Recent Car Thefts--A message from SPPD

A concerning crime trend that has plagued many other Long Island and, especially, North Shore communities recently has found its way to Sands Point. 

An active car theft ring, composed of juveniles, operating out of New Jersey, have lately NOT been satisfied with just pulling on car doors to see if they are unlocked.  They are now often targeting specific vehicles, and if that car is locked, they are then sometimes walking up to the windows of the home to see if the keys are in plain sight and easily accessible.  In some recent cases on Long Island, they try the house door and, if unlocked, take the keys.  In some other instances, they have been known to break a window--if the keys are within close distance.   

The Sands Point Police Department again reminds you to be vigilant.  Lock your vehicles, lock your house doors, and set your home alarms. We, as a community, have been fairly successful in the recent couple of years with diminished (not eliminated) car thefts.  We urge you to heed this advisory.

Last evening, two cars were stolen from a home, and the keys were removed from inside the home.  Thankfully, no one was confronted or injured and was unaware until they awoke in the morning.  The criminals entered the house by pushing in a less than secure antique French-style door, with the sole purpose of obtaining the key fobs they observed from outside. They were in and out of the house and gone with 2 vehicles in a matter of seconds.  No other property or valuables were stolen. 

This is very disconcerting and alarming, but still preventable.  The SPPD urges everyone to do their proper diligence in securing and safeguarding their property by:

…Locking your cars and removing your valuables from them

…Do NOT leave key fobs in plain sight within your home (most common areas are tables by front doors, kitchen counters, and mud rooms)

…Lock your homes at night, and please utilize your alarm and security systems

Thankfully, all recent incidents involved ONLY crimes against property.  No civilians have been injured or confronted.  Nonetheless, this is a very serious trend, and we ask all our residents to do their part to not be victimized and to reduce the attractiveness of our Village to bad guys. The Police Department is always on constant and omnipresent patrol.  We unfortunately cannot be everyone at once.  We will be altering some of our methods and adjusting our manpower to try to be a greater deterrent. We intend to begin some of these patrol modifications immediately.

Furthermore, the Mayor and the Board have asked the Police to come up with a comprehensive plan to further address these issues. 

The Police Department urges all residents who see or hear anything the slightest bit suspicious or out of place to call us immediately.

Thank you,

Chief Thomas Ruehle

Lt Casey Wall