Don't Leave Christmas Presents In Your Vehicle: Branford Police

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

BRANFORD, CT – As people get into the holiday mood by shopping for presents police are warning Branford residents about both making sure presents aren’t sitting visible in their cars and to also make sure their cars are locked.

“We had another uptick in thefts from autos and thefts of autos themselves,” Police Chief Kevin Halloran said at the most Board of Police Commission meeting.

“People are going Christmas shopping and leaving presents in their cars while they go shopping at other stores,” the chief said.

Halloran said at this time last year Branford police had responded to 80 thefts from autos. This year, already, that number is up to 111.

The chief had a theory on why the number of thefts from car is up.

He said stealing from cars and stealing a car itself has been taken off the serious juvenile offense list.

“What’s happening is when they go to court is they are getting a slap on the wrist,” said the chief.

“The thieves are looking for open cars, looking for valuables, laptops. Sometimes they get lucky and find the keys in the ignition – and just take the car,” Halloran said.

Halloran had some advice for people.

First, he said lock your cars. Second, he added if you are shopping at multiple stores – “If you buy something put it in your trunk.”