Lacey Police Warn Of 'Smash And Grab' Thefts In The Area

LACEY, NJ — Local police are continuing to warn residents of the rising trend of "smash and grab" burglaries in the area.

In these thefts, valuables are left in plain sight while cars are parked at local businesses or parks, police said.

As the name suggests, burglars break through car windows to steal said valuables.

These crimes are of course not unique to Lacey. In April, Manahawkin police were investigating two burglaries where a car's passenger window was smashed and a purse was stolen. Read more: 2 Vehicle Burglaries Under Investigation In Manahawkin: Police

Lacey police offered the following tips to avoid being the victim of these crimes.

• Secure your vehicles at all times by locking the doors.
• Do not leave items in your vehicle that may be of interest to a criminal, or that would encourage the criminal to enter your vehicle.
• If you have anything of value, consider securing it in the trunk of the vehicle, even if it to just run into a store.
• Park in well lit areas, close to any buildings.
• Report any suspicious activity. Report any break-ins to your vehicle.