Danbury Car Thief Locked Keys in Car: Cops

A Danbury man is facing charges after police say he and his friend stole two cars.

According to police, officers were dispatched to the CVS on South Street around 5 p.m. on Sept. 12 after an off-duty police officer saw an intoxicated male in the parking lot. The man, identified as Justin Balzarini, 20, was then seen trying to unlock a Honda Civic with a coat hanger, police said.

Balzarini then allegedly ran off on foot.

Officers arrived and were able to talk to Balzarini who told them his friend had locked his car keys in the car, police said. Police checked the registration on the car, which came back with no information but after checking the VIN number they found the car had been stolen earlier from LaJoie’s Auto and Scrap.

Balzarini then allegedly told officers he and his friend had stolen two cars from LaJoie’s.

The first was the Honda Civic which they drove around and then parked in the CVS parking lot, police said. They then went back and stole a Ford Explorer and drove it until it ran out of gas at the St. Gregory’s Church parking lot.

The Ford Explorer caused damage to the lawn area, police said.

Balzarini reportedly told police he went back to the Honda Civic because he left items in it. He then accidentally locked the keys in the vehicle.

Police recovered both vehicles.

Balzarini was charged with two counts of third-degree larceny, possession of burglary tools, third-degree criminal trespassing and use of a motor vehicle without permission. He was released on a written promise to appear in court on Sept. 21.

Police are working to identify any other suspects in the case.

Image via Danbury PD