Police News of New Jersey – June/July 1985


CAMDEN- During the year 1984, the City of Camden was plagued with an increasing number of auto thefts.

This was not a problem confined to the City but also a stated and national problem.

During the year 1984, Camden received 1834 auto theft reports. Also during that year 1984, 1075 autos had been stolen outside the city and recovered in Camden.

In January 1985, with the cooperation of other police agencies in the Camden County area, a special Auto Theft Task Force was put into operation to combat this problem.

The following Police Departments assigned their men on a full-time basis: Camden Police Department Sergeant Edward Eldred, Detective Clifford Leary, Patrolman Ronald Miller, and Patrolman Edward Dowhy; Cherry Hill Police Department Patrolman Blair Smith; Gloucester Township Police Department Detective Ronald Trabosh; and Patco High Speedline Police Detective Robert Stanley and Patrolman Carlton Clark.

During the time the Task Force was in operation, the. Unit recovered 54 stolen cars, made 33 arrests, served 10 warrants, and, closed 4 garages being used a “chopshops.”

The detectives and patrolmen involved in this Task Force worked long, hard hours, and dedicated themselves to making the operation a success.

They were extremely successful in gaining knowledge and information on the adults and juveniles involved in the theft and stripping of stolen autos in the City.

For their dedication and success in their assignment, Camden Local No. #35 recognized their efforts and presented each of them with an award.