Jewelry Stolen from Smoke Hollow Trail Home

A home on Smoke Hollow Trail was burglarized Monday evening. According to Lt. John Bakelaar, the home was entered through an unlocked rear window. The interior of the home was ransacked and an undetermined amount of jewely, including a safe, was taken. 

This is the sixth home burglary reported this year in Franklin Lakes. The first occurred Jan. 10 on Sunset Terrace, the second on Jan. 27 on High Woods Drive and the third in March on Orchard Lane.

On March 29 and 30, two more homes were burglarized, one on Clark Road and the other on Huckleberry Lane. Those break-ins were believed to be part of a resurgence of the James Bond Gang, who were arrested in connection with burglaries in Mahwah. 

The Franklin Lakes police department offers the following tips to help safeguard your home against burglary:

• Give your house the appearance of being occupied when you are away from home, by leaving lights on in areas of the home that would normally be used after dark and using outdoor lighting. Keeping lights on a timer is a good idea.
• Always lock all doors and windows before leaving your home and if you have an alarm system, make sure it is turned on.
• Don't leave a spare key in obvious locations outside your home.
• Don't leave notes on your house that say you are not home. 
• Ask a neighbor to watch for, and pick up, any packages scheduled for delivery while you are out.
• If you are going away, ask a trusted neighbor to check on your home periodically.
• If you plan on being away for any length of time, cancel your mail, newspaper subscriptions and any other scheduled deliveries, and take advantage of the department's Vacant House Check service.
• Be aware of suspicious vehicles or individuals and report them to the police.