Burglary Spree In NJ Town Leaves Residents On Edge

SADDLE BROOK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A burglary spree has left residents in several Saddle Brook neighborhoods on edge.

Police said four different homes were hit on Thursday and Friday. The perpetrators used forced entry at every location, breaking down doors and smashing windows to get inside before stealing computers, laptops, cash and jewelry, police said.

"Quiet neighborhood, so it's pretty scary to think that's going on right in our backyard," resident Linda Pfefferkorn told CBS2's Mark Morgan.

"I was nervous," said resident Dolores Kozlowicz. "My husband's away hunting and then I go to sleep at night, I'm afraid."

The residents of one of the homes that was hit did not want to be interviewed, but gave CBS2 photographs showing the damage to their front door as the thieves forced their way in. But according to the victims, nothing appeared to be taken.

Juan Rivas lives next door.

"I check my house to make sure everything is secure," Rivas said. "It looks pretty good, but I'm aware that people have been breaking in -- so every couple hours, I come back and double check. Hopefully this doesn't happen again."

"I'm shocked because you never hear of these things in Saddle Brook," resident Michelle Rosario said."It kind of makes me feel like how could this happen here? It's such a good neighborhood."

To help protect their homes, police said residents should use deadbolt locks with screws that are at least a few inches long. Other tips include using motion detector lighting, keeping the lights on and televisions and radios on timers.

Police are urging residents to watch out for suspicious activity and suspicious vehicles in the neighborhood.