Following series of break-ins, trooper urges: Call 911

NORTH CANAAN — Resident State Trooper Jim Promotico has issued a message to residents: Lock your vehicles.

That means anywhere the vehicle will be unattended, and especially at home in the driveway. It is the last place people think to do so, but the first place thieves and vandals choose to strike these days.

There have been a number of recent incidents on Prospect and Bragg streets.

One resident’s cell phone and charger was taken from his car on Oct. 29, while it was parked in his Prospect Street driveway. It was found the next day by the neighbor across the street, in her car.

Promotico said the phone may have planted there as a joke, and that it was kids on “mischief night,� just before Halloween.

However, the charger never turned up, according to the resident. It’s possible that it fell out of the thief’s pocket while he or she rummaged through the neighbor’s car.

There were a number of other vehicles tampered with. None were locked. Promotico said one Prospect Street resident was up late watching a movie and heard something during the early morning hours. It would have been hard not to hear the car alarm that went off, as well. But it seemed no one took any action. One neighbor told The Journal she assumed it was accidental. No one called the police, but Promotico said that is exactly what should have happened.

He understands the reluctance. People don’t immediately think of foul play. They don’t want to bother their neighbors. They think they need to be sure a crime is being committed before calling 911.

“Don’t even try to check it out yourself,� Promotico said. “That’s what the police are for. Call them immediately. Especially now, when there have been incidents, it is warranted to call. People also need to remember that it could be a panic alarm.�