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The teen was charged with second-degree larceny and third-degree burglary Friday and may face more charges as officers investigate a rash of thefts from vehicles, including 10 reported in a 24-hour period from Thursday into Friday morning, Stamford police said.
The 10 reported vehicle thefts in the past day join 61 that have occurred since Aug. 1, said Lt. Diedrich Hohn. He said the teen is believed to be connected to four of the incidents since Thursday.
"We are starting to do some things to combat it obviously," Hohn said, explaining that police patrols and surveillance have been stepped up.
As officers increased patrols, thefts from cars were reported on Erickson Drive and nearby Wildwood Road, police said. Officers targeted a suspect, a 16-year-old who was staying at a residence in that area of North Stamford, Hohn said.
Other thefts throughout Stamford are believed to have been committed by other individuals or groups of individuals, Hohn said. He said the many thieves walk down city streets and check to see whether vehicles are unlocked.
"They hit a car, and if it is open they go in there and clean it out. Then they go on to the next one and the next one," Hohn said. "They just take cash, gift cards, sunglasses, anything tangible and they are killing us. Seventy-one is a lot."
He said residents should always lock their vehicles. Residents should also keep an eye out when security lights come on when or a dog is barking and call police if they suspect suspicious activity in their area.
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