Cops Investigate Link Between 3 Home Invasions in Franklin Lakes and Wyckoff

A recent string of burglaries targeting empty homes in Franklin Lakes and Wyckoff could be related, police say, and local authorities are warning residents to take the necessary steps to protect their possessions.

Homeowners at two Sunset Terrace residences reported burglaries that took place during the early evening hours of Jan. 3, according to .

In both incidents one or more suspects gained entry to the homes by smashing out rear glass sliding doors, according to police. Thieves targeted the master bedrooms, and one homeowner said a safe was removed from the home.

A complete list of missing property has yet to be provided by the victims.

Police have no leads on suspects, according to Franklin Lakes Police Lt. John Bakelaar.

"The houses are located on the same street and only a few properties apart," Bakelaar said Monday. "The one home was alarmed and the alarm was activated which is how we discovered the burglary." 

That same evening on Cedar Court in Wyckoff, just a 10 minute drive southeast on Route 208, burglars smashed the rear glass door of another home, setting off a burglar alarm, according to .

The crooks quickly made their way to the master bedroom of the unoccupied home, grabbing an unspecified amount of jewelry and running off, according to police.

Burglars know they usually have a small window of time following a tripped security alarm in which to steal some loot and make their escape, Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox said.

He called the "routine burglary" on the evening of Jan. 3 "a violation of personal space" that could have been prevented.

A nearby resident identified a suspicious vehicle around the time of the burglary but didn't tell police until they came knocking during their investigation after the robbery was reported, according to Fox.

"If you see a suspicious vehicle give us a call," Fox said.

Chief Fox has issued advice to prevent home invasions to township residents in the past.

Just to use timers to make their homes appear occupied when away for any extended period of time.

"Basically you want your home to look like every house on the street depending on the time of day," Fox said. "We see some houses in the middle of the night all lit up because the owners simply turn on lights and leave them on while they are away."

Fox also recommended stopping newspaper and mail delivery while on vacation, or asking neighbors to drop by to collect them.

Lt. Bakelaar couldn't confirm that the burglary in Wyckoff was related to the crimes on his turf, but said that his department was investigating the connection.

He also told residents to create the appearance that their homes are occupied when they go on vacation. 

"One suggestion would be to connect some interior lights to timers," Bakelaar said. "Houses that are in complete or virtual darkness is a clear sign to potential burglars that the home is vacant."

Fox added that in the first week in January, Wyckoff residents reported five incidents of thieves entering their cars and stealing various electronic items.

What do those incurring losses usually have in common?

"Years and years I've been dealing with this problem," Fox said. "The only people who are victims are people who don't lock their [car] doors."

The thieves aren't smashing car windows, merely looking for the easy grab, Fox said. In many cases, prevention is usually as simple as remembering to lock your car door.

Franklin Lakes Police also reported the theft of a $1,100 snow blower from the unlocked garage of one High Mountain Road resident sometime during the first week of January. Franklin Lakes Police were investigating the incident.

Franklin Lakes has been experiencing  from their driveways of owners.