Greenwich police have successfully obtained arrest warrants for two burglary crews that have been operating in the Fairfield and Westchester County areas. In total, eight arrest warrants have been issued as a result of several months-long investigations by the Detective Division. The Town of Greenwich and neighboring towns have experienced a significant increase in burglaries committed by separate criminal groups, often referred to as “tourist burglars.”
The Greenwich Police Department collaborated with law enforcement agencies from New York, New Jersey, and the FBI to identify and apprehend these various crews. The suspects typically enter the United States, commit several burglaries in a specific region, and then return to their country of origin. This issue has become widespread in the greater tri-state area and other parts of the country.
The separate crews, with no apparent connection to each other, employ the same tactics during their crimes. Since October 2021, Greenwich has experienced over 70 residential burglaries with the following common characteristics:
- High-end properties targeted during evening hours after sunset
- Residents not at home during the break-ins
- Entry through a second-floor window or door
- Immediate departure if an alarm is triggered, with no property stolen
Residents are advised to lock their doors and windows and activate their alarm systems when not at home. It is also recommended that homes are lit up from the inside when residents are away for the evening or on vacation. Neighbors should be asked to collect mail and deliveries during these times.
Detectives have investigated various burglaries and have identified and prepared arrest warrants for multiple suspects. All three subjects from the first crew are currently in custody in Delaware for committing burglaries in Delaware and along the east coast. The second crew’s members are in custody in New Jersey for committing burglaries in New Jersey and elsewhere along the east coast.
