Full Notification

NEWARK – Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose is again reminding residents not to leave their running cars unattended following the theft of a car with a sleeping child inside.

“More than 25 percent of our auto thefts happen when people leave their cars running to go into a convenience store, lock their gates, drop off mail, or any other little errand that they think ‘will only take a minute,’” Ambrose said. “Well, in a matter of seconds their car can be gone.”

So far this year, 219 cars left running were stolen with their owners just a few feet away.

Last night after 10 p.m., a woman in East Orange left her 2018 Honda Accord running to drop off a package with a six year-old boy sleeping in the back. The thief jumped in and took off, but abandoned the vehicle a few blocks away at Hawthorne Avenue and South 20th Street in Newark.

The car was recovered minutes later by Newark police with the child still asleep.

The suspect was seen by residents running down Fabyan Place.

Anyone with information on this or any crime, can call the Department's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867). All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential and could result in a reward.

Anonymous tips may also be made using the Police Division’s website at: www.newarkpd.org or through the Newark Police Division Smartphone App available at iTunes and Google Play.