Paulsboro police report rash of car thefts, some carjackings

PAULSBORO, N.J. (WPVI) -- An hour after these three men eluded police, the three alleged thieves were caught on camera at a Wawa in Paulsboro.

Police said the men waited inside the store on Berkeley Road for 30 minutes Wednesday until an unlucky customer pulled up in a red pickup truck around 9:30 a.m.

"The three noticed the vehicle was running. The resident walked in, they walked out, got in the vehicle and left," said Paulsboro Police Chief Vernon Marino.

Marino said that was the eight theft of an idling car in the borough in the past 2 months. Residents have heard the reports.

"They think it's Grand Theft Auto out here," said Rifeeq Sease. "Get your car stolen? Not me!"

Anthony Salerno said he knows that you are not supposed to leave your car running, but "everyone does it, especially when it is cold."

Paulsboro Garden Apartments have been hit twice. A video from November shows a thief hopping into an idling car and taking off.

Three of the thefts were carjackings.

"They were individuals sitting in vehicles idling," said Marino. "These three males walked up brandished a weapon and took the car from them."

Police don't believe the men are from Paulsboro, but instead, are dumping stolen cars from Philadelphia and Camden here and taking off in another.

Chief Marino isn't sure why it's happening here but he's focused on catching these guys before someone is hurt.

"We're hoping the public can recognize these three individuals, give us a call and let us know who they are," said Marino.

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