In Washington Township, New Jersey, local authorities are investigating a series of car thefts and break-ins that occurred over the past week. Surveillance footage has captured one suspect involved in these incidents. A vehicle was stolen within seconds after the suspect entered it, while several other cars were also targeted. Residents have been urged to take extra precautions to secure their vehicles.

The police department released video evidence showing an individual wearing a light-colored hoodie entering a Cadillac Escalade parked in a driveway last Thursday. Within moments, the car was started and driven away. The getaway driver left first, followed by the suspect in the Escalade. This incident took place around 1:20 a.m. on Stratton Lane. Authorities noted that both stolen vehicles were left unlocked with keys inside.

Police Chief Patrick Gurcsik commented on the complacency among residents regarding vehicle security. He emphasized how easy it is for people to leave keys in their cars or forget to lock them. In addition to the thefts, approximately six cars have been broken into recently, many of which were also left unlocked. One victim, Damian Polizzi, noticed his glove box had been opened and realized his wallet had been stolen. Video from a neighbor captured the suspect entering Polizzi's car early Sunday morning.

Polizzi shared his experience on social media through his pizza shop’s Facebook page to warn others about the importance of locking their vehicles. He mentioned that the suspects made various stops using his stolen credit card, including visiting McDonald’s and purchasing gas at Wawa. The community has been advised to ensure their cars are locked at night and that they keep their keys safe. Ideally, parking vehicles in a garage can provide additional protection.

Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and take necessary measures to prevent such incidents. Authorities continue to investigate and seek leads to recover the stolen vehicles and apprehend those responsible. By raising awareness and improving security practices, the hope is to reduce the likelihood of similar occurrences in the future.