2 Vehicles Burglarized, Purses Stolen, At New Canaan's Irwin Park

NEW CANAAN, CT — Two vehicles were broken into in Irwin Park on Saturday afternoon while the owners were walking the trails, according to New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski. Both burglaries occurred between 4:15 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.

In one of the thefts, a purse valued at $500 was stolen from an unlocked vehicle. Inside the purse was an unsigned bank check for $400, a passport and a notebook containing passwords to various accounts, police said. The theft was discovered about 5:30 p.m.

The second burglary involved the thief smashing a rear passenger window to get inside, according to police.

"Upon returning to the vehicle at approximately 5:45 P.M. the owner noticed the smashed window and damage done to the bottom corner of the front passenger side window," Krolikowski said. "The owner's purse which was left in the car on the front passenger side floor was missing. The bag's estimated worth is $2,000 and contained a black wallet estimated to be worth $500. The wallet contained $50 cash, credit cards and a bank debit card."

Krolikowski said that this is not the first time vehicles in New Canaan parks have been targeted by gangs. He added that to prevent such crimes, owners should not leave valuables in their vehicles.

"Often, identity theft occurs when drivers' licenses and credit cards are stolen," he said.