Items Stolen From Unlocked Vehicles In New Canaan: Police

NEW CANAAN, CT — Residents are reminded to lock their vehicles and take valuables inside with them after a number of items were recently stolen from unlocked cars parked in New Canaan.

In a news release, Chief of Police Leon Krolikowski said the owner of a Ford Escape reported Friday a pocket book was taken from the center console of her vehicle, which was left unlocked.

According to the owner, the theft occurred the previous day while the vehicle was parked at the Country Club of New Canaan sometime between 5:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The purse contained a driver's license, credit cards, social security card, cash, a debit card and a check book, Krolikowski said.

The owner of a Chevy Equinox also reported several credit cards and a driver's license stolen from their vehicle, which was unlocked, sometime between 2:45 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. Thursday while the vehicle was parked at the New Canaan Mounted Troop on Carter Street.

On July 31, a purse containing cash, debit cards, credit cards, health insurance cards and a driver's license was reported stolen from a vehicle parked at Irwin Park on Weed Street. The owner thought the vehicle was locked but may have inadvertently unlocked it, Krolikowski said.

A second vehicle parked at Irwin Park was also entered on July 31 and a purse containing cash, credit cards, a debit card, driver's license, house key and possibly a pistol permit was reported stolen.

According to Krolikowski, the owner reported locking her vehicle but leaving the keys on top of the vehicle's rear tire. When the owner returned, the vehicle was locked and items were stolen.

"Thieves often target parking lots to look for valuables inside of vehicles," Krolikowski said in a news release. "Since Jan. 1 of this year, our department has investigated the theft of 25 vehicles and 30 thefts from vehicles."

Police urge residents to always lock their vehicles and take keys with them, to secure valuables and never leave valuables in a vehicle. According to Krolikowski, identity theft often occurs when driver's licenses and credit cards are stolen.