ROCKY HILL, Conn. — Rocky Hill residents voiced their concerns about an uptick in car break-ins and thefts Tuesday evening, meeting with local leaders at Elm Park.
The meeting was prompted by a brazen carjacking over the weekend that happened in broad daylight off of a busy road.
Police say a woman was pulled out of her car while in the parking lot outside of Mozzicato Bakery on Cromwell Avenue.
"It's just an awful experience to be in your own town have someone pull you out of your vehicle, demand your property and steal your car," Mayor Lisa Marotta said.
Police believe the incident is tied to several other similar carjackings in the area, including one in West Hartford, where a woman was also pulled out of her car in the middle of the afternoon in a shopping plaza.
"It's just kind of scary you know, broad daylight," Bob Scotti of Rocky Hill said. "You have to have four eyes all around and just wait and see what happens."
People in town say they are tired of feeling scared. Many of them shared their own experiences with car break-ins or thefts, some people, victims more than once.
"It was a crime that you would suspect would happen in the middle of the night, not in the middle of the afternoon," resident Gabe Cabrera said.
He told FOX61 his car was stolen, and just months later people tried to break into his car again.
"We all have kids, we all have grandkids. For me it's a big concern because my grandkids are over my house very often," he added.
According to Marotta, there has been an uptick in pistol permit applications in town. She believes it is something that could be tied to the fear over the crime.
"I think people are so frustrated, and so alarmed that they're going to be armed and maybe take matters into their own hands and that's something we never ever want to see," she said.
She said the following is happening to address the crime:
- town working with the police department
- neighborhood watches have been created
- tip line launched for people to report suspicious activity
- patrols have been increased
They are also trying to educate people to never leave their cars unlocked, and always be alert.
"Be aware of your surroundings. You have to change your mindset now and you have to kind of be on the defensive in terms of looking around," Chief Michael Custer said.
--
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.