Over 40 Cars Broken Into Over Shabbos in Chestnut Ridge

by Chana Weinman 

Over forty cars were broken into over Shabbos in the Village of Chestnut Ridge as frustration mounts over the inability of the Ramapo Police Department to do anything about the growing scourge of theft and vandalism that takes place every Friday night. 

With the current bail reform laws, even if the perpetrator were to be arrested, he wouldn't be prevented from getting out of jail almost immediately and continuing on his path of theft the next Friday night. 

The thief went from car to car between 2 and 6 a.m. Friday night, he opened any unlocked door and then rummaged through all compartments to take whatever he noted to be of value. 

If a car was locked and he noticed something worth stealing inside, he simply broke the window and took the item, leaving over forty cars vandalized and ransacked by Shabbos morning. 

"I am truly concerned about the rash of break-ins that have shattered the peace and quiet of the Village of Chestnut Ridge we have all grown accustomed to," Village of Chestnut Ridge Deputy Mayor Chaim Rose shares exclusively with Rockland Daily. "I have every confidence that the Ramapo Police Department, along with its law enforcement partners, will crack the case expeditiously so that residents don't have to be worried about what the night will bring."

Ten Chaverim of Rockland members were busy Motzei Shabbos from the zman until well after midnight collecting video footage and cleaning up the broken glass left by the thief. 

"The recent string of car break-ins has left many residents in our village extremely unnerved and feeling somewhat helpless," Trustee Shmuli Fromovitz tells Rockland Daily.  "However, the following are some basic common sense tips to keep in mind while law enforcement works diligently to identify the perpetrators and remove them from our streets: 1) The thieves have been targeting unlocked cars, so please remember to lock your car every night. 2) Do not keep valuables such as wallets and pocketbooks in your car, especially not in view of anyone looking through the vehicle window.  3) If you have been the victim of a break-in, please file a police report immediately. This will help alert the police to problem areas and times so that they can allocate resources to those locations when needed. 4) Please share any video footage that you may have with the Ramapo Police Department. There have been instances in which thieves were let off the hook because police lacked video evidence."

Residents are once again warned to lock their vehicles and not to leave any valuables in the car at any time and certainly not within view of anyone looking through the car window.