Thefts Skyrocket in Mendham Twp., Chester Twp. in 2013

Crime rates in Mendham Borough and Chester Borough went down slightly over the first nine months of the year compared to the same time frame in 2012, but thefts in Mendham Township and Chester Township skyrocketed.

According to the New Jersey State Police Uniform Crime Report released earlier this month, both townships went from single-digit thefts between January and September 2012 to more than a dozen in Mendham Township and nearly two dozen in Chester Township.

Thefts in Mendham Township went from just two in 2012 to 15 in 2013, the report said. Forcible and unlawful entry burglaries decreased from seven to four, however, and simple assault was cut in half from two to one.

While Chester Township saw a decrease in simple assaults, from 10 to seven occurrences, the municipality had a jump in thefts from eight to 22 year over year, the report said.

Chester Borough’s thefts remained at 15 between the two years, but saw a decrease in overall burglary occurrences – forcible, unlawful entry, and attempted force – from six to just two, the report said.

While Mendham Borough had a slight decrease in thefts from 13 to 11, the town ranked by New Jersey Monthly Magazine as the best place in the state to live saw in increase in burglary and simple assault.

Forcible and unlawful entry burglary instances in the borough rose from two to five, while simple assault doubled from two to four occurrences in the town with just more than 5,000 residents.

What do you think of the crime report statistics? Do the increases alarm you? Are you surprised by the decreases? Let us know!