Stolen Cars in Branford Spiking Again After Declining for Awhile

BRANFORD, CT - Last month Branford Police Chief Kevin Halloran reported that the trend of thefts from cars and car thefts seemed to be finally slowing down after a several month period of alarming increases.

At the July meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners, Halloran told the board he may have been too optimistic.

"We seem to be seeing another uptick in stolen cars," Halloran told the commission, quickly adding the problem wasn't just Branford's.

"This is a problem in Branford, the state of Connecticut and nationwide," the chief said, stating that he's seen reports that gangs of youth are even treating the crime of breaking into cars as "some sort of game" in which they "taunt police."

Halloran said Branford has already seen more cars stolen in Branford half way through 2018 than the town did through the entire year of 2017.

He laid the blame on where he has in the past - the fact that laws have been lessened against the crime of auto theft so that those who commit the crime don't fear the consequence of going to jail.

Halloran said the typical way the crime is committed these days is a group of 18-25 year olds come to a neighborhood together and begin looking for cars that aren't locked - first to see if anything is of value to steal and second, "to steal and take on a joy ride."

Halloran said the cars are most often recovered "but not in the same condition as you left it." He said cars stolen in Branford are most often located in New Haven, Hamden, Ansonia and Woodbridge.

Halloran described the issue as more than a $1 million problem for Branford and other area towns, adding that doesn't even factor in the additional cost of increase in car insurance premiums people must eat when their vehicles are stolen.

The chief said part of the issue his department is having stopping the crime is "there is no rhyme nor reason" where the thefts are occurring - stating they could happen at anytime and any neighborhood in Branford.

He reiterated what he has said many times in the past - that the past way to prevent the crime is to simply "lock your car, even if it's in your own driveway."