'Suspicious Vehicle Incidents' Investigated By Darien Police

DARIEN, CT — The Darien Police Department said this week it is currently conducting a "thorough investigation" into four separate suspicious vehicle incidents that occurred on Aug. 25, Sept. 10, Sept. 13 and Sept. 15.

"All individuals initially identified as persons of interest have been cleared of involvement. To date, the only footage of a suspect vehicle from any of the incidents that the Darien Police Department has been able to locate originates from the first incident," Darien Police Chief Jeremiah Marron said in a news release. "While these images have been enhanced, no additional leads have emerged. Although each case is being handled with the highest level of diligence, there is no evidence at this time to suggest a connection between the incidents. The investigations remain active, and ongoing."

Marron added there is no reason to believe there is an immediate threat to the public.

"The Darien Police Department urges everyone to remain calm and avoid sharing unverified information or rumors about these incidents, as it can lead to unnecessary alarm," Marron added. The public is encouraged to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity or information to police.

On Aug. 25 at approximately 3:25 p.m. near Heather Lane and Briar Brae, a silver/gray or tan SUV approached a boy and engaged in a brief conversation, asking if they were associated with another individual and inquiring about a possible dropped item, believed to be a bicycle light, Marron said.

The vehicle then left the area, and the operator was described as an older man with gray hair. Two separate meetings were held with the boy and his mother to identify possible DMV photo matches.

Following a thorough investigation, all identified persons and vehicles of interest have been ruled out, Marron said.

On Sept. 10, another incident was reported at 2:53 p.m. near Royle School on Mansfield Avenue.

"Three juveniles reported being approached by a male driver, estimated to be in his 60s, with blondish-gray slicked-back hair and a stubble beard," Marron said. "The driver made a comment directed at one of the juveniles that caused discomfort. He also claimed to be looking for his grandson and was seen driving in both directions along Mansfield Avenue."

The vehicle involved is described as a silver or gray SUV. A canvass of the area was conducted, but no video footage was obtained, as nearby residences either did not have active camera subscriptions or their systems did not capture the incident, according to Marron.

A third incident occurred on Sept. 13 between 8:24 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. on Middlesex Road, near Holmes School.

"During this timeframe, two juveniles were approached by the driver of a small Nissan vehicle who offered them a ride to school. Both juveniles declined the offer, and the vehicle departed the area," Marron said, noting that descriptions of the vehicle vary, with one child identifying it as a small green Nissan and the other describing it as a small gray Nissan.

The operator of the vehicle is described as an older woman with brown hair, wearing a pink shirt, and speaking with a Spanish accent, Marron said.

A nearby parent did not report observing any suspicious activity. Following the incident, a canvass of the area was conducted, however, no video footage was obtained as nearby residences either did not have active camera subscriptions or their systems did not capture the incident, Marron said.

On Sept. 15 at approximately 12:30 p.m., the Darien police responded to a report from Pleasant Street where three youths observed a silver SUV, possibly an older Honda Pilot, delivering food to a nearby residence.

After the delivery, the SUV reportedly slowed down and, according to the youths, the driver might have taken a photograph of them with a cellphone before driving off towards Gardiner Street, Marron said.

A canvass of the area yielded no video footage of the vehicle. The driver was described as a man, possibly Hispanic, with a black beard and hair, wearing a dark T-shirt. No license plate was captured, and Nest camera footage from the delivery location shows the DoorDash employee using a cellphone but the context of the use is unknown at this time, Marron noted.

The investigation is ongoing, and there is no current evidence linking this incident to other reported cases.