'James Bond Gang' Burglarizing Homes In Affluent New Jersey Areas
CHATHAM TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- They've been at it again – a sophisticated burglary ring targeting homes in affluent areas of New Jersey.
The bandits, who are best known as the "James Bond Gang," have hit dozens of homes in the past year.
The suspects' latest break-in in Chatham Township was caught on video, as CBS 2's Christine Sloan reported Tuesday.
With his face covered, one of the suspects – looking like a bandit right out of a movie – was seen on the surveillance video walking right up to the front door of the home.
Then, instead of kicking in the double door, he bumped it several times with his rear and busted it open. The purpose, more than likely, was to avoid leaving a footprint, police said.
Afterward, his accomplices made their way in.
The suspects were caught on video outside. But once they made it through the doors, they pulled the plugs on the cameras inside and dismantled the alarm system by ripping the panel out of the wall.
They did it all in just seconds.
The bandits mostly took men's and women's jewelry, as well as a high-end pocketbook, Chatham Township Police Detective Sgt. Maureen Kazaba said.
Police would not say how much jewelry was taken, but they were sure the burglars were connected with the so-called James Bond Gang.
The ring gets its name from burglars back in the 1980s, who used 007-style getaway cars – some rigged with revolving license plates.
In the past several months, the gang has broken into homes in Somerset and Morris counties.
On Sandy Hill Road in Chatham Township, surveillance cameras captured the suspects casing the house for 13 minutes.
Part of the time, they were taking a walk around the house to find out where the alarm panel was so they could get in and disable it, police said. Most of the time, there is a short delay – in this case, 30 seconds.
The victimized family was on vacation at the time, and in the surveillance video, several packages could be seen at the front door. Area residents said they have since taken precautions, such as having the Post Office hold their mail when they go away.
"First thing they should do is have a timer on the house, and leave the lights on so the timer goes, and make sure they don't leave papers in the driveway," said Mike Stoddard of Harding Township.
Police said the burglars hit homes near major highways so they could drive off quickly.
Back in 2011, several men were arrested in Bergen County, N.J., for targeting homes in Sparta. Police believe as gang members get imprisoned, new criminals are recruited.
What do you think police need to do to catch the James Bond Gang? Leave your comments below...
