Another unlocked vehicle with its key inside was stolen last week from a New Canaan driveway, according to the police chief.
The Summit Ridge Road theft of a 2017 Infinity QX60 was reported at 10:01 a.m. on Sept. 11, Police Chief Leon Krolikowski said in a press release. Several other unlocked vehicles were illegally entered overnight Thursday to Friday, the chief said, including on Orchard Drive where sunglasses were stolen and on Old Stamford Road where a wallet with credit cards was stolen and the credit cards then used in Fairfield and West Haven.
There have now been 21 vehicles reported stolen in New Canaan so far this year, the chief said, and 34 larcenies from vehicles.
“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, criminal gangs are active throughout Fairfield County,” he said in the release. “In the past, some of the vehicles stolen in Fairfield County were used in violent crime. We urge our residents to be more cautious and practice good crime prevention strategies.”
Those include:
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.