UPDATE: Two Stolen Cars Reported in Morris Twp.

Morris Township Police said there were two cars stolen from residents' driveways on Friday. 

"At this point we are working under the assumption that they are related," said Capt. Richard Ferrone, when asked if these incidents may be connected and if they are connected to the recent string of car thefts in Franklin Lakes that occured last Friday as well.

A Wood Road resident and a Normandy Boulevard resident both woke up to find their vehicles missing. The Wood Road resident had a black 2012 BMW SUV that was unlocked. The Normandy Boulevard resident had a white 2011 BMW SUV. 

Morris Township police believe the cars were taken between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. 

Early Saturday morning, officers responded to a Gaston Road residence where a burglary took place. The resident had been out between 5:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Friday night and did not discover the alleged burglary until turning in for the night around 1:40 a.m., which is when the resident contacted police.

Police believe the apparent burglar came in through an unlocked rear sliding door and that valuables in the master bedroom were the target. The resident reported a collection of silver coins missing with an approximate value of $10,000. 

Later on Saturday, around 10 p.m., Morris Township officers responded to a possible break-in at a residence on Knollwood Road.

Officers said they found someone had tried to force their way in through a kitchen window. The officers also believed that the suspect failed to enter the residence after hearing a dog barking and seeing the lights turned on by the resident who was awakened by the noise.

Police also believe that the home may have been targeted because the homeowner had been away for the day. Morris Township Police were assisted by members from the Morris County Sheriff’s Department’s K9 and Crime Scene Services. 

On Sunday, officers responded to a home on Bradford Court with a reported theft from a car. The victim reported that sometime during the overnight hours, someone went into the two cars parked in the driveway. Both cars were unlocked and police said it appears only an iPod was taken. 

Any members of the public having information on these incidents are urged to contact the Morris Township Police Department at 973-539-0777. 

At the township committee meeting Wednesday night, the committee members discussed these recent burglaries and stolen cars.

"I have been been … having conversations with the chief of police in regards to how we’re getting this information out to all the neighbors. Our head of operations, Captain Ferone, has been very thoughtful in getting this information out through … news outlets. The reason is not to scare people but to make sure we keep our eyes and ears open," said Bruce Sisler, deputy mayor. "We’re getting this information out to our neighborhood watch captains and we have (several) neighborhood watch groups throughout Morris Township to make sure we inform the citizens and to make sure that people know that most of these burglaries and cars that have been stolen or robbed was because they were unlocked … unlocked doors, windows. Be very diligent. If you see something don’t be afraid to call the police department. It’s very important that we as a community work together."

He added that if you’re going away on vacation, the township has a Home Check program run by the police department and that there’s a form on the website.

“You can have your home checked on everyday to make sure there is a presence there," said Sisler. 

On the Morris Twp. Police Department website, it lists about 35 neighborhood watch groups in the township.

“It sounds so simple to say to people to lock your doors and cars, but even something as simple as (using) the alarm in your house," said Committeeman H. Scott Rosenbush. "We sometimes get a little complacent. I happen to know that one of the robberies that took place a couple of weeks ago, the homeowner wasn’t gone for more than half an hour and they have an alarm and they didn’t set it. It would have saved them, not just the emotional cost, but the aggravation of dealing with a ransacked home and a lot of lost items. Common sense, a little extra diligence goes a long way."

Mayor Peter Mancuso added the suggestion to leave your television set on when you’re not home to deter burglers. 

Residents are reminded to always leave their home looking like it’s occupied, said Morris Township police. Criminals will almost always look for the easiest possible targets. While no one can guarantee 100 percent that no one will break into your home, these tips will reduce the likelihood significantly and can turn your house from a target into something a person will not want to even attempt breaking into:

• keeping exterior lights on at night
• making sure there aren’t tall bushes that someone can hide behind
• bringing in newspapers and garbage cans
• keeping all of your doors (including garage doors) locked and installing safety windows
• Residents are also reminded not to leave valuables in their vehicles and to secure them when leaving them outside. 
• If possible, park in a well lit area or in an area covered by a motion light. 
• Residents are always asked to immediately report any suspicious activity to the police by dialing 9-1-1. 

More information can be gained by going to http://www.crimepreventiontips.org/