Clark Residents Reminded To Lock Up After Rash Of Car Break-Ins

CLARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A rash of car burglaries in one Union County neighborhood has residents making sure they lock their doors.

As CBS2's Meg Baker reported, surveillance video shows the foursome working fast. Three men roll out of a grey sedan and creep up to cars parked in a driveway -- they got lucky, multiple cars were left unlocked.

"On May 1, we had fourteen vehicles entered on three streets. All the vehicles were unlocked," Clark Twp, Chief of Police, Pedro Matos said.

The getaway driver waited in the car for the thieves to snoop around, but the thieves had no idea they were being watched.

Clark police said fourteen cars were burglarized between 5:30 a.m. and 7:15 a.m. on May 1, on Thomas Drive, Whatsheaf Road, and Grove Street.

"Not much was taken out of the vehicles, just some expensive sunglasses," Matos said.

They also got away with some small electronics and loose change.

"Since the burglaries, I've been keeping mine locked. Actually my son had his car broken into," Bob Cieslak said.

Cieslak lives on Whatsheaf Road.

"Couple people around here had been broken into. We get texts from town, and it seems to be this area where they seem to be coming," he said.

Neighbors said it's usually a safe area.

"Quite unusual. Usually people outside the neighborhood," Paul Paulino said.

The chief said the town had five car thefts last year, this year there have been twenty-eight, fourteen of which were in one morning.

"Video is at a distance, so hard to see faces, but really hoping that through body language someone can recognize the individuals involved," Matos said.

The chief said it's very possible the suspects were looking for car keys that might have been left inside to steal the cars.