Spike in car thefts hits Ocean City as police warn residents to lock up or lose it
Ocean City, NJ – A wave of car thefts has rocked this quiet shore town, prompting local police to sound the alarm with an urgent warning to both residents and visitors: lock your vehicles or risk losing them.
The Ocean City Police Department issued a public advisory on Thursday following a sharp uptick in stolen vehicles across the area, revealing that many of the incidents shared one common factor—unlocked cars with keys left inside. The department is urging the public to stop making it easy for thieves, citing a pattern that points to preventable mistakes.
In a detailed statement, police emphasized the need to remove key fobs from vehicles and to avoid leaving them in cup holders, ignitions, or anywhere inside unlocked cars. Officers also reminded residents to secure garage doors and interior access points, stressing that these small oversights are giving criminals the opportunity they need.
While the department didn’t provide exact figures, the language in their alert indicates a recent surge that has raised concern. Ocean City, typically a calm beach destination, sees its population swell during the summer months—making it a target-rich environment for quick thefts and opportunistic crime.
Police are urging anyone who sees suspicious activity to report it immediately, noting that prevention and quick action remain their best tools to combat the problem. They’re also calling on the community to share the message with neighbors in hopes of ending the trend before it becomes a long-term issue.
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The warning comes as many shore towns across New Jersey and the Northeast have reported similar trends, with high-end cars in particular becoming hot targets. Investigations are ongoing, but Ocean City authorities are focusing first on changing habits and raising awareness to shut down this theft wave before it escalates further.
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Key Points
- Ocean City has seen a recent spike in car thefts, mostly from unlocked vehicles with keys left inside
- Police issued a public alert urging residents and visitors to secure vehicles and garage access points
- Authorities are asking the public to report any suspicious activity immediately to help curb the trend