Wethersfield Police: Lock Car Doors Because Thieves are on The Loose

WETHERSFIELD, CT — Wethersfield police are warning residents about several incidents involving gangs of car thieves and burglars.

Since June, more than a dozen cars have been stolen in Wethersfield, and many more thefts from vehicles have been reported, police said on Monday.

A "common issue" in almost all of the cases involved cars are being left unlocked, often with the keys inside them or nearby, police said.

"Large groups of teenagers have been going out very late at night to low-traffic, suburban neighborhoods, pulling on car door handles," Police said. The teenagers will steal wallets, laptops, phones, GPS units or any other small items of value from any car that is unlocked. When the keys are inside the car, they will steal it, as well."

In just the past four weeks, the Hartford Police Department has recovered 99 stolen vehicles, 75 of which were from surrounding towns, Wethersfield police said. When the thieves enter a car with a "key fob ignition," it often starts because the key fob is in the car or in an adjacent vehicle, Wethersfield police said.

Once the car starts, the fob typically does not have to stay in the car for the car to keep running, Wethersfield police said.

"So please, tell your friends, family and neighbors to lock your cars, and do not leave the keys nearby," Wethersfield police said.