Police Investigate Rash of Break-Ins In Washington Township

By Diana Rocco

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J., (CBS) -- A rash of car, shed and home break-ins in Washington Township, New Jersey has police issuing a warning to residents.

"I would just encourage the community one to lock their cars, lock their doors, make sure their garage door is closed, protect their property that they work hard for," said Washington Township Lt. Dennis Sims.

Since August, police say 51 cars, 19 sheds and six homes have been broken into. So far, police have made two arrests, leaving them with hundreds if not thousands of dollars in unclaimed valuables – rings, watches, cell phones, GPS devices and electronics. Just this week, two of the alleged burglars were caught on home surveillance video allegedly stealing tools from a pickup truck parked in a driveway on Haddock Drive in Sewell around 3 a.m. Monday. The two males look to be in their late teens or early twenties.

"They look to be pretty comfortable. They look to be quite at ease. So in my experience would tell me that this is certainly not the first time that they've done this," said Lt. Sims.

Police believe the pair are responsible for some but not all of the recent break-ins.

"Now knowing this, we're all kind of going to be a little bit more aware, a little bit more in touch with each other," said neighbor Mike DeRose.

Neighbors on the block are now taking extra precautions and keeping an eye out for each other.

"We pretty much are cautious any way, we keep our doors locked, there's usually somebody around," said neighbor Robert DiValentino.

Police believe they are not dealing with just one group of burglars, but several.  If you recognize any of the stolen items, think you may have been a victim of a crime, or if you have information for police, they are asking you give them a call.