Double Dose Of 007 Burglaries

Unoccupied Franklin Lakes homes were the targets of two burglaries reminiscent of the recent burglaries in Mahwah, police said.

According to Franklin Lakes Lt. John Bakelaar, a vacant home on Clark Road was burglarized on Wednesday. He said the burglars gained entry by forcing open the front door, and telephone lines had been cut. The home had recently been sold, Bakelaar said.

Similarly, a home on Huckleberry Lane was burglarized between 3 and 10:20 p.m. Tuesday, Bakelaar said. According to police, the phone line had been cut, front door forced open and the master bedroom ransacked. An unknown amount of jewelry was stolen from the home, Bakelaar said.

The , of a very similar nature, were suspected to have been carried out by an offshoot of the James Bond Gang, according to Mahwah Police.

The James Bond Gang received that nickname in the 1990’s because they used a rigged getaway car in an attempt to hide from police. The vehicle was able to shut off its rear and license plate illumination lights, and had secret compartments inside in which burglars could hide stolen merchandise.  

The offshoot is now operating in Rockland, Passaic and Bergen counties, according to Mahwah police.

Franklin Lakes Police offered tips to residents on how to avoid being targeted.

Lt. John Bakelaar said “the Franklin Lakes Police Department would like to once again remind residents that in order to prevent a burglary to their home, it is important that the house appear as though it is occupied.  Placing timers on a few lights throughout out the house will easily accomplish that task.”

He added, “a residential alarm system alone is not enough to prevent a burglary.”