Beware Of 'Subjects Prowling Around Homes Overnight' In Bergen County: Police Chief

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Several homeowners reported home and car break-ins and attempted break-ins to the Glen Rock police in the beginning of August — and it's part of a trend of prowlers being spotted in towns in the "region," the police chief said Monday.

"The Glen Rock Police Department, and law enforcement agencies throughout the region, have been continuing to receive reports of subjects prowling around homes overnight," said Police Chief Dean Ackermann on Monday morning. "They are looking for unlocked vehicles and homes, as well as key fobs left in vehicles. The public is reminded to always lock your homes, your vehicles, your bicycles. Never leave key fobs or valuables in your vehicles and promptly report any suspicious activity.

"If you see someone prowling around your home, do not confront them and call 9-1-1 immediately. Numerous arrests have been made for these types of crimes, yet they continue to occur. Personal vigilance is your best defense."

In Glen Rock, some residence only knew of the prowlers because they spotted them on surveillance video.

One such sighting involved three men prowling around in black ski masks and gloves, a resident said.

Here are the break-ins and break-in attempts that occurred in that town in just two days in August:

Possible Wrong Address

On Saturday, Aug. 3, at 5:30 a.m., a resident called police, saying a man had tried to enter the Crestwood Drive home ten minutes earlier.

Police said they couldn't find anyone in the area or signs of attempted forced entry to the home.

When police saw the video, they said it showed a "young" man "who appeared to be in an intoxicated state, stumbled onto the front steps of the home and open the storm door. The subject then tried using the door lock keypad in an unsuccessful effort to unlock the front door. The subject then walked away and left the area."

The Detective Bureau is reviewing the images.

But the next day, police heard about a different type of trespassing.

Three Men In Ski Masks

On Sunday, Aug. 4, at 8:15 a.m., A Fairview resident said that home video surveillance showed three men in black ski masks and gloves "prowling around their home" around 9:49 p.m. the night before.

"The subjects walked up the driveway and went around the side of the home," police said. "They were next seen walking across the street. All three were wearing black ski masks and had black gloves on. An officer responded to the residence and found nothing to be out of order. The video images were provided for the Detective Bureau to review."

Attempt On A Bicycle

Also that morning, around 8:49 a.m., a resident of Gramercy Place found video of a man trying to enter a vehicle in their driveway around 4:17 a.m.

The vehicle was locked, and the suspect left on a bicycle.

"The video showed the actor to be a male subject with a 'thin strap' beard, wearing black sweatpants, black shoes, and a white t-shirt," police said. "Video footage was provided by the resident and is being reviewed by the Detective Bureau."

$5K In Items Stolen

Later that day, at 1:25 p.m., someone reported that their unlocked Range Rover was entered, with at least $5,000 in items stolen. Read more about that here.

Kicked In The Door

And that evening, at 5:58 p.m., police headed to a home on Boulevard to investigate a report from a neighbor that someone had forced entry into a vacant home that's undergoing renovations.

"Responding officers found that the front door had been kicked in and entry gained to the home," police said. "The scene was processed by crime scene investigators from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department BCI. The matter has been referred to the Detective Bureau."