Orange Man's Car Broken Into, His Loaded Gun Stolen, Now He's Charged

Orange police say on Wednesday morning the Police Department responded to numerous reports of unlocked cars being entered in the Northeast section of town.

In each case, the car’s owner had failed to lock the car, unknown subjects had entered the car and removed items of varying value, police said.

Vincent Brescia, 66, of Ferry Road, had called to report that his vehicle, a 2012 Nissan Frontier had been left unlocked during the overnight hours and that a loaded .38 caliber revolver was taken from the unlocked glove box, police said. The gun did not have a trigger lock affixed.

Brescia expressed remorse about failing to lock the car with the gun inside, police said. He was placed under arrest for reckless endangerment, police said.

He was released on a promise to appear in Derby Superior court on Sept. 29. Brescia’s pistol permit was seized and remitted to the State Police Weapons unit for review.

Police processed Brescia’s vehicle and several items were secured as evidence to be forwarded to the State Lab for further analysis, police said.

“Over the last several months, several communities have experienced a rash of thefts from unsecured cars in residential neighborhoods. Time and time again, we have urged residents through press releases, automated calls and social media to remove valuables from cars during the overnight hours and to lock their cars,” Orange police said in a statement. “The theft of a firearm punctuates the importance of securing valuables. Additionally, the owner of an improperly secured firearm which is stolen will be held to the highest level of accountability.”