Tag Archives: car thefts

Last week’s post about another rise in car thefts — and the Police Department’s advice to residents to increase their “situational awareness” — drew dozens of comments.

They ranged from the consequences of police pursuit (or lack of it), to the wisdom of arming oneself, to the relative crime rates of Westport and Idaho.

One late comment struck a very personal note. Many readers may not have seen it (and many others never read the Comments section). 

But it’s worth repeating. Sara Holt — a Westporter since 2015 — wrote:

Yesterday at 3:30 p.m. I pulled into my garage after shopping at Trader Joes and Organic Market.

I got out of my car, and propped my house door open to make carrying groceries inside easier.

As I turned back to my car barely seconds later, I encountered a masked person, in a black hoodie and black jeans, entering my garage.

I am fortunate he did not want a confrontation, and instead turned and ran away.

Sara Holt’s experience was similar to a 2023 incident, in which masked men followed the driver of an Aston Martin into his Bayberry Lane garage. They stole the vehicle, but were apprehended later.

I did not reach for a weapon. (I do not own a firearm, but I have a mean judo kick).

I reached for my phone, and called the police. They came quickly.

They said that often car thieves will follow cars from grocery lots, knowing owners will leave the car (and garage) open to unload.

It’s an opportune time, as often the key fob is still in or near the car (in a purse on the front seat, or in the console). They can steal a car quickly, without confrontation.

So in this instance I am not someone who, as one commenter suggested, can’t reliably lock my car doors.

But I am also not, as a commenter from Florida suggested, a person who believes a concealed weapon would be the solution in this type of situation.

Not the answer, Sara Holt says.

I have also not obsessively locked my car in my garage, while bringing bags of groceries in and out, but perhaps I will now,

No, I won’t! That would be ultimate madness. It’s stressful enough living here with these crazy Westport drivers. I digress…

Be ultra-aware of your surroundings during these times. I am grateful for the Westport Police for having incredible intel on the perps within minutes, and for this encounter to have resolved as it did.

I urge people to understand the dire circumstances that cause young adults to hustle like this to make ends meet. They are often forced into these crimes as they haven’t had access to opportunities, or positive mentors, caregivers or models to show them there is another way to thrive.

Shepherds Mentors in Bridgeport is an incredible organization offering mentorships to disconnected young adults who are motivated to succeed.

I worked for Year Up for 20 years (now Year Up United), helping disconnected urban young adults go from poverty to professional careers — from hustling to tax-paying in a year-lonf program.

Reach out and be part of that solution. Don’t perpetuate a bigger problem by aiming assumptions or weapons at our country’s most vulnerable young adults.

Yes, I want to feel safe here in Westport. But I also realize that in these times, things are really really rough out there — outside of our bubble (and also within).

As for Idaho and Texas: I live on a dark street, with lots of dogs who bark around the clock. We have a security alarm tag on our mailbox at the end of our driveway. And cameras on all sides of the house. And a Ring camera.

And yet I also live 1 hour from New York City, next to 2 highways. So with or without arms, we are prime targets.

I envy your remote locals (and if only I could have grown up in 1970s Westport — epic. It’s jammed now!)

I’d rather lose a car than lose my humanity, by inanely taking the life of another human. Perspective is everything — and we’ve seem to have lost it.

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In the wake of an “alarming trend” in stolen vehicles — and attempted thefts — the Westport Police Department strongly urges “situational awareness” by residents and visitors. 

Police say:

As has been the case for the last several years, Westport continues to be a persistent target for car thieves.

A trend that began as incidents relegated mostly to perpetrators systematically walking neighborhoods in the overnight hours, where individuals were looking to avoid confrontation and detection by their victims, has evolved into offenders seeking to acquire vehicles through more aggressive and brazen means.

Tactics and timing now include activity at all hours of day and night, and locations both public and private.

These tactics seem to also frequently include the targeting and direct following of specific vehicles and victims.

In multiple recent investigations, victims report encountering suspects in their driveways and inside residential garages at various times of day, immediately or shortly after returning home. In many cases, it is apparent that victims and their vehicles were specifically targeted.

In these instances, victims were very likely followed to their homes after tasks like grocery shopping, or followed to public places like service stations where it is anticipated that the car would be left unoccupied and unattended long for an opportunity to commit the theft.

In a recent incident, a would-be perpetrator entered what he believed was an unoccupied vehicle left in a public parking lot, only to encounter a teenager in the back seat. Fortunately, in this instance, the alarm created by this situation caused the perpetrator to flee.

Vehicle theft continues to be extremely prevalent in Westport and surrounding communities. The common thread is an unlocked or running vehicle with the keys inside, or left within reaching distance of the car.

The Westport Police Department treats these incidents seriously, and has multiple active investigations into suspected perpetrators. Although we continue to use all available means to hold the parties accountable, suspects have also employed various countermeasures to prevent identification and apprehension.

The culprit.

We strongly urge residents and visitors to be mindful of this escalating crime trend. Simple tactics like locking parked vehicles, removing keys and fobs from the passenger compartment when a vehicle is to be left unattended, and locking garages all continue to be strong deterrents.

Situational awareness is now becoming equally critical as well.

It is not difficult to envision the ways that direct encounters with suspects could lead to negative outcomes, so we urge all to be mindful of their surroundings, and maintain a heightened state of vigilance.

If you observe suspicious activity or feel that you are being followed, call 911 and/or drive to the nearest police station immediately.

When returning home, if possible park your vehicle in an enclosed garage and secure the door behind you. If not an option, please do not leave your vehicle doors open, unlocked and accessible for even brief periods of time.

In recent cases, a matter of seconds is all that has been needed to execute these thefts.

Westport Police responded to 2 stolen vehicle reports yesterday. One was from the very busy CVS parking lot.

In both cases, cars were unlocked — and keys were inside.

There were also reports of another attempted vehicle theft, and of suspicious people running from an open garage, the fleeing in a stolen vehicle.

There’s more, too: a hit and run accident on Easton Road and North Avenue, where one of the stolen cars crashed into another vehicle, and took off. There were no injuries, but many witnesses saw the driver flying down North Avenue, forcing cars in both lanes onto the shoulder.

Westport Police say: “Those responsible for stealing these cars have no regard for your property or your safety.

“Please lock your homes and vehicles, utilize alarm and surveillance systems, and report any suspicious behavior to the Westport Police Department.”

Please steal my car!