Police: Four more cars stolen in Greenwich

GREENWICH — More than 100 cars have been stolen in Greenwich this year — a record amount — and another four were added to the total this weekend as a wave of car thefts across the region continues, police said Monday.

Old Greenwich was hit twice: a Mazda was taken on Shady

Brook Lane and a Toyota was stolen on Ford Lane, police said. It was later recovered by Connecticut State Police.

On Old Mill Road in the backcountry, a BMW was taken, police said. It was later recovered in New Jersey.

On Copper Beach Road off North Street, also in the backcountry, thieves made off with a Mercedes-Benz, police said. That vehicle was later recovered in Waterbury.

All the vehicles had been left unlocked, with the ignition devices inside, police said.

According to Greenwich Police Capt. Mark Zuccerella, police attempted to apprehend the thieves. “The patrol officers were able to prevent some thefts by observing suspicious vehicles, but when they tried to stop the cars, they fled out of Greenwich onto the highway,” he said in an email.

Last week, a group of men and juveniles were apprehended with two stolen handguns in their vehicle, police said. Five people were arrested, three of them juveniles, police said.

Car thieves are coming from across the region to steal vehicles in Greenwich and surrounding towns, according to police.

Police have been urging local residents to keep their vehicles locked up, with the keys removed.

Car thieves often use the stolen vehicles when committing other crimes, and they have also been involved in high-speed chases with officers, police said.