Police urge residents to lock cars after series of thefts

The Montclair Police Department has issued a warning to residents urging them to lock their cars and not keep valuables in them, following a recent series of burglaries in the town's northern end.

"Montclair Police Department reminds all residents to lock their vehicles while unattended.  We also advise against storing valuables in the passenger compartment of vehicles.  We have been experiencing an increase in thefts from motor vehicles across the township," the alert stated.  "The area most affected is Valley Road and its neighboring streets in the northern end of town.  In almost every reported incident, the vehicle targeted had been left unlocked.  Please contact the Police Department immediately should you observe anything unusual."

The incidents include a large number of thefts from vehicles along Cooper Avenue on July 10.