Residential Burglary Reported In New Canaan, PD Investigates

NEW CANAAN, CT — A home on Silvermine Road near Heather Drive in New Canaan reportedly was burglarized recently, and the New Canaan Police Department is investigating, according to Chief Leon Krolikowski.

The break-in was reported the morning of Aug. 13, after the homeowners returned from vacation and discovered the crime.

"The residence was entered through a rear sliding glass door that was removed by the burglars," stated Krolikowski. "A number of items were stolen during the burglary. The residence did not have an alarm system."

Chief Krolikowski offers the following tips to help you avoid becoming a burglary target:

Most burglars are not master criminals. They’re usually looking for an easy opportunity to get into a
house without being seen.

Almost all of the burglaries that we investigate involve residences that are unlocked and/or where
alarms systems are not set. Burglars love it when you make their job easier for them.

Here are some tips that will help you beat the burglars:

1. BE WARY OF UNKNOWN VISITORS: Always check the identity of visitors before admitting them to your
home. Often unsolicited offers to perform work or inspections (chimney repairs, driveway repairs,
utility company inspections, etc.) are scams or a ruse to commit a crime. Always contact our
Department via 911 if you see suspicious persons or vehicles.

2. BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR: Get to know your neighbors, watch out for them and report suspicious activity,
persons or vehicles in your neighborhood immediately. Crime prevention is the best cure.

3. DON’T LEAVE CLUES YOU ARE AWAY: If you go on vacation never leave clues that you are away.
Cancel newspaper deliveries and have someone pick-up your mail or have it held at the post office.
Never leave a message on your answering machine telling people you aren’t home. Be careful of
postings on social networks like Facebook—burglars monitor these sites to see if you are away.

4. DON’T LET BURGLARS HIDE: Keep bushes and trees well-trimmed away from the front of your home
especially near doors and windows and along pathways. Hedges provide a hiding place for burglars to
work behind.

5. KEYS: Never leave the keys to your home or car inside a vehicle or in a place where a thief can find
them. Keys placed under a doormat, flower pot, mailboxes or other “secret” hiding places may invite a
burglary. Burglars know where to look for hidden keys.

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

7. LOCK-UP: Lock all doors and windows when you leave home, day or night, even for a short time.
Burglars are opportunists and leaving a door or window open makes it easy for them.

8. MARK & SECURE VALUABLES: Mark your valuables with a unique identifying number using permanent
(visible) or ultra violet (invisible) marker pen. Inventory all valuable and/or unique items. Photographs
and video or these items may help with recovery and insurance claims. Never leave valuables in your
vehicle.

9. NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH: Work with your neighbors to improve security and reduce the risk of a
burglary. Be the eyes and ears of the neighborhood-the most important thing you can do is call our
Department to report a crime or anything suspicious.

10. SCHEDULE A SECURITY SURVEY: Contact our Department at 203-594-3512 to schedule a free security
survey. A trained police officer will survey your residence or business and will give you tips on how to
protect your property.

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

12. USE YOUR ALARM SYSTEM: Always activate your alarm system, even when you are at home, and
whenever you leave your house—even for a short time. Many successful burglaries that occur in our
Town involve houses that have alarm systems that were not activated.

Don’t give the burglar a chance. Follow our advice to help keep your home and valuables safe.

Be better informed, connected, and send anonymous tips to our Department by downloading the
“MYPD” application in the iPhone or Android marketplace. After downloading the application search for
“New Canaan” and get connected.

Follow us on Twitter@newcanaanpolice for crime alerts.

Image via Shutterstock