Carjackings 'Not a Common Crime' in West Orange, Police Say

There have been four carjacking incidents in the township so far this year and it has not been a popular crime in the area, according to the West Orange Police Department.

West Orange Police Capt. John Buoye called a carjacking a "crime of opportunity" in a phone interview with Patch and stated it is not a crime on the rise in West Orange. 

“A carjacking is not a common crime here in town,” Buoye said. “It is not something that is on the rise.”

Bouye added that this crime has been very few and far between in the township over some time.

“There have been four carjacking incidents so far this year,” Buoye said. “There have been four leading up through today with one of them being closed by arrest.”

The three unsolved carjacking’s are still pending, as the department did not get enough leads to close any of those cases, according to Buoye.

Carjacking incidents have occurred in other places recently near the township, including the fatal carjacking at the Mall at Short Hills in Millburn Dec. 15 and a resident in South Orange being carjacked outside his home earlier this week.

A Newark man was recently sentenced to serve 25 years in prison for committing a carjacking in West Orange Township back in 2011.

Buoye stated most of the time, carjacking incidents are crimes of opportunity.

“Usually, carjacking crimes are crimes of opportunity,” Buoye said. “During this time of year, as any time during the year, residents have to be aware of their surroundings and if something doesn’t feel right to them in an area, just walk away.”

Buoye also stated residents need to be “prepared” to get into their vehicle right away when returning to their vehicle from somewhere and to lock the doors as soon as they get in.

“Obviously if someone is going to take a vehicle they will look in areas where someone may be alone,” Buoye said. “We tell residents to try and travel with a group of people and try to make yourself less of a target.”

Other tips from Buoye on how to avoid a carjacking incident include: park your vehicle in lit areas; when coming home, make sure somebody knows your arrival time; be aware and careful all times of the day; among others.

“A carjacking can also happen during the day and it really is just one of those things that become a crime of opportunity,” Buoye said. “The most important thing is to always be aware of your surroundings and to walk away if something is wrong.”