51°
At around 8:45 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, officers responded to the parking lot of 46 Danbury Road in Ridgefield on a report of a stolen car. The complainant said he had parked his car and left it running while he ran into a local business. A short time later, he came out and saw a man in his 20s getting into the 2016 BMW X5 and drive off.
An officer in the area saw the stolen car traveling on Danbury Road near Tanton Hill Road, and attempted to pull it over. The driver of the stolen car did not stop, and began passing cars at a high rate of speed, police said. The officer discontinued the pursuit at that time. The stolen car was later found abandoned in Waterbury, police said.
Later that night, an officer was dispatched to the Gulf station at 115 Danbury Road on a report of a car that had been left running and unattended for an extended period of time. The officer determined that the car, a 2013 Ford Edge, had been previously reported stolen out of Newington, police said. Police believe that this car was left unattended by the person who stole the BMW.
Police said that car thefts and burglaries from cars have been a widespread problem throughout the state this year. They are reminding residents to lock their cars and remove all valuables, including the keys. Do not leave cars running and unattended. In this case, the driver took the smart key from the car, but the thief was still able to drive the car, police said.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Newtown and receive free news updates.
