SUMMIT, NJ — Three masked suspects fled from a home after being spotted by the homeowner through a window late Monday night.
The Summit Police Department received a 911 call at approximately 11:59 p.m. from a resident on Canoe Brook Place reporting that three individuals wearing ski masks were observed on surveillance camera near the back door of the residence.
The suspects fled the scene once they saw the homeowner through a first-floor window, according to police.
Three officers who were already in the neighborhood conducting routine residential patrols located a stolen BMW within seconds and initiated a pursuit.
Officers continued to pursue the vehicle into Essex County until the chase was terminated due to public safety reasons.
The region has seen an increase in burglaries to motor vehicles, attempted vehicle thefts, motor vehicle thefts, attempted burglaries to houses and burglaries to occupied houses over the past several weeks, police said.
In most of these incidents, suspects entered homes in search of key fobs, according to police.
The Summit Police Department is deploying additional resources to areas of concern and sharing information with law enforcement partners in the region.
Police are asking residents to park vehicles inside garages if possible, remove all valuables including key fobs from plain view, lock all vehicle doors and exterior doors and windows, lock doors between garages and houses, set home alarm systems and turn on exterior lighting overnight.
Anyone who sees or hears anything suspicious or whose home security cameras capture unusual activity should call the Summit Police Department at 908-273-0051 or 911 in an emergency.
