‘Brazen act.’ Fairfield police investigate daytime armed carjacking at stoplight

Investigators are still looking for the driver of the BMW and the armed suspect, whom they describe as a Black man in his 20s, about 6 feet tall with a slim build, wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants.

Marissa Alter

Oct 28, 2024, 10:46 AM

Updated 45 days ago

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Fairfield police are investigating an armed carjacking that occurred Sunday morning just before 10 a.m. while the victim was at a traffic light. It happened at the intersection of North Benson Road and Walls Drive, right by the I-95 entrance near exit 22.
“It's obvious that people are going to be on edge after an incident like this happens in town. It's not something we deal with on a daily basis,” said Sgt. Michael Stahl.
The victim was in their Porsche Carrera 911 stopped at a red light when a gray BMW 5 Series came from behind, cut the Porsche off and blocked the victim in, according to police. They said a man got out of the passenger side of the BMW, came up to the victim’s door with a gun and demanded the victim unlock the door and get out of the car. Once that person did, the suspect jumped into the Porsche and sped off, getting onto I-95 North with the BMW following behind, police said.
“It was a brazen act in the middle of the day, and one that I don't think this victim could've avoided. Fortunately, there were no injuries,” Stahl told News 12, adding the victim did the right thing by not fighting back. “It's really about self-preservation, right? The vehicle is a material object. It can be replaced. Your life cannot be.”
Police said the BMW involved had another vehicle’s license plate, and the car followed the victim from the nearby Cumberland Farms on the Post Road. Investigators have worked nonstop, and with the help of a regional auto theft task force, located the BMW in Bridgeport, according to Stahl, who added there were several guns found inside.
But investigators are still looking for the driver of the BMW and the armed suspect, whom they describe as a Black man in his 20s, about 6 feet tall with a slim build, wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants, along with a mask and sunglasses.
Several community members told News 12 the incident was concerning to them.
“I consider Fairfield a safe place, a nice place to raise a family, and, you know, to hear of a violent crime like that is definitely upsetting,” said Heather Gilmour, who works in Fairfield.
“I thought it was so scary that something like that could happen in this town because, you know, this is a quiet town. It's a scary world we're living in right now,” said Missy Ketley, whose family lives in town.
Police offered urged the public to stay vigilant and take simple precautions to help protect themselves on the road:
Stay Alert: Be aware of your surroundings, especially when stopped at intersections or in unfamiliar areas.
Leave Space: If possible, leave some distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you at stops to allow for an exit if needed.
Keep Doors Locked: Lock your doors and keep windows up, particularly when stopped in high-traffic or isolated areas.
Limit Distractions: Avoid using phones or other devices that could distract you when stopped in traffic or at lights.
Report Suspicious Activity: If you notice any suspicious behavior or believe you’re being followed, drive to a well-lit, populated area and contact local law enforcement.
Anyone with information that could assist in the carjacking investigation is asked to contact the Fairfield Police Department at 203-254-4800. Anonymous tips can be submitted via the Fairfield PD mobile app, by texting the keyword FPDCT followed by your message to 847411 (Tip411), or online at fpdct.com/tips.