Car Stolen From Driveway, Abandoned on Rt. 80, Cops Say

Police are searching for a person who allegedly stole a Hopatcong resident’s vehicle from a driveway and abandoned it on Route 80.

A resident of Unger Avenue called police at 6 a.m. Sunday to report her 2007 Huyndai Sonata was stolen from her driveway, Lt. Thomas Kmetz said. An investigation revealed the woman parked her car in the driveway at 10 p.m. the night before with the door unlocked and a spare key in the center console, Kmetz said.

Also in the console were credit cards, bank cards and work keys, Kmetz said.

At 1:35 p.m. on the same day of the report, the vehicle was located abandoned near exit 30 westbound on Route 80 by a family member of the victim, Kmetz said. State police arrived on the scene and found the keys were still in the ignition, windows were open and the vehicle was out of gas, Kmetz said.

Police do not have a suspect at this time, but are asking anyone with information regarding the incident contact the department at 973-398-5000.

Kmetz urges residents to lock their homes and vehicles and to not leave valuables in the vehicle no matter its location.