22 cars reported stolen in Ansonia

ANSONIA, Conn. (WTNH) -- Police in Ansonia are busy tracking down stolen cars after over two dozen have been reported missing in the last two weeks.

"The second I get out, I make sure both the locks are down, press the buttons a couple of times, make sure it's locked," said Chris Collins.

He says even before he saw the June 22 report at the neighborhood Xtra Mart on Wakelee that has always been his routine.

One women had her car stolen at the pump. Six cars were stolen this year from that Xtra Mart, all of them had the keys in the car or the car was running.

Collins was a little annoyed to hear that in two weeks, 22 cars were reported stolen on side streets off of Wakelee, Clarkson, Howard, N. Westwood and Jackson.

What makes the thefts different on the side streets is the keys were not left in the cars, but the majority did have the doors unlocked. The majority of the cars stolen were Honda Civics.

"They're easy vehicles to acquire.  You can pick up any manual and figure out how to rig the ignition," said Barry Hanson. "Like I said, there's dealer cars that can start almost all of em, or at least put in on position and at least hot wire."

The woman at the gas station was driving Chrysler Concorde. A family member tells News 8 it was found two days later, abandoned in New Haven.

Hanson was glad we made him aware of the thefts and the patterns so he can change his ways.

"I also don't lock my doors all the time," he said. "Great. Now I'm going to have to, I'm on TV."