New Canaan Police Department detectives are investigating two daytime thefts of motor vehicles downtown, officials say.
The thefts occurred “while one victim was attempting to pump gas at the Mobil station and the other was shopping at the Acme,” according to a press release issued Tuesday by NCPD.
“The majority of the cars are stolen in the overnight hours from residential driveways where the keys or key fob is left inside the unlocked vehicle,” the release said. In the two most recent incidents, “cars left unlocked or unattended have been stolen from the downtown area,” it said.
It wasn’t clear from the press release whether police believe the same suspects were involved in the two recent thefts.
Overall, stolen vehicles declined in 2025, down to 18 from 38 the prior year. One daytime SUV theft, from February 2025, did involve a car left running downtown with a dog inside, officials have said—the victim has challenged some details provided by police in that case. The dog was recovered and an arrest was made in that case.
“This is a regional issue that extends beyond New Canaan, with organized groups targeting affluent areas,” the press release said. “These incidents happen extremely quickly where it is a crime of opportunity that keys have been left in an unlocked vehicle.”
Police urge residents to call 911 immediately in cases of stolen vehicles.
“However, do not confront anyone, your safety is paramount,” the press release said.
NCPD is urging residents to take these precautions to cut down on the thefts:
- Always lock your car doors and windows, even for short periods.
- Never leave your car running.
- Take all keys, spare keys and key fobs with you and when home secure these inside your house.
- Remove or conceal all valuables out of sight (purses, handbags, electronics, cash) from plain sight.
- Park smart and be aware of your surroundings, especially in public parking lots.