Crime & Safety
Stolen Cars From Ridgefield Ending Up In Waterbury: Reports
The city's mayor calls the number of stolen high-end cars a "enormous problem," and local police say a Waterbury gang may be to blame.
WATERBURY, CT — Cars stolen from other towns across Fairfield County and beyond have wound up in Waterbury, and Mayor Neil O'Leary told WTNH it is an "enourmous problem." Deputy Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said the cars were not stripped for parts, but were often taken on joyrides or to commit other crimes.
Cars from Greenwich, Fairfield, Westport, New Canaan, Ridgefield and Middletown have turned up in Waterbury. An Audi S5 stone from Ridgefield was recovered last Monday afternoon after it was reported stolen the night before.
In most cases, the victims left their vehicles unlocked with the keys inside, making their vehicle a prime target for theft.
Find out what's happening in Ridgefieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Ridgefield Police Capt. Jeff Kreitz told the Ridgefield Press that a gang from Waterbury is suspected to be responsible for the thefts. Ridgefield police investigated 11 reports of stolen vehicles, compared to three reported between 2014 and 2016.
Spagnolo told WTNH that young people in gangs are stealing the cars. A 15-year-old girl from Waterbury was shot in the back in Ridgefield after her and a group of teenagers tried to steal a car from a home on Hulda Lane.
Find out what's happening in Ridgefieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The girl and another teen were arrested after the girl showed up at Waterbury Hospital with a gunshot wound to her back.
Greenwich police Lt. John Slusarz also credited a Waterbury gang among others for swiping luxury cars in Greenwich after eight vehicles were stolen in the town in November alone. Around 35 cars were reported stolen in Fairfield from April 1 to July 27, according to the Connecticut Post.
Four cars were stolen in one weekend in November in New Canaan, prompting New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski to alert his town about the Waterbury gang's alleged involvement.
"These crimes are being committed by suspected gang members from Waterbury," wrote Krolikowski in a statement, and offered tips to avoid being a victim. "Many towns in Fairfield County are experiencing similar crimes from the same gang."
Read more from WTNH here.
Image via Shutterstock
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