So you actually saw the person(s), saw them reach for a "gun" in their car that they were driving, but failed to get their license plate number?

Also wanted to add....

A Sergeant stopped by after about a half hour. We were still outside trying to do what we could to help clean the broken glass. The officer inspected the exterior of the car to look for fingerprints. Although there were smudges, he was unable to find any ridge detail and concluded the thieves were most likely wearing mechanic gloves.

His advise if anyone should find themselves in this situation in the near future:
- Call the 547-5477 number to report a car theft or attempted car theft (considering the scope of this crime recently, the officers will respond very quickly)
- Do not touch the vehicle ~ they'll take fingerprints, if any are present
- If you can, get descriptions of the thieves, license plates, make and model of their cars. Call this info in right away.

When: Early morning, Sat 10/11/08
Target: 2008 Honda Accord

The car's alarm went off around 3:10am. I was up and looking out the front door within a few seconds. The vehicle was parked across the street approx 100 feet away from our front door. I didn't see anyone around the vehicle. I was straining to see inside for movement, thinking possibly someone was having trouble turning off their alarm. I believe two cars passed but I didn't look at them because I was staring at the Honda. In hindsight, they may have had something to do with the break-in and I should have paid attention to make, model and lic. However it was only until my husband looked out the door, did we realize it was our tenant's car. Since we were sure at that point that it wasn't a faulty alarm, we grabbed some flashlights to inspect the car.

There was broken glass all over, its driver's side window was smashed. The two driver's side wheels had all four (unlocked) lugs removed. The only lugs still attached were the lock ones. The trunk was slightly opened as well. We alerted the owner and called the police. We flagged down a squad car who had stopped at the corner after they spotted us (in the dark) around the vehicle - apparently they were trailing a suspicious looking guy on a bike at the time and the dispatch call from our incident had not gone out yet. From what they could figure, the thieves were trying to remove the tires. But when they couldn't get the lock lugs off, they smashed the window to open the trunk to look for the key for the lock lugs. The stock car alarm was probably triggered when the trunk was opened.
The officers noted that it's been real bad for Hondas in the area. The same thieves will hit 8-10 cars in a single night.

Also worth noting, the same tenant has his 3 year old Civic stolen 4 weeks ago. This new one was its replacement. The insurance company hasn't even finalized his claim for the first one.
He'd already informed us that he was ending his lease early.

There is a sign on Monmouth between First and Second for garage parking. I think it said $130/month.

1st and Monmouth. There is a red For Rent sign hanging up. It's $150 a month, but well worth it. If you want, PM me your email address and I will send you all the info.

Coming from Hoboken, the first thing I did was find a parking spot. I don't usually get home until 10:15 at night, so there was never any spots open. The garage solves that.

I know this has already been somewhat mentioned, but there is nowhere in the country that your car (or anything else for that matter) are completely safe. I had my car broken into in the small town of Prescott, Arizona (which is a huge arts and retirement community). I never once felt unsafe there, but there are still untrustworthy people who will do what they can to get a buck. I felt violated there. I had my bike stolen here and that made me feel equally as violated. Unfortunately, there are people everywhere who feel it is ok to take from others.

Also, thank you everyone for your kind words. While I love Jersey City and the urban setting, I think my boyfriend now has different thoughts. He feels violated in the same sense I probably would have I had my purse stolen.

1st Street Guy - Where did you find a parking space and do you know if they have any more? That may be buy me a little more time in the area if the bf feels his car is a little more secure.

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The radio face was not in the car. The face of the headunit was inside our apartment. There was absolutely nothing ni the car at the time of the break-in.

Sorry for the following possible insensitive logic....


But who would leave their radio face on their head unit overnight?

Jersey City is still Jersey City, not some perfect place in the middle of America where you can park your car with your doors open and all the valuables showing. Not saying you did leave them open. But no one should leave the face to the head unit attached, that's why it is detachable.

And rule number 1 about keeping your vehicle safe from break-ins, make sure your interior is bare. Like the day you bought it, and it won't attract attention.


Sorry again, I'm born and raised here, it's just streets smarts. If you would of stayed in JC a bit longer, you would have learned this.

Nickie, first off sorry to hear about your car. I live on that block, and when I walked outside that morning, I first noticed the glass in the street, then the window in my garbage can. I just moved into my building as well, and I hope that this was just an isolated incident.

I am glad I paid for the garage parking a block away though! Sorry to hear about your misfortune, and good luck with either the new apt, or the upcoming move, whatever you decide to do!

You must not be from Downtown because right at Newark Avenue, Brunswick and Fourth Street -- Madame Claude's French Bistro has lots of people sitting out almost every night till 11pm or so, and they never have had any problems - knock on wood.

Also the OP wrote that the police thought the car robbers were from Newark NJ -- so I think it had more to do with the type of car than where in Jersey City it's parked. That said I am sure that west of Brunswick on First Street being somewhat secluded would be a little more attractive for car thieves than say busy Newark Avenue.

You might want to check out the nabe - there are a lot of art galleries, vintage stores, a new skate shop, a record store, Second Street Bakery, the Lamp Post Bar & Grill with live Jazz Mondays and Carmine's Pizza Factory all right around this area.

Just last week there was a two day live music festival at Newark & Brunswick with tons of bands -- to go along with all the art gallery openings for the JC Art Walk.


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I had heard from a few residents of the area around Newark and Brunswick that it is a dangerous part of Downtown, and hearing of this incident only confirms it.

It's amazing that Hamilton Park is so much safer than the western end of Newark Ave downtown, but it is only a few blocks away. It's amazing the difference a few blocks makes.

Hello Nickie,

Sorry to hear about the car getting broken into. Thank you for sharing this story. Also, sorry about the fact that any time a crime is posted on this board, there seem to be more people ready to explain how it is the victim's fault rather than offering condolences or some decent advice.

Nickie, do you understand anything this Mr. Jim is saying to you ? ? LOL

Nickie

I’m sorry to hear this happened to you.

"We had nothing in the car, the face of the head unit was removed at the time, making the unit virtually worthless anyway and luckily the didn't take off with it, but it was broken in their haste."

Was this unit a GPS? Thieves will look for the mounting in the car, even the mark the suction cup leaves and assume the electronics are in the glove box. NEVER leave anything visible in your car.

"I just wanted to warn others in our area or anywhere...and remind everyone to be safe about things. Having a gun almost pulled on my boyfriend - who has a short fuse/agressive streak and luckily didn't act on it yesterday or it could have been worse - has forced us to leave Jersey City, which we absolutely loved and did our part whenever possible to make it a nicer, friendlier place to live. In the 3 years we have lived her, while the progress
has been noticeable, it still has a long ways to go..."

Thanks for the warning, I too live in the neighborhood but you should know it is one of the safest neighborhoods in Downtown. For example in the month of August there were 25 auto B&T’s in the East District (Downtown Police Area) and most of those were around 2nd and Marin Blvd. where electronics were targeted. There were scattered stolen and auto B&T’s throughout the East District and close by our neighborhood but none where we live.
In September the incidents varied throughout the District. Yes, this can happen anywhere and we always must be vigilant but to make it out that the neighborhood is unsafe because of this one incident is clearly untrue.

I understand being woken up at 6 in the morning to the sound of you car alarm while seeing actors in and around you car is startling, however alarming people unnecessarily by alluding someone had a gun when you didn’t even see it is disingenuous.

"My boyfriend is now starting to think it was orchestrated. He thinks someone from our shady block called their friends and said hey we got this car here and they having people over, maybe they won't hear the alarm...Some of our friendlier neighbors have since come forward saying that it happens a lot on our block and they think one of our neighbors in particular is involved. "

Please give the facts, who are “these people”. There are people who will always be looking for opportunities to commit crime whether on your block or all of Jersey City. This is a City and these things can happen anywhere.

In fact this does not happen on your block a lot. I’ve lived there for over 3 years and yes it still has a long way to go but it is improving rapidly, however you will never be able stop crimes of opportunity.

If you REALLY want find out how safe and friendly your neighborhood is attend the monthly Captain’s meeting where you can get the real facts about crime Downtown and in your neighborhood. They are held the 4th Tuesday of every month at Middle School #4 on Bright St. @ 7:00pm. The East District shares with the community all the Compstat Crime data for the month; all are welcome. Also get in touch with your Neighborhood Association where you can meet your neighbors and become involved with solving these crime issues, Visit JCVillage.org.

Best of luck, Capnjon said it best “hang in there!”

Jim

if you leave the terrorists win!

but seriously, we live in the heights now (after years downtown), and when we first moved to our block, it was pretty seedy. constant troubles with gang kids and thugs.

we stuck it out, or neighbors (who moved in the exact same time), left dodge.

now our block is amazing and peaceful. when it was bad, we had out local police on speed dial and would call if the scumbags so much as farted.

hang in there!

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Wait, it got you out of a lease...do tell...Because now we're going to try and break ours.

It got me out of a lease once, read post. Nickie Rules.

Note to self: Buy an axe. haha

Nickie, my advise is..the chap who was reaching for something in the console, probably going for his favourite axe, so tonight over dinner, it's something you and your hubby should discuss, buying an axe.

Otherwise, always always pay attention to car alarms going off. And yes, the area you live in is a bit isolated, so thieves look for that. Isolation and Quick Getaway Route.

Nickie, my advise is..the chap who was reaching for something in the console, probably going for his favourite axe, so tonight over dinner, it's something you and your hubby should discuss, buying an axe.

Otherwise, always always pay attention to car alarms going off. And yes, the area you live in is a bit isolated, so thieves look for that. Isolation and Quick Getaway Route.

Does anyone know if Weehawken is any better? I think we're aiming for a driveway or garage spot...

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To clarify...We lived over near HP for about 3 years. We moved to our new location at 1st and Brunswick 3 months ago, finally got the place in order and decided to have a housewarming. The party was saturday night from 5pm- about 12pm. Stayed up cleaning until 2am and then car was broken into at 6am. And lastly, we were supposed to partake in a family charity walk in NYC at 9am on Sunday.

Yes, we had a housewarming, from the apartment that we are now going to be moving from based upon this incident.

Jenny - we didn't see the gun, however the driver of the getaway car lifted up the top of the armrest center console and reached in to grab something...when the second guy said something to the extent of, nah man it's not worth it let's get out of here.

My boyfriend is now starting to think it was orchestrated. He thinks someone from our shady block called their friends and said hey we got this car here and they having people over, maybe they won't hear the alarm...Some of our friendlier neighbors have since come forward saying that it happens a lot on our block and they think one of our neighbors in particular is involved.

Quote:

I have a garage space too but that is no guarantee of safety either. I park in the mall garage and one night I saw a guy talking to security with all 4 of his tires slashed.

Very scary story. Sorry it's pushing you to leave JC but I guess I understand.

I'm curious about the gun though. Did the guy actually pull it on your boyfriend or are you just thinking the guy was reaching for one? I'm not trying to poke holes in your story -- i swear -- i just think that the level of car robbery is greatly elevated if it involves a gun.

Again, really sorry for your troubles. It's scary stuff.

Quote:
Obviously she's insinuating that she will be moving out now that her car was broken into.

"Our car was broken into Sunday morning at 6:00 am."

"Having a gun almost pulled on my boyfriend - who has a short fuse/agressive streak and luckily didn't act on it yesterday or it could have been worse - has forced us to leave Jersey City,"

"We had a housewarming party for our new place on Saturday night and had been up cleaning until 2am. Can you blame us for being disoriented? So glad our friends were able to see out apartment before we move out."

I'm having a hard time following this chain of events. Let me see if I got it straight.

1) Your car is broken into at 6AM Sunday.
2) You post on JCList on Monday morning that this has forced you to leave JC. That's a quick decision and even quicker move.
3) You had a housewarming party and are glad your friends were able to see your apartment before you moved out. Where was the party? You had a housewarming party in a place you're moving out of?

I'm sorry to hear about your break-in. I would be very upset for a long while if that happened to me as well.

Downtown JC still has a lot of issues with auto thefts and vandalism and it's why I opted for a monthly garaged parking space. It sucks to pay the monthly rate, but you are buying peace of mind.

I guess that was a little insensitive of me too - I was just so caught off guard that people can be so negative and selfish after something terrible like this happened. And me snapping back at you doesn't make it right either.

We don't ignore our alarm, that's the thing. We always ALWAYS look out the front window...It's like the boy who cried wolf situation. We didn't realize it was only 6am when the alarm had gone off. We had a housewarming party for our new place on Saturday night and had been up cleaning until 2am. Can you blame us for being disoriented? So glad our friends were able to see out apartment before we move out.

Therefore, we thought it was much later, like 8 or 9am. These kids hang out front every day from right after school until about 11pm and weekends every waking minute. It's like a teen bike/skateboard club...so figures, the one time we don't look out the window...it's a thief. We looked out the window the second time it went off though.

Oh and yesterday morning we were co-captains for a team walking the juvenile diabetes walk in Battery Park and after months of planning and fundraising we were too shaken up to participate...It's just so upsetting that bad things happen to good people - or at least people trying to be good.

In spite of my admittedly insensitive post, Vigilante gets it.