3 Unlocked Vehicles Reported Stolen In New Canaan: Police Chief

NEW CANAAN, CT — Three luxury vehicles were reported stolen in New Canaan over the weekend, and police Chief Leon Krolikowski says the thefts could have been avoided if the owners had locked the vehicles and not left the keys inside.

In addition to the three stolen vehicles, another five reportedly were burglarized over the weekend, and all five of those vehicles also had been left unlocked.

"Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, criminal gangs are active throughout Fairfield County," Krolikowski said. "In the past, some of the vehicles stolen in Fairfield County were used in violent crime.

"We urge our residents to be more cautious and practice good crime prevention strategies," he added. "This carelessness is putting our entire town at risk."

The first of the reported thefts occurred sometime during the overnight/early morning hours of Aug. 16 on Gower Road, according to Krolikowski. An unlocked 2020 Lexus RX350 was taken from in front of a home, the keys had been left inside; another unlocked vehicle at the home also was burglarized but not stolen. The vehicle was later recovered in Waterbury.

Also during the overnight/early morning hours of the 16th, an unlocked 2020 Volvo Xc40 T5 was reported stolen from a home on Canoe Hill Road. The keys had been left inside; this vehicle was recovered in Bridgeport.

The third stolen vehicle, an unlocked 2014 Audi A6 3.0 Q, was taken from the driveway of a home on Main Street. Again, the keys had been left inside, but this vehicle has not been recovered.

Of the five vehicle burglaries, stolen were "loose change, a garage door opener, and a car key belonging to the vehicle entered," according to Krolikowski. He added that these vehicles had been parked in driveways or on the road on Brushy Ridge Road, Gower Road, Laurel Road and Sturbridge Hill Road.

Such thefts, while not quite common, have become too frequent in New Canaan over the past few years. Last month, three teenagers were arrested in connection with vehicle break-ins in town, and Krolikowski has issued similar statements in the past about stolen vehicles and burglaries.

The chief offered the following tips to help prevent such crimes:

1. KEYS: When unattended NEVER leave the key to your home or key/key fob to your car inside a vehicle or in a place where a thief can find them. Do not leave the valet key, key fob or garage door opener inside of your vehicle.

2. LIGHT UP YOUR HOME: At night, keep the perimeter of your home & driveway well lit. Low energy lighting switched on and off by photoelectric sensors (low light switches) is a cost-effective way to discourage criminals.

3. LOCK-UP: ALWAYS lock all doors, garage doors and windows of your car and home whenever you leave, day or night, even for a short time. If you have a garage, put your car in it and lock/alarm both the car and the garage. All of the thefts from vehicles and vehicle thefts that occur in our Town involve unlocked vehicles.

4. SECURE VALUABLES: NEVER leave valuables in your vehicle. Often, identity theft occurs when drivers’ licenses and credit cards are stolen.

5. USE YOUR ALARM SYSTEM: ALWAYS activate your home and car alarm systems. Many successful crimes that occur in our Town involve houses or cars that have alarm systems that were not activated.

6. SECURITY-VIDEO CAMERAS: Consider installing a good quality security/video camera that covers the interior/exterior of your residence and the street near it. The price point of camera systems has dropped recently making this a wise investment.

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Never hesitate to contact NCPD at 203-594-3500 for assistance.