Upscale Short Hills, N.J. Rocked By Crime Spree
SHORT HILLS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- An NJ Transit commuter received the scare of his life after being car-jacked at a train station.
CBS2's Christine Sloan was in Short Hills, New Jersey Wednesday where police are still hunting for the suspects.
The suspects drove into a parking lot adjacent to the train station in two different cars. They pulled the victim out of his car at gunpoint and forced him to the ground.
Police Lieutenant Peter Eakley explained the crime and the suspects daring escape in detail.
"Where those actors got out of the car -- four men -- and they brandished two handguns and put it to a Short Hills resident's head taking his cash and stealing his Mercedes Benz," he said.
The suspects fled the scene in separate vehicles, one in the stolen Mercedes Benz, the others in a Subaru and a Land Rover, which were stolen from the driveway of another Short Hills resident.
"One of the cars turned on Wyoming Avenue when it was disabled. Two actors jumped out in the Land Rover and Mercedes Benz into South Orange and police Lost sight of them," he said.
In the past, there have been car break-ins in Short Hills, but this latest crime has raised concerns among residents that things are getting violent.
"It's very scary, especially in a town like this," said one resident.
Short Hills resident Betsy Topilow theorized that the fast approaching holidays may have something to do with the uptick in crime and that more law enforcement is needed.
"I think we're all very cautious in this day and age especially now as it's close to the holiday season seems to step up. What I think is we need more cops to be around here," she said.
The suspects remain on the loose and police are warning residents to exercise caution in their homes and at the train station.
The victim was not physically injured, but does not want to be identified.
Do you feel safe getting into your car? What can authorities in New Jersey do end this crime spree? Comment below.
