Darien police chief: Always lock your car doors

DARIEN — Police Chief Donald Anderson has issued a strong statement urging residents to lock their doors, saying he didn’t want to have to say, “I told you so.”

He said Darien investigators have connected a juvenile car burglary suspect from an unlocked vehicle incident in Darien to a dangerous shooting incident in another Connecticut jurisdiction.

“We are actively investigating many of our other similar incidents with a fair measure of anticipated success. Our officers are out there patrolling all of our neighborhoods, especially during the overnight hours,” he said.

Anderson said many of the stolen cars taken from Darien have turned up in some of Connecticut’s larger cities like Waterbury, Bridgeport and New Haven as well as in New York and New Jersey.

“They most assuredly have been used in many crimes, including crimes of violence,” Anderson said.

He said on Dec. 8, a Waterbury police officer was shot while investigating a stolen vehicle incident. The officer was shot as the car sped toward them.

“Thankfully, his life was saved by his ballistic vest and quick medical treatment. Apprehensions were made and additional arrests are expected. So, my question today to our residents is this: What will it take?” Anderson said.

Darien Police continue to report motor vehicle crimes.

On Dec. 7, at about 6 p.m., officers responded to BMW of Darien for the report of a stolen vehicle. A customer had dropped off a 2019 BMW X5 at the dealership for service at approximately 11 a.m., leaving the keys inside. When dealership staff went to retrieve the vehicle, police said it was missing. Surveillance footage showed an individual, unknown to dealership staff, enter the vehicle and drive it away at 11:30 a.m., police said.

Several cars were burglarized from Dec. 9 through Dec. 13, with unlocked vehicles rummaged through, police said. Darien Police also recovered a stolen car on Dec. 10.