A Derby resident submitted this photo of a suspect allegedly checking out a car near the Bradley School.
Valley law enforcement are trying to track down a group of bandits who’ve been burglarizing vehicles all over the place.
A “rash” of motor vehicles have been reported in Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, and elswehere, Ansonia Police Chief Andrew Cota said during a Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday (May 12).
Cota’s comments were in response to a question from First Ward Alderman Charlie Stowe.
“The last few days or last week or so, it’s been predominantly the Hilltop (area of Ansonia),” Cota said. “We are very well aware. Our midnight crews are aware. It seems to be overnight. There is a group going around Ansonia, Derby, Shelton, Seymour, Woodbridge, Orange, Milford entering cars.”
The chief said that the cars in Ansonia were all unlocked.
“They’re looking for valuables in the car. Anything of value, computers, wallets, they are taking,” Cota said.
Cota said area police departments are sharing info and may have a idea of some people and vehicles involved in the thefts. A few cars have been stolen because keys were left in vehicles, he said.
“We definitely know there is a lot going on,” Cota said.
Derby police said they’ve had 10 car burglaries and nine car thefts since March 1.
Derby Police Lt. Justin Stanko also urged residents to lock their vehicles and to not leave anything behind.
Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch said that since May 1 there have been 14 car break-ins and one car stolen. Police also recovered a reported stolen car in the area where the break-ins were happening.
The Valley Indy emailed Seymour police for statistics.
Cota noted that Milford police recently charged seven people in connection to car burglaries in that municipality.
