Police warn of unlocked vehicle entries; department posts identity‑theft guidance and plans spring shred event

The Simsbury Police Department alerted residents to multiple vehicle entries between Monday, Feb. 2 and Friday, Feb. 6, saying the vehicles that were entered were unlocked and that attempts to enter locked vehicles were unsuccessful.

Chief (Unidentified Speaker 3) urged residents to lock cars regardless of conditions and to report suspected identity‑theft to the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (fraud/prevention unit at (855) 842-1441) and to use identitytheft.gov for federal guidance. The chief described steps victims of tax-related identity theft should expect, including completing a Connecticut paper tax return and federal affidavit forms, and noted the department will post this information to its Facebook page.

The department also said it will plan a community shred event this spring (small paper box or paper‑bag size suggested) to help residents protect personal documents.

No arrests or suspects were reported at the meeting. The department encouraged reporting of suspicious activity and said patrol checks and documentation help investigators but that prevention (locking vehicles) remains the best immediate safeguard.