Teen, 15, Caught Burglarizing Vehicles Overnight: West Hartford Police

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A 15-year-old juvenile was caught burglarizing vehicles in West Hartford during the overnight hours on Saturday, according to police. An officer on patrol spotted a suspicious person wearing dark clothing and carrying a backpack on the sidewalk in the area of Park Road near Troy Street at about 4:10 on Oct. 14, according to Lt. Michael Perruccio.

As the officer got closer, the male suspect quickly tried to hide behind a shrub. Perruccio said the officer approached the suspect, who gave conflicting statements about his activities and agreed to let the officer search the backpack.

Inside the bag was a large wrench, a large tangle of various charging cords, a Zip-Loc bag containing $8.14 in loose change, head phones, a silver house key with FOB, and two Garmin GPS units, according to Perruccio.

“These items appeared consistent with car burglaries,” Perruccio said in a press release. “The officer then learned the man was 15 years old. The officer turned the GPS units on and pressed the ‘home’ buttons. One GPS home address was on Milton Street and the other was on Maplewood Avenue.

“Officers went to Milton and Maplewood and found vehicles that were unlocked and appeared to have been gone through. Additionally, both vehicles had Garmin GPS holders mounted in the vehicle with no GPS present. Both cars that had been burglarized had been left unlocked by their owners.”

The 15-year-old suspect was turned over to a parent and issued a juvenile summons for third-degree burglary and sixth-degree larceny with a court date of 1Oct. 24.

“The West Hartford Police Department continues their efforts to catch burglars in the act, reminds citizens to not leave valuables in their cars, and to please lock their vehicles,” Perruccio said.

Police also advise residents to take the following steps and precautions to avoid become a victim of a car burglary:

The old adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," is truer today than ever before.

In simple terms: If you like it, lock it or leave it home.

The West Hartford Police Department will make every effort to provide you with the tools you will need to better protect yourself. Together, you and your Police Department can make a difference and will collectively maintain the outstanding reputation our Town has for being a safe and spirited community

PROTECTING YOUR VALUABLES

Take with you, leave at home, or store in your trunk, the following:

• GPS units
• Personal bags:

• Purse
• Wallet
• Gym bag
• Back packs
• Brief case
• Cell Phones
• MP3 / iPods
• Laptops /Tablets
• Electronic handheld games
• Chargers (Thieves may assume that the device to be charged is hidden under the seat or in an interior compartment)
• Loose change

PARKING TIPS

• Begin with basic car protection: Windows Up, Doors Locked, Alarm Engaged
• Park in a well-lit location
• Avoid having your car concealed by larger vehicles, fences or foliage; thieves like to work in private.
• Stow valuables before parking. Experienced thieves often stake out parking lots to watch for people putting items in their trunk. Help prevent car break-ins by putting valuables into your trunk before you get to the parking lot.
• Take your keys with you. If you think you have a great hiding place for a spare key, think twice. Thieves know to look above the visor, in the center console, under the floor mat, in the trunk.
• If you park your vehicle in a garage at home, lock you garage doors.

REPORT IT

If you see suspicious activity or a break-in in progress: REPORT IT! Call 911 immediately! Give as much information as possible to the dispatcher.

• Location of the incident: Address, cross street, specific location in the parking lot
• Description of the suspect: Gender, race, age, height, weight, hair, facial hair, clothing, tattoos, piercing's
• Direction: Give the direction of travel if the suspect flees. If the suspect flees in a vehicle, give the description of the vehicle, color, make, model and license plate.

LIKE IT, LOCK IT, KEEP IT!

Questions? Call West Hartford Police Department, (860) 523-5203, www.westhartfordct.gov/police

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