Suspects in stolen vehicles broke into cars in Niantic

NIANTIC, CT (WFSB) - Car break-ins on the shoreline have people living in a Niantic neighborhood on edge.

Police say cars were targeted overnight in the area of Smith St. near Camp Nett.

Around 2:30 a.m. Monday, a security guard at Camp Nett noticed cars being gone through near the intersection of York Ave. and Smith St. The guard called police but not before the thieves got what they were after.

Dan Sullivan is a victim.

His Chevrolet Camaro was broken into and ransacked.

“That’s my little pride and joy and having someone hit my Camaro, it’s a little devastating,” Sullivan said. “It’s a defeating feeling to start the day with your car having been gone through.”

The thieves took some cash and prescription medication.

Sullivan’s pick-up truck and his wife’s car were both untouched; but, the unlocked Camaro wasn’t as lucky.

“They’ve got some big cajones,” Sullivan said.

East Lyme Police were able to track down the suspects in the parking lot of a nearby nursing home. No cars were broken into there but the two cars did lead police on a brief chase towards Waterford.

Both of the cars the suspects were in were stolen. The chase was called off.

“They were driving at such a hazardous speed that it was immediately discontinued,” East Lyme Police Chief Michael Finkelstein said.

Chief Finkelstein says these types of incidents are more common around this time of year.

“We see far more in the nicer weather especially here along the shoreline, so I keep saying that warning to people, make sure you lock your car doors and this is a good reminder to people if you see something, make a phone call to us,” Finkelstein said.

In Sullivan’s case, the criminals didn’t get away with much but they did leave behind a big mess and an uneasy feeling.

I mean what are we getting ourselves into here with all these break-ins, how soon will it be your house,” Sullivan said.

If caught, the suspects in this case will be facing larceny and reckless driving charges. Chief Finkelstein says it is unknown if the unidentified suspects are local or from out of town.

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