By Sunayana Prabhu
LINCROFT – A series of organized smash-and-grabs from vehicles parked at Thompson Park may have shifted the focus from brazen car thefts to identity theft. The Monmouth County Park System (MCPS) has put out an advisory to curb the crime while township police continue to urge people to exercise caution.
Cars were broken into – and valuable items stolen – from vehicles parked at Thompson Park around noon Friday, May 12, Middletown police told The Two River Times.
“On Friday, there were four vehicles that were burglarized there at Thompson,” said Chief Paul Bailey of the Middletown Township Police Department. During the afternoon, he said, “Vehicles had their windows either smashed or the window was open, but essentially, the actors gain access to the vehicle and steal contents from within, usually a purse or wallet, something to that effect.”
Connie Goddard, a resident of Tinton Falls who was one of the victims, hopes her experience will warn other people that “organized identity thieves are patrolling parks in Monmouth County for opportunities.”
“They go to the parks because people leave their purses in their car when they go for a hike,” Goddard said. “Whereas if you’re going to a shopping mall, you’ll have your purse with you.”
“I paid a heavy price for my lack of attention.” She had left a window in her car open.
When Goddard returned to her Jeep that day, the thieves had stolen her purse which, aside from including her driver’s license and credit cards, held her health care card and “expensive eyeglasses.”
It was a “crime of opportunity,” she said, but it had not occurred to her that “organized identity thieves would come down and haunt our parks for likely prospects.”
According to Goddard, township police told her to be on the lookout over the next year or longer because identity theft “is a long-term deal.” She said the officer warned her that the suspects may keep trying to use her identity“ at some point in the future. This is a professional operation.”
The MCPS posted an advisory on its website urging visitors to notify park rangers of any suspicious activity in parking lots, but Tom Fobes, superintendent of the park system, said these rash break-ins are not limited to the parks. “There are issues up and down the Eastern Coast with the different types of smash-and-grab in places where people may leave articles or pocketbooks or bags in cars,” he said.
According to the Middletown Township police, this series of burglaries is not a new trend but something that happens from time to time. Organized groups hit county parks, movie theaters and other places where people congregate. They go from car to car to check for any valuables left inside and break in to steal them.
The best way to avoid being victimized is to prevent the situation from happening. Bailey suggested securing valuable articles out of sight, like in a trunk, or taking them with you.
If you do get victimized, Bailey said to “call your local police department right away”; victims must file a police report to get a new driver’s license from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
He also advised victims to take proactive steps in order to guard their identity. Besides canceling credit cards immediately, he suggests notifying your banks as well. He also stressed the importance of monitoring your credit report to be mindful of any potentially fraudulent activity. An identity protection company can help do that.
It would be prudent to keep a “very close eye” on any benefits the victim may receive, Bailey said, “whether it’s their annual tax return, Social Security benefits, any kind of disability payments.”
Bailey noted access to Social Security benefits could provide access to different banking institutions and therefore they also must be notified of theft.
The Thompson Park burglaries are still under investigation. Bailey said he appreciates people who report these incidents to the police in a timely manner because “the information that they provide is often crucial to us getting a successful resolution to these investigations.”
The article originally appeared in the May 18 – 24, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
