Police officials said Thursday that recent carjackings in Nassau County including one last week in the Village of Flower Hill may be part of a larger pattern throughout the tri-state area.
Thefts have occurred at all times throughout the day and night and have occurred in instances where targeted late-model luxury vehicles with push-button starts or key fobs that have been left unlocked, police said.
In addition to paying attention to suspicious cars and people, police suggested residents always lock their vehicles and take their key fobs with them and never hide a smart key, valet key or spare key in or near a vehicle, regardless of where it is parked.
They also advised people to park vehicles in a locked garage whenever possible and secure the garage door opener at all times, to keep driveways and the exteriors of houses well lit and close all car windows prior to parking.
At approximately 9:45 p.m. last Sunday, a man driving a 2013 Land Rover through the Village of Flower Hill in Manhasset was allegedly hit from behind by a sport utility vehicle whose passengers then robbed him and stole the vehicle at gunpoint when he got out of the vehicle to inspect the damage.
Among the items the men stole, police said, was the victim’s jacket containing the key fob to the Land Rover.
As the stolen Land Rover was driven through Manhasset, it hit a responding Third Precinct officer’s car to avoid apprehension and fled westbound onto the Long Island Expressway. The SUV was later found unoccupied in Queens.
