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In recent days, police received reports of three stolen vehicles and five others that were entered during a weekend spree in New Canaan.
According to police, shortly before 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 16, a 2020 Lexus RX350 was stolen from a residence on Grover Road, which was later recovered in Waterbury. Another vehicle parked in the same driveway was also entered.
Shortly after 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, a 2020 Volvo Xc40 T5 was reported stolen from a Canoe Hill Road home. It was later recovered in Bridgeport.
Later that morning, at 8:45 a.m. on Monday, a 2014 Audi A6 3.0 Q was stolen from a Main Street residence. It still has not been recovered.
In addition to the stolen car, five larcenies from vehicles were reported on Monday.
Items stolen from these vehicles include loose change, a garage door opener, and a car key belonging to the vehicle entered.
The vehicles entered were parked on the road or in the driveway of Brushy Ridge Road (driveway), Gower Road (road), Laurel Road (driveway), and Sturbridge Hill Road (driveway).
Investigators noted that each of the cars in question was left unlocked, and there were key fobs left in each of the stolen vehicles.
According to police: "Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, criminal gangs are active throughout Fairfield County. In the past, some of the vehicles stolen in Fairfield County were used in violent crime.
“We urge our residents to be more cautious and practice good crime prevention strategies. This carelessness is putting our entire Town at risk.”
The New Canaan Police Department said that the crimes could have been prevented if residents followed certain tips:
- KEYS: When unattended never leave the key to your home or key/key fob to your car inside a vehicle or in a place where a thief can find them. Do not leave the valet key, key fob, or garage door opener inside of your vehicle;
- LIGHT UP YOUR HOME: At night, keep the perimeter of your home and driveway well lit. Low energy lighting switched on and off by photoelectric sensors (low light switches) is a cost-effective way to discourage criminals;
- LOCK-UP: Always lock all doors, garage doors and windows of your car and home whenever you leave, day or night, even for a short time. If you have a garage, put your car in it and lock/alarm both the car and the garage. All of the thefts from vehicles and vehicle thefts that occur involve unlocked vehicles;
- SECURE VALUABLES: Never leave valuables in your vehicle. Often, identity theft occurs when drivers’ licenses and credit cards are stolen;
- USE YOUR ALARM SYSTEM: Always activate your home and car alarm systems. Many successful crimes that occur involve houses or cars that have alarm systems that were not activated;
- SECURITY-VIDEO CAMERAS: Consider installing a good quality security/video camera that covers the interior/exterior of your residence and the street near it. The price point of camera systems has dropped recently making this a wise investment.
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