Statistics show stolen vehicles, larceny from vehicles has increased

On May 26, a New Canaan resident strolled out to their driveway to see their Land Rover had been stolen. Inside, a bevy of valuables including the owner’s wallet, bag, credit cards, license and laptop were all taken. It was later found in Bridgeport, minus many of the homeowner’s valuables.

According to Police Chief Leon Krolikowski, this is an all-too common occurrence that has increased in frequency in New Canaan and around Fairfield County for the past few years.

“They are increasing again this year,” Krolikowski said. “It is very unusual for us to see this many car thefts, but now we are on track to see unprecedented numbers. We had 30 last year and are on track for more this year if the trend continues.”

The most recent incident on May 26 marks 18 stolen vehicles for the calendar year 2021 thus far. The New Canaan Police Department recorded a total of 27 stolen vehicles from residents in 2020.

This issue of theft has persisted beyond the borders of New Canaan, though.

“This has happened all across Fairfield County, and even the state,” Krolikowski said.

In neighboring Wilton, the numbers of stolen vehicles rose from 2019 to 2020, jumping from seven to nine in the mostly quiet suburb. To date in 2021, Wilton has seen six stolen vehicles, making it on par for another jump in car thefts if the trend continues.

Perhaps the most stark jump year-over-year has been in Ridgefield, where 2019 only saw three stolen vehicles. In 2020, that number jumped to 30 and the department has seen eight already this year.

“This is really one of the most preventable crimes,” Krolikowski explained before pleading with Fairfield County residents. “Don’t leave your keys in your cars. It is highly unlikely that someone will break into it and take it otherwise.”

That advice has indeed been Krolikowski’s response to any inquiry about car theft prevention. He said that, in many instances, he has been told by victims of theft that they had left their key in some compartment of the vehicle in the driveway, making it easier for thieves to take the car. This has not just been an issue of the older population either, he said, but ranges from victims of all ages.

“I think it is more a trend with technology, with key fobs and keyless entry,” the police chief said. “Some people might forget, it could be a convenience issue, but it is across the board. It is not just the older population.”

He added that “maybe the most concerning thing” is that some victims have been hit multiple times.

The chief has seen many of the cars recovered in Bridgeport, Waterbury and Hartford. He has even seen criminals come to the area from out of state, including an organized crime ring from Florida which he refers to as the “Felony Lane Gang.”

Stolen vehicles haven't just been a big issue in Fairfield County, but larcenies from vehicles continue to persist as well. The number of valuables stolen in one vehicle can affect more than just the car’s owner.

Wilton Police Captain Robert Cipolla released Wilton’s statistics of larcenies from vehicles but qualified that the number of occurrences does not tell the bigger story.

“A theft from a motor vehicle incident may involve a crime spree resulting in multiple victims related to one incident,” Cipolla clarified. In the report, Wilton included numbers of ‘unique victims’ in each crime.

In 2019, there were 33 larcenies from vehicles in Wilton, with 42 unique victims. In 2020, that number rose to 35 larcenies from vehicles with 58 unique victims. This year, Cipolla and his department have seen 21 instances of larcenies from vehicles with 29 unique victims.

Ridgefield saw another jump in crime from 2019 to 2020 with larcenies from vehicles spiking from 30 to 50. To date in 2021, they have accounted for nine.

New Canaan has seen 16 larcenies from vehicles to date this year, and hopes to slow the trend, which increased from 2019 to 2020, jumping from 31 to 48.

The biggest concern for police departments in any kind of theft involving a vehicle is the stealing of one's identity.

“Shortly thereafter breaking in and getting an identification, criminals can impersonate them and aim to take money from their bank accounts,” Krolikowski explained.

His parting words of advice to Fairfield County residents were stern and serious.

“Lock your car doors, take your keys inside and do not leave valuables in your car,” the chief pleaded. “Get a good camera system with good quality to capture the license plates of (criminals) coming into town.”