $950 in cash and personal papers.

Police are looking into all of the incidents.

“During the holidays we always tell people to be more cautious,” Trigo said. "There’s a lot of quick-grabbing items in the house. When people are out shopping, burglaries usually pick up. Be more aware of locking your homes, setting alarms and stuff like that.”

Trigo particularly warned of the dangers in store parking lots and garages. Aside from making sure you don’t leave valuables or recent purchases out in plain view in the car, he also advised residents to be very aware of their surroundings. 

“What ends up happening is you go to the Short Hills Mall, take whatever parking spot you can find, no matter how far it is, then you’re leaving the mall and you’re talking on the phone or to someone you met there, and you realize there’s only 10 cars left in the lot,” Trigo said. “Make sure no one is under the car. Look in the vehicle.”