Rash of Burglaries Strike Wilton and Westport

At least three separate but possibly interrelated burglaries occurred in Wilton between the night of Friday, Aug. 6 and the morning of Saturday, Aug. 7.

The burglaries occurred within a mile of each other, on Henry Austin Dr., Sturges Ridge Rd. and Pond Rd in the southeastern portion of town near the Wilton/Weston/Westport borders. All three featured similar forced entries and stolen goods.

"They were all pretty much in the same area," said Wilton Police Department Captain John Lynch. "We're checking with other towns to see if they've had anything similar, and the time frame is consistent, we're guessing somewhere between Friday evening and Saturday morning...but we can't confirm, yet, if they're related."

At 12 Henry Austin Dr., a house was ransacked sometime around 7 p.m. according to police, including forced entry and "visible pry marks" around a window and screen that had been removed. Lynch said it was likely that the residents were away when the break-in took place and most of the items that were stolen included jewelry.

A similar break-in occurred at 12 Sturges Ridge Road, again with mostly jewelry and personal items being stolen and with the exterior displaying a forced entry. Lynch said this house was vacant, as well.

The burglary at 101 Pond Rd., meanwhile, was detected through a security alarm activation at 11:27 p.m. on Friday evening. Lynch said this is usually a "pretty good indication" that that is when the robbery was actually occurring. A window was forced open and was missing a screen, and the front door also "looked like someone had tried to pry [it] open," Lynch said. The Pond Rd. residents were still putting together a list of stolen items which, again, included jewelry.

Though Wilton Police couldn't say whether the burglaries were related, their close proximity suggests it. Furthering the idea is the fact that another burglary occurred in Westport on Forest Drive between 11 p.m. Monday and 5 a.m. Tuesday, Westport Police said.

Lt. Vincent Penna of the Westport Police Department said police believe the four burglaries are connected since all have occurred between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. where the burglars have entered through an unlocked door.

Police do not have descriptions for potential suspects or the vehicle used in the crimes. The homeowners on Forest Drive were not confronted by the burglars, Penna said.

"They thought they heard some noises in the early morning hours but didn't investigate it and when they woke up and came downstairs they noticed items were missing," he said.

Penna said some jewelry, electronics and a purse were stolen from the Westport home.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact either the Westport or Wilton Police Department.

"We've done a canvassing of the neighborhood," Lynch said, meaning investigators already questioned neighbors about any information they may have. "We'll probably do another canvassing very soon."