Darien Police Chief Urges Residents To Lock Cars, Keep Valuables Close

DARIEN, CT — Stolen valuables, cars and car burglaries are still plaguing Darien, and Police Chief Donald Anderson is urging residents to take action.

During the most recent Darien Police Commission meeting on May 4, Capt. Jeremiah Marron of the Darien Police Department recapped the previous month's worth of police activity.

From April 6 to May 3, there were three cars stolen in the overnight hours — all were unlocked with the keys inside — and two were from the same residence. There were also two overnight burglaries of unlocked cars, and one attempted burglary of a locked car.

Additionally, Marron highlighted several incidents in which credit cards, purses or wallets were stolen from residents.

A patron at Stop & Shop in Darien reported to police on April 6 that his credit cards were stolen from him unknowingly the day before and fraudulently used in Norwalk, Marron said.

On April 14, Marron noted that a Darien resident had her wallet stolen unknowingly while exiting the train. The wallet had credit cards in it which were used later in the day in New York City.

On April 30, a woman's wallet was stolen from her unattended shopping cart at Whole Foods, and fraudulent purchases were later made at an Apple Store, police said.

"It's a familiar refrain. This has been happening for far too long," Anderson said following Marron's update. "Cars are still being left with the keys in it. Invariably, they're the only ones stolen, and purses are being left unattended in shopping carts."

Anderson said residents should keep an eye on their pocketbooks or purses when in any shopping plaza or grocery store in town. Valuables should also be removed from cars.

"Our detectives do a fine job of tracking things down like credit cards and making arrests after the fact, but we'd much rather have it not occur in the first place," Anderson added. "The lion's share of responsibility for the protection of your property lies with you."