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The key fob apparently had been left in the 2016 X6 BMW, which was stolen from a Swan Road home around 4 a.m. – apparently by an organized group responsible for the theft of high-end vehicles in the area, Police Chief James N. Batelli said.
Video from a neighbor’s home shows an SUV initially drive by.
Moments later it speeds past in the opposite direction, followed closely by the stolen BMW.
The car’s EZ pass transponder was detected going through the Essex toll plaza on the Garden State Parkway 45 minutes later, Batelli said.
Car thieves ordinarily arrive in another stolen vehicle, the chief noted.
They check side mirrors – which fold inward when many newer-model vehicles are locked – and test door handles, he said.
If the key fob is left inside, they take off with the vehicle.
If it isn’t, they remove valuables and move on to the next.
“It is also believed that in some instances the thieves may be using an app to determine if a key fob is left in the vehicle,” Batelli said.
The chief reminded owners to lock their vehicles and not leave fobs or valuables in them.
He also asked residents in the area to check their outdoor surveillance systems and call if they see anything suspicious from the past few days.
CONTACT: Detective Eric Larsen at (201) 529-1000 ext. 217
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