State police: Group attempts 2 carjackings before stealing car at I-95 Milford rest area

The first attempt began just before 4:30 a.m. at I-95 northbound Darien rest stop.

Tom Krosnowski and Rose Shannon

Mar 27, 2024, 10:42 AM

Updated 256 days ago

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State police say a series of violent attempted carjackings took place early Wednesday morning along I-95.
The first attempt began just before 4:30 a.m. at I-95 northbound Darien rest stop.
Police say two suspects attacked and attempted to drag two people from their car. They were unsuccessful.
An hour later, at 5:30 a.m., police say a masked man pointed a gun at another man fueling his car at the I-95 southbound Milford rest stop.
The man fought the suspect off by spraying him with gasoline.
Ten minutes later, at the northbound Milford rest stop, a group of masked men stole a women's car, a dark-colored Acura, at gunpoint.
Of the three, that was the only successful carjacking.
State police told News 12 Connecticut the suspects arrived at the rest stop in two vehicles, a stolen Kia and a Honda Civic.
The suspects fled the rest area in the Acura and the Honda Civic.
The Kia, stolen out of Hamden, was left behind at the Milford rest area.
No injuries were reported.
Police later recovered that Acura that was stolen from the northbound rest stop after it involved in a crash in Hamden.
The suspects have not been found and fled in a Hyundai SUV.
Drivers are urged to lock their vehicles, take their key fobs with them and be aware of their surroundings.
Police say there is only so much one can do during an armed carjacking.
"If you find yourself in a carjacking, where they're trying to forcibly take your vehicle or personal belongings, just give them that property. Your personal life and the lives of others are much more important than personal property," says State Police Trooper Pedro Muñiz.
Muñiz says there is a way drivers can help police locate their stolen cars.
"If you feel safe to do so, you can put a tracking device in your vehicle, like an Apple AirTag. You sign in on your phone, and you can see exactly where the location of that AirTag is, which would help us find the vehicle and apprehend these individuals," says Muñiz.
State police are asking any witnesses or drivers with dash cameras to contact State Police Detective Caroline Hanson by email at Caroline.Hanson@ct.gov.