Thieves target summer homes throughout South Jersey - NBC40.net

Burglars are targeting summer homes along the South Jersey coast.

In Ocean City, police say 6 to 8 TVs were stolen over the past 3 days after selective thieves broke into vacant homes.

Ocean City homeowner, Mary Anne Larkin, said, "I'm very concerned over that because with people that are going to be renting, you know, I don't want them to be in any type of danger."

Police in other beach towns say the break-ins happen all over.  Chief William McCormick, with the Avalon Police Department, told NBC40, "Pretty much they are evened out all year long.  We incur break-ins both in the summer and winter months."

In Margate, realtors at Prudential Fox & Roach say they try to discourage home burglaries by never listing addresses of their vacant properties.  Judi Cohen, a realtor at Prudential, added, "Although we have a sign outside, we do not put lock boxes on homes and also when we put it on the internet we try not to put addresses."

However, there are many realtors and homeowners who post pictures of their homes along with an address.  Experts say this can make vacant homes easy targets for thieves.

Larkin said, "They're advertising your home and, you know, everybody could see what you have – all of your belongings, your possessions."

Realtors also say burglars looking for an easy target should think twice about breaking into homes with a realty sign out front.

Cohen said, "A sign is no indication that no one lives there.  We have many year round residents that have their homes for sale and there's a sign outside, and then there are homes that are summer residents that have signs, so its not indication."

Police urge those who own summer homes to check on their properties throughout the off-season.