WALLINGFORD, Conn. — Police are investigating after an AR-15 rifle was stolen last week from a Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection vehicle parked outside a home in Wallingford.
“Unfortunately, this is something that's very, very common nowadays,” Sgt. Stephen Jaques said.” It's a highly sought-after item by these criminals for obvious reasons.”
A Wallingford police officer on a routine patrol at about 6:20 a.m. on Wednesday, July 26, noticed a vehicle parking in front of a residence had one of its passenger windows smacked out.
Investigators discovered that the vehicle had an AR-15 rifle in a secured and locked police mount. The entire mount, the rifle, and the ammunition had been stolen from the vehicle.
“The AR 15 that was in the DEEP vehicle was locked and secured away appropriately,” Jaques said. “So even those measures may not necessarily protect you from theft.”
Wallingford police did not reveal on which street the theft happened; however, they said they believe it was part of multiple smash-and-grab thefts that occurred overnight from July 25 to July 26.
They said in all 11 instances, the suspect – or suspects – gained entry into the vehicles parking in private driveways by smashing through the windows. Police said in some cases, items were stolen.
“It seems like the suspects were just going on a burglary spree and they were just trying to see what they can get from certain cars,” said Jaques. “If they smashed through and then found something of value, they tried to take it.”
Police are urging residents to park cars in garages, and remove valuable items from vehicles and store them inside, but many residents feel like it was only a matter of time before something like this happened.
“It's probably a fact of life, more than anything else,” said AJ Namnoum of Wallingford. “It’s really disappointing you know, the fact that this occurs anywhere, not just in our neighborhood, but you know, anywhere in this country. Nobody likes to see their personal space violated.”
DEEP deferred all questions to Wallingford police.
Wallingford police are investigating all thefts. Anyone with information or video footage is asked to contact the police department.
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