Police on Sunday received complaints that two Jeeps had been stolen from residential driveways in New Canaan, officials said.
A 2017 Wrangler and 2016 Cherokee were stolen from Barnegat Road and upper Elm Street, respectively, according to Police Chief Leon Krolikowski.
In each case, the stolen cars were unlocked with key fobs inside, he said in a press release.
The Jeep Cherokee was recovered, damaged, on Oenoke Ridge Road, he said.
“In addition, on May 5, 2019, our Department received reports of unlocked vehicles being entered on Frogtown Road and Barnegat Road,” Krolikowski said in the release. “These vehicle thefts and the vehicle entries occurred during the early morning hours. It is probable that these crimes are being committed by gang members. Many towns in Fairfield County are experiencing similar crimes and some of these stolen vehicles have been used in robberies and drive-by shootings.”
The thefts mark the first reported stolen vehicles this calendar year. A Mercedes had been stolen from a Weeburn Drive home in December.
Krolikowski issued the following crime prevention tips:
- Keys: When unattended NEVER leave the keys to your home or 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 & 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 in our Town 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 in our Town involve houses or cars that have alarm systems that were not activated.
- Security video cameras: Consider installing a security/video camera that covers the interior/exterior of your residence and the street near it. The price point of good quality camera systems has dropped recently making this a wise investment.
Be better informed, connected, and send anonymous tips to our Department by downloading the “MYPD” application in the iPhone or Android marketplace. After downloading the application search for “New Canaan” and get connected. Follow us on Twitter@newcanaanpolice for crime alerts. Never hesitate to contact NCPD at 203-594-3500 for assistance.
Mike- Can we just stop calling these thefts and use the term “offerings”? In the last two weeks I saw two vehicles valued at over $60,000 each, unattended and RUNNING in parking lots of local stores. People are virtually asking for their cars to be taken.
It’s a head scratcher, Lou, and part of what’s worrying for the wider community is that these criminals continue to return to New Canaan, and there’s no telling what would happen if they were confronted by a homeowner. You may recall that in the December incident on Weeburn Drive, security footage caught the car thieves trying the doors of houses in the neighborhood. Are they armed? The police chief notes that the stolen cars often are used in drive-by shootings.