An unlocked 2017 Jaguar with its keys inside the vehicle was reported stolen Saturday morning from a Silvermine Road driveway, according to police.
The stolen car was involved in a pursuit with New York State Police, but no arrests have been made and the vehicle has not been recovered, Police Chief Leon Krolikowski said in a press release.
“Another unlocked vehicle in the same driveway was entered but nothing was stolen from it,” the chief said in the press release.
In addition, about $5,000 worth of golf gear was reported stolen on the morning of March 25 from unlocked vehicle in a Cheese Spring Road, the chief said. Two days later, at about 2:26 a.m. on March 27, officers responded to Mill Road on a report of vehicles being entered by suspects riding in a dark-colored SUV.
“While investigating this incident, officers located a Honda Accord that had been stolen in Bridgeport on March 27,” the chief said. “In addition, investigating officers found an unlocked vehicle parked in a driveway that was entered and several residential mailboxes that had been entered.”
The news comes on the heels of reports from police that vehicles on White Oak Shade Lane and Charter Oak Drive were illegally entered, with items stolen from them, the prior week. Through the first two months of 2021, police have received reports of 10 larcenies from motor vehicles, up from seven in the year-ago period. Stolen vehicles were up to six through February 2021, compared to zero in the first two months of 2020, police have said.
“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, criminal gangs are active throughout Fairfield County,” Krolikowski said. “In the past, some of the vehicles stolen in Fairfield County were used in violent crimes. We urge our residents to be more cautious and practice good crime prevention strategies. This carelessness is putting our entire Town at risk.”
He issued the following prevention tips:
1. 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.
2. LIGHT UP YOUR HOME: At night, keep the perimeter of your home & driveway well lit. Low energy lighting switched on and off by photoelectric sensors (low light switches) is a cost-effective way to discourage criminals.
3. 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 in our Town involve unlocked vehicles.
4. SECURE VALUABLES: NEVER leave valuables in your vehicle. Often, identity theft occurs when drivers’ licenses and credit cards are stolen.
5. USE YOUR ALARM SYSTEM: ALWAYS activate your home and car alarm systems. Many successful crimes that occur in our Town involve houses or cars that have alarm systems that were not activated.
6. 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.