State police warn car owners about break-ins

WESTBROOK — Over the past two weekends, multiple towns in the Connecticut State Police Troop F coverage area have had cars burglarized and cars stolen in Old Lyme, Essex, Deep River, Westbrook and Chester.

The incidents have been occurring between midnight and 5 a.m. and many other towns statewide have dealt with similar issues over the past several months. These cases are currently under investigation, according to a press release.

All the incidents have one factor in common: The vehicles were left unlocked. Recently, the thefts were facilitated by owners leaving the keys in the vehicle, police said.

“People feel comfortable in these communities and feel that these crimes won’t occur in their neighborhood. You should know by leaving your vehicles unlocked, you are inviting these criminals to repeatedly come back into your community,” police said in the release.

“Recent investigations have revealed that the individuals committing these car breaks and vehicle thefts have also entered unlocked houses or attempted to enter houses using the keys they found in unlocked cars,” it said.

Directed patrols will be in place during the days of the week and times that these incidents have been occurring, according to authorities. For information or to report a crime, call 860-399-2100.

File photo A man demonstrates how a car thief enters the driver’s side door to commit a crime.