Vehicle, Mail Stolen In Weekend Crime Spree: New Canaan Police

NEW CANAAN, CT — A 2020 Ford Explorer, as well as mail and packages, were reported stolen from homes in New Canaan over the weekend, according to police.

In a news release, Chief of Police Leon Krolikowski said a Rosebrook Road resident reported the Ford Explorer stolen Friday morning around 8:30 a.m. The owner told police the car was unlocked with the keys inside.

That same day, items were reported stolen from a vehicle parked on Turtleback Lane West, Krolikowski said.

On Saturday, officers investigated numerous reports of stolen mail and packages in town.

According to Krolikowski, a Wachackme Road resident reported finding a pile of mail belonging to various residents of Mayanos Road, Chichester Road and Wahackme Road. A United States Postal worker also reported finding mail scattered along Toquam Road and Windrow Lane.

Officers checked surrounding neighborhoods and discovered several pieces of mail scattered on various lawns on Weed Street, Windrow Lane, and West Road, Krolikowski said. The mail was returned to the owners.

A United States Postal worker also reported a large collection of mail and packages on the ground on Mariomi Road. While checking the area, officers discovered mail had also been discarded on Cheesespring Road, Krolikowski said.

"New Canaan police made contact with the Wilton Police Department and learned they too had similar reports of stolen mail and in their town," Krolikowski said in a news release.

Krolikowski provided the following tips to help prevent mail thefts:

1. BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR: Get to know your neighbors, watch out for them, and report suspicious activity in your neighborhood immediately.
2. CHECK YOUR MAIL OFTEN AND AVOID LEAVING MAIL IN YOUR RESIDENTIAL MAILBOX: Avoid leaving mail in your unsecure residential mailbox. Bring sensitive outgoing mail to the post office rather than leaving mail in your residential mailbox for pick-up.
3. CONSIDER GETTING A LOCKING RESIDENTIAL MAILBOX: There are many residential mailbox options that allow mail to be delivered, but requires a key to retrieve the mail.
4. REPORT MAIL THEFT TO OUR DEPARTMENT AND TO THE USPS at this link.
5. REQUEST A VACATION HOLD EVEN IF YOU ARE ONLY AWAY FOR A FEW DAYS: More information available here.
6. SIGN UP FOR INFORMED DELIVERY SO THAT YOU WILL KNOW WHEN SENSITIVE MAIL WILL ARRIVE: More information here.

Please remember to always lock your vehicles and take the keys with you," Krolikowski said. "Secure valuables; never leave valuables in your vehicle. Often, identity theft occurs when drivers' licenses and credit cards are stolen."