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The New Canaan Police Department issued an alert on Monday, Aug. 31 after a third vehicle was stolen out of the city over the weekend.
Police said that shortly before 9:45 a.m. on Aug. 31, the department received a report that a 2020 Mazda CX-5 was stolen from the driveway of a New Norwalk Road home after it was left unlocked with the key inside.
That vehicle has not been located.
According to police, over the weekend, a 2008 BMW X5 was reported stolen earlier on Aug. 31, shortly before 9 a.m. from Urban Street. That vehicle was also unlocked and an iPhone 7 and CT registration plate belonging to a different vehicle were taken from it.
The vehicle was also unlocked and was recovered.
A third vehicle, a 2006 Audi A8 was reported stolen at 2:09 a.m. on Aug. 31 from River Street, again unlocked with the key inside.
Police said another vehicle parked on the same road was rummaged through, but nothing was taken. The Audi has not been recovered.
Since the beginning of January, the New Canaan Police Department has investigated 20 reports of stolen vehicles, and 32 thefts from vehicles.
“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, criminal gangs are active throughout Fairfield County,” police said. “In the past, some of the vehicles stolen in Fairfield County were used in violent crime."
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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