Purse, Cash Stolen From Vehicles In New Canaan: Police

NEW CANAAN, CT — A purse and cash were recently stolen from vehicles parked in New Canaan, according to police.

In a news release, Police Chief Leon Krolikowski said a resident reported their locked vehicle, which was parked in their driveway on Ramhorne Road, has been forcibly entered early Sunday morning.

According to Krolikowski, a rock was used to break the vehicle's window and $25 cash was stolen from the vehicle’s center console.

Later that morning, another resident reported their unlocked vehicle, which was parked in a driveway on West Cross Road, had been entered and a purse was stolen.

The purse contained cash, credit cards and a driver’s license. After the theft, some of the credit cards were used in Bridgeport and Shelton, Krolikowski said.

Police also received reports Sunday morning from West Hills Road residents that unlocked vehicles parked in their driveways had been entered, however nothing was stolen.

"Criminal gangs are active throughout Fairfield County," Krolikowski said in a news release. "In the past, some of the vehicles stolen in Fairfield County were used in violent crimes."

Police urged to residents to adhere to the following tips to prevent these types of 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.