Pair Of Stolen Vehicles Reported In New Canaan: Update

NEW CANAAN, CT — Two vehicles reportedly were stolen in New Canaan sometime between Sunday night and early Monday morning, New Canaan police announced in posts on the department's Twitter page.

In both cases, the vehicles were unlocked and the keys had been left inside. One, an Acura MDX was stolen from a driveway on Woodridge Drive, and the other, a Range Rover, was stolen from a home on Kimberly Place.

"Thus far this year, all of the vehicles stolen in our Town involved unlocked vehicles with the keys were left inside," wrote New Canaan police in a statement. "In addition to these vehicle thefts, many thefts of valuables from unlocked vehicles occurred. Often, these thefts result in identity thefts.

"Criminal gang members from Bridgeport, Hartford and Waterbury are suspects and/or have been arrested for these crimes."

Last month, the department issued tips on how New Canaan residents can avoid car thefts, and again are offering similar recommendations:

These crimes may have been prevented by following the tips below:

1. KEYS: NEVER leave the keys to your home or car inside a vehicle or in a place where a thief can find them.

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 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.

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. The majority of successful crimes that occur in our Town involve houses or cars that have alarm systems that were not activated.

Patch file photo