Car Burglaries Plague Collingswood; Oaklyn PD Asks for Help

From to , the are all around us—including a rise in the number of vehicle burglaries in the area.

Just a few weeks ago, reported six vehicle burglaries overnight June 30 in the 700 block of Eldridge Avenue.

On the eve of the holiday weekend, unknown perpetrators ransacked a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe, 1994 Ford Tempo, 2000 Chevrolet, 2006 Acura, 2006 Nissan and 2004 Kia.

None of the cars were locked.

A GPS unit was removed from the Nissan; other vehicle owners reported missing only loose change that had been visible within the consoles of their cars.

That same night, in the same block of Eldridge Avenue, a 1999 Ford Expedition was stolen by an unknown thief. Again, the owner had failed to secure the vehicle and returned the next morning to discover it was missing. It was recovered a week later, in Camden City, reportedly in fair condition.

The action hasn’t slowed, however. Oaklyn police issued a statement Wednesday seeking information about a slew of vehicle burglaries that occurred between July 10 and 11 in the area of Newton Avenue and the White Horse Pike.

“Actors entered only unlocked vehicles removing change and electronic equipment,” read the announcement from Oaklyn Police Chief Joseph Abbate.

“These are crimes of opportunity and if your vehicle is locked and your items stored away, the actor(s) will most likely move on.”

Anyone with information on the Eldridge Avenue burglaries can contact Collingswood P.D. at 856-854-1901. Those in the know about the Oaklyn incidents should call 856-854-0049.

UPDATE - Abbate also announced last week the arrests of two 19-year-olds in . The alleged assailants are Collingswood resident Nicholas Anthony and John Reed of Woodlynne.

Anthony and Reed were charged with assault and criminal mischief; they will appear before the Oaklyn Municipal Court Wednesday.