Criminal targeting of New Canaan property continued over the weekend, officials said, with multiple illegal entries into motor vehicles.
Thieves stole a wallet, cash and credit cars from “several unlocked vehicles” on East Avenue, East Hills Drive and upper Elm Street, according to New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski.
The incidents follow a rash of pre-dawn thefts the prior weekend from cars on Ledge Avenue, Vitti Street and Brook Street, the chief has said. They also come about one month after criminals broke into a Birchwood Avenue home—an incident caught on camera—and an unlocked Old Norwalk Road home.
Krolikowski re-issued his “Beat the Thieves” tips, as follows:
- Be a Good Neighbor: Report suspicious persons or vehicles immediately to our Department via 203-594-3500 or via 911 if you see a crime in progress. Crime prevention is the best cure.
- Do not leave valuables or financial information in your car: Never leave valuables, a purse, wallet or financial information in your car-even just for a few minutes. Thieves often watch vehicles and strike when you leave your vehicle only for a few minutes.
- Keys: Never leave the keys to your home or car inside a vehicle or in a place where a thief can find them. Keys placed in “secret” hiding places may invite a crime. Thieves know where to look for hidden keys.
- Light up your home: At night, keep the perimeter of your home well lit. Low energy lighting switched on and off by photoelectric sensors (low light switches) is a cost-effective way to discourage thieves. Often thefts from vehicles occur in residential driveways.
- Lock up:Always lock all doors and windows of your vehicle whenever you leave it, even for a short time.
- Park in well-lit, public areas: Avoid parking your vehicle in isolated areas where there is not much traffic. Thefts in New Canaan often occur in parking lots or areas of our parks that are isolated.
- Use your alarm system: Always activate your alarm system, even when you are at home, and whenever you leave your house or vehicle—even for a short time. Many successful thefts that occur in our Town involve houses or vehicles that have alarm systems that were not activated.
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Follow NCPD on Twitter@newcanaanpolice for crime alerts.