Montgomery police and resident urge precautions after home invasion; department outlines burglary and scam prevention

A Montgomery resident who said she was the victim of a home invasion urged neighbors to stay vigilant at a community safety forum on Tuesday, and the township’s criminal investigations team laid out burglary and scam‑prevention steps aimed at reducing similar incidents.

Lokey Pagopati told attendees she woke to her dog barking and an alarm to find ‘‘four men had come to our house, they had invaded our home to steal our car,’’ and that neighbors and police were ‘‘the first people who really came and stepped up’’ to support her family. Pagopati said officers apprehended suspects within about a week; she described using the experience to encourage community awareness.

Detective Joe Cicado of the Montgomery Police Department framed the presentation with national Uniform Crime Reporting data and local counts, and emphasized practical steps residents can take to reduce risk. ‘‘Lock it, light it, secure,’’ Cicado said, listing everyday precautions such as locking doors and windows (including garages), bringing key fobs inside, using timers or smart lights when away, and securing valuables in bolted safes.

Cicado warned that burglars commonly target cash, jewelry, firearms, high‑end bags and car keys. He described tactics including impersonating delivery workers or utility personnel to gain entry and entering through rear doors or second‑floor windows. He advised residents to avoid leaving key fobs by entryways and recommended Faraday (RF‑blocking) bags to prevent key‑cloning attacks.

The detective also detailed an uptick in phone and online scams that often target older residents, including fake IRS calls and ‘‘grandparent’’ scams. He warned about number spoofing in which a caller’s phone number can appear to come from the Montgomery Township Police Department and advised residents to hang up and call the agency directly.

On technology and surveillance, Cicado described partnerships with private apps and vendors. He encouraged use of neighborhood apps like Ring Neighbors while stressing these tools do not replace 911, asked residents to register home security systems with the police, and said the township uses automated license‑plate readers and Flock Safety cameras. ‘‘We currently have 6 flock cameras throughout the town,’’ he told the audience, saying they alert officers to stolen or wanted vehicles.

As a case study, Cicado recounted a May 9, 2023, burglary in which surveillance footage led to arrests; he said the suspects were charged with burglary, possession of burglary tools, conspiracy and tampering with evidence. The detective reported the group had scouted multiple locations prior to the arrests.

Organizers closed by inviting attendees to speak with detectives and a Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office burglary‑unit detective in the lobby and said the presentation would be made available online. The session stressed collaboration between law enforcement and residents as central to preventing crime.