Police: Three car theft rings operating in town

GREENWICH — Three different juvenile car theft rings were found operating in town this week, according to police.

This comes in a year that has already seen a record number of car thefts in Greenwich.

The thieves have been operating during the midnight to early morning hours, according to Capt. Mark Zuccerella, the department’s spokesman.

“The largest of these cohorts are juveniles from other cities in Connecticut. We have had success in disrupting their activities, however it is a constant concern. There are several different groups coming into town almost every night. They drive into an area of town, get out and steal unlocked vehicles with the keys/fob within them,” he said in an email.

Officers have prevented a number of thefts and made arrests this week, but the surge of car thefts is continuing at a

The vast majority of thefts involve unlocked vehicles with starting devices inside them, police said.

steady pace, police said. A number of cars have been stolen this week in different parts of town, police said, but did not provide details.

The vast majority of thefts involve unlocked vehicles with starting devices inside them, police said.

“There have been over 100 reported thefts of unlocked vehicles with the keys within from Green

wich this year,” Zuccerella said, a record number. In 2018, 58 motor vehicle thefts were reported, and 80 were reported in 2019, according to the Greenwich Police Department.

Those cases also involved unlocked cars and keys inside, a continuing pattern.

“We have had no vehicles reported stolen this year that had the keys removed and door locked,” he said.

Greenwich is not the only community targeted by young car thieves.

“The tri-state area is also

being targeted by car theft crews out of New Jersey. Their activity is very similar to the juveniles, in that they will respond to a random area of town and look for high-end model SUVs to steal. The fact the home has a long driveway, is set back off the road, or even has a gate is not a deterrent. The vehicles they steal all have the keys/fob within,” Zuccerella said.

“Our patrol strategy has been partially successful in disrupting their activity. However, with the overabundance of unlocked

vehicles coupled with the current laws failing to hold juveniles accountable for their acts, the task grows more difficult,” he said.

Police did make arrests this week involving car thefts, they said Thursday. A 26-year-old Norwalk man was charged with larceny after he was found driving a stolen vehicle at 4 a.m. Tuesday in central Greenwich, police said. Three juveniles were also apprehended, according to the police report.

Police said they received a report early morning

Tuesday about about young people breaking into cars. Dashanti Patterson-Hamlin, of Richards Avenue, Norwalk, was found to be driving a stolen car when pulled over by police, the arrest report said. Police said they found stolen items in the car, and he was driving with a juvenile at the time. Two other juveniles were also apprehended in the area, for a total of three in that one case, police said.

Patterson-Hamlin was charged with larceny, conspiracy, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and risk of injury to a minor, police said. He was released after posting bond on $2,500 bail. The juveniles were turned over to family members.

Police say residents should call authorities if they see suspicious behavior. “If you see or suspect someone is in an area stealing vehicles, do not approach them. Contact 911 immediately,” Zuccerella said.