Derby Man Detains Suspect

A Mountain Street who heard a noise outside his home early Sunday ended up catching one of two men trying to break into his car.

“The resident was awoken after hearing someone banging on something,” Lt. Justin Stanko said. ​“He came outside and saw two people trying to break into his vehicle in his driveway. He was able to detain one. The other person fled.”

The resident didn’t touch the suspect.

“He just ordered him to stay there,” Stanko said.

Police arrested Roberto Sanchez, 18, of Ansonia. He is charged with third-degree burglary, third-degree criminal attempt at burglary, third-degree larceny and criminal mischief.

The arrest was made at about 6 a.m. Click here for a map.

Stanko said police are applying for an arrest warrant for the second suspect. He dropped several stolen items as he ran away. Police realized the pair had busted into several vehicles.

“As the morning went on, people awoke and started reporting various car break-ins,” Stanko said. “We were able to recover evidence from three different car break-ins and return the property to the owners.”

Sanchez is due in Superior Court in Derby July 29.

In the age of small, portable electronic devices, vehicle break-ins have become a common crime. Last week Ansonia police Chief Kevin Hale told the Valley Indy of similar incidents in Ansonia. The Valley was also hit with a rash of car break-ins last summer.

Navigational units are popular among thieves. Stanko said a thief will smash a window and rummage through a car upon seeing the residue of suction cups that stick to front windshields.

Stanko urged residents to clear personal items out of cars — cell phones, money, detachable radios — and to make sure vehicles are locked.

In addition, don’t think that just because your car is parked in a driveway you are safe from thieves, Stanko said.

Residential car break-ins often happen at night.

Stanko said residents shouldn’t hesitate to call police if they see people out late at night — especially if the person is peeking into parked cars.

“If you see people walking around late at night acting suspiciously, call the police. Call 911, say you’ve got a group of people walking on so-and-so street. Police will be there in minutes,” he said.

Derby police Chief Gene Mascolo said residents should also be vigilant during the day.

“It is always prudent for residents to lock their cars and remove their GPS devices — even when dashing into a store briefly,” Mascolo said. “Perps look for targets of opportunity and often hit cars with open doors and GPS units on the dash. Home driveways or cars parked on the road are a favorite, but cars barked in busy shopping centers are not immune,” the chief said.

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