Nearby Car Thefts Prompt 'Lock It or Lose It' Warning in Wyckoff

A string of recent car thefts in nearby towns has prompted the Wyckoff PD to once again remind resident to “lock it or lose it.”

According to Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox, the recent thefts are reminiscent of a rash of car-related thefts that hit Wyckoff and Franklin Lakes a year ago.

“Towns adjacent to Wyckoff have had a marked increase in the past few weeks of thefts of property from cars parked in homeowners’ driveways,” the township warned in a recent public service announcement. “The thefts typically occur during the overnight hours and in every instance, the vehicle has been left unlocked.”

Fox pointed to a recent incident in Tenafly in which two luxury cars were stolen from the same driveway, and other nearby incidents in which cars were not taken, but expensive items, like iPads or cell phones, stolen from unlocked cars.

“About a year ago, we had a whole bunch of these,” Fox said. “And, all you need to do is push the button on your [car’s] clicker, for crying out loud. Push the clicker, protect your personal property, that’s it.”