After coming across a rash of thefts in his new district, Lt. Martin Tchakirides is putting out a message to New Haven car owners: Don’t leave those laptops or purses in view.
Tchakirides this month took over as top cop for the Westville/ West Hills police district, moving from the central business district. He immediately came upon a rash of car break-ins at a complex at 58 Fountain St.
“It’s the same thing here as downtown,” Tchakirides said Friday.
Tchakirides noticed that the apartment complex’s rear lot was dark. He spoke to the management company, which replaced a missing light and fixed a second one. That should help prevent further break-ins.
But car owners need to help, he said.
“People are breaking into cars, stealing laptops,” he said. “We’re not saying the city isn’t safe. Some people are a lot of worse off than us. They’ll break into cars to steal change or a GPS. People leave laptops in cars.”
“Take any expensive items — any electronic items, GPS, satellite radios, briefcase, laptops, pocketbooks — and don’t leave any items like that in the vehicle. Help us help you.”