6 cars stolen from gas station lot

ANSONIA, Conn. (WTNH) -- Several people have learned the hard way to keep the doors to their cars locked and the keys to themselves.

The Xtra Mart on Wakelle Avenue is known for having consistent lower prices at the pump.

"I live two blocks away and I come to this store everyday," one woman said.

Now this woman wants others to know about another consistent pattern.

"Not even 15 seconds later my car was gone," she said.

Ansonia Police say six cars have been stolen from the parking lot of the Xtra Mart this year; two this month, one in May, and three in January.

The woman says she moved her car from one pump to another and then left the car running when she poked her head inside the door to tell the clerk. When she turned around, her car was speeding away. Police say the man came from behind a nearby fence.

Police say in all six thefts, the car owners all made the same mistake by either leaving the keys in the car or leaving the car running.

"We all have to be aware of this," said Ansonia Police Chief Kevin Hale. "These are the times we live in and it's not just here, it's everywhere. So, people just really need to pay attention, they really do."

"People will just take your stuff and go about their business with no remorse.  It's so heartless," the woman said. "How am I going to get to work to support my family? You took my car."

The woman had left her purse and cell phone in the 2008 navy blue Chrysler Concorde.

"Everything was in my car, in my wallet," she said.

"We hope to put an end to this," Hale said. "But again, we need cooperation from the public."

Amy Dickinson says police can count on her to pay attention.

"There's always lines of cars here," Dickinson said. "That's just crazy."

Police arrested a man in connection with the January thefts. Anyone with information is asked to call Ansonia police.