4 Vehicles Burglarized In Darien: Police

DARIEN, CT — Local authorities are investigating four vehicle break-ins, all reported on Aug. 4, in which three of the four vehicles were unlocked, according to Darien police, as thieves continue to target Darien and other affluent communities.

Two of the burglaries on Aug. 4 were into vehicles - a 2013 BMW X5 and a 2015 Ford F-150 - parked at a residence on Rainbow Circle.

The owner of the vehicles told police that both were unlocked, and the last time he saw them was at about 8:30 p.m. on the 3rd.

"At approximately [7:10 a.m.] on 08-04- 2017, he discovered that both vehicles had been entered," wrote police in a statement. "Taken from the BMW was an Apple iPad valued at approximately $500.00 which had been in the front console area. Nothing was taken from the Ford truck. There are no suspects at this time and the investigation is ongoing."

In the second incident, an unlocked 2010 Toyota Prius parked at a home on Leroy Avenue was broken into.

"The vehicle owner reported she was in the area visiting relatives and that the vehicle involved had been parked in the driveway for approximately two weeks," wrote police, adding that the car is registered in New Hampshire. "On 08-04-2017, she discovered that the vehicle had been entered with the glove box left open
and its contents strewn on the floor of the vehicle. Nothing was taken from the vehicle and there was no sign of damage."

Darien police obtained surveillance video from a nearby camera system that showed a vehicle parking on Shadbush Lane and a male suspect walking over to the Prius and breaking in at about 1:15 a.m. on July 28. The investigation into this incident is also continuing.

The third incident involved a "smash and grab" break-in where a window of a locked 2012 Lexus RX was smashed while it was parked at the Darien YMCA on the Post Road on Aug. 4.

"The victim, a 64-year-old Darien resident, reported he had parked his vehicle in the east side of the lot at approximately 3:05 PM," wrote police. "Shortly before contacting this agency, he returned to the vehicle to find that it had been broken into. Entry into the vehicle had been made by smashing the rear passenger
window.

"Taken from the vehicle was a brown leather briefcase which had contained a wallet, credit cards and identification. Also taken from this vehicle was an umbrella and an iPad Air. Total value for the missing items was estimated at $1400.00."

Police said the significantly damaged iPad was later recovered by Darien officers after it at the exit 13 off ramp on I-95 where the thieves apparently tossed it.

"There was surveillance video obtained from the YMCA," wrote police. "The suspects were observed to be two black males who exited a dark colored Honda Odyssey at approx. 4:07 PM. The plate on the Honda appeared to be a Florida license plate. One suspect observed on video was wearing a gray hoodie, black shorts and black sneakers. The second suspect was wearing a green shirt."

No other vehicles in the parking lot were damaged or broken into. The investigation is continuing.

Photo credit: Norwell, MA Police Department