By Anne White
Greenwich police are investigating last week’s mid-country carjacking within a wider pattern of property crime that marked the town’s first full week of November. The incident occurred on Zaccheus Mead Lane after a resident stopped his vehicle because he believed he saw something in the roadway. He was likely being followed after having his car washed at Splash Car Wash by the perpetrators.
He was forcibly removed from the car and the suspect entered the running car and drove off. The driver was unharmed. The vehicle was located within 48 hours in another jurisdiction, where officers made two arrests connected to the theft. Greenwich police confirmed they are working with partnering agencies to identify the individual responsible for the carjacking. As Chief Jim Heavey said, “the positive thing is that vehicle was recovered within 48 hours. Two people were arrested. And there’s an ongoing investigation involving multiple jurisdictions.”
The theft stands out because crimes involving direct confrontation remain rare in Greenwich. Police records from November 3–9, released under the Freedom of Information Act, show nearly 400 calls for service across town, most involving traffic enforcement, medical responses, and residential or commercial alarms.
East Putnam Avenue accounted for a substantial share of motor-vehicle stops and investigations, including several DUI arrests in Byram, Cos Cob, and Riverside. Officers charged four motorists with operating under the influence after observing signs of impairment during stops and crash responses.
Detectives also arrested multiple suspects involved in a retail-theft and credit-card fraud scheme uncovered by the Organized Retail Crime and Analysis unit. Investigators found counterfeit or cloned cards and evidence of coordinated activity inside several Cos Cob businesses. The suspects face conspiracy, identity-theft, and related charges.
Property crimes continued through the week, including burglary and larceny reports from the North Street and Sound Beach Avenue areas. Officers also responded to domestic disputes, public disturbances, and a sexual-assault warrant executed by the Special Victims Section. Emergency medical calls accounted for a large share of the week’s workload, involving falls, sudden illness, and injuries.
Although the carjacking was unrelated to these other investigations, police said residents often conflate separate cases. Recent burglaries involving South American theft groups, for example, follow distinct patterns. Those crews typically target homes that appear unoccupied at night, entering upper floors to bypass alarms. Police noted that these offenders do not typically engage in confrontational crimes such as carjackings.
As shorter days and holiday deliveries increase opportunities for theft, police have underscored basic strategies that can reduce the likelihood of becoming a target. Chief Jim Heavey said residents should focus on making their homes and vehicles less accessible. “If you see anything suspicious… you should call us. We’re never upset if we come and check it out,” he said. He advised residents returning home to signs of forced entry or disturbance to “immediately don’t enter or immediately exit and call us so we can check the house,” emphasizing that 911 is appropriate in those circumstances.
For suspicious activity that is not an emergency, Heavey directed residents to the department’s nonemergency line at 203-6228004. “We’ll send a car right away,” he said.
Heavey also outlined several preventive steps for homeowners. Residents should keep exterior lights on timers, use functioning alarms, lock doors even during brief absences, and store ladders or equipment that could provide access to upper floors. “You don’t want anybody to get burglarized, but… make yourself a harder target,” he said. High-end vehicles, he noted, are more likely to attract attention from organized theft crews, making locked doors and active alarms essential.
The chief urged residents to plan carefully for holiday package deliveries, noting that theft from porches increases sharply in November and December. “Be mindful of having… Christmas presents delivered,” he said, recommending delivery to workplaces or trusted neighbors when recipients are not home.
The department expects to release updated burglary-prevention guidance as nighttime hours lengthen. Police officials also plan to distribute statistics from the new school-zone speed-camera program, which remains in a warning phase until Nov. 20.
While last week’s carjacking prompted concern because it differed from Greenwich’s typical property-crime patterns, police said the arrest of two suspects and the rapid recovery of the vehicle demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated investigations. They stressed that vigilance, prompt reporting, and basic precautions remain the strongest tools residents have to protect themselves and assist law enforcement.
