Luxury Vehicle 'Crime Spree' Reaches East Hampton Town
Following a rash of high-end car thefts throughout Southampton Town this summer, five luxury sport utility vehicles were stolen from driveways in East Hampton, during the early morning hours Saturday.
Town police detectives said a 2017 Land Rover, a 2010 Land Rover and a 2019 BMW X5 were all parked in the area surrounding Springy Banks Road. All three SUVs were left unlocked with the key fobs inside, according to police.
Two Range Rovers were also taken from a residence on Dunemere Lane in East Hampton Village during the same time frame, Village Police Chief Mike Tracey said.
On Saturday night, the town police shared a Southampton Town police post from July 14 about the luxury vehicle thefts that warned readers to lock their doors and take the keys. “Please lock your vehicles. This crime spree has reached East Hampton Town as several vehicles were stolen last night,” East Hampton Town police wrote.
Similar thefts have occurred in recent years in East Hampton Town and Village, but this was the first in this latest apparent trend on the East End, Chief Michael Sarlo said.
At least 14 high-end, mostly late-model Land Rovers and Mercedes, have been stolen in Southampton Town since January. They were all parked outside residences from Sagaponack to Tuckahoe. All had the key fobs left inside, allowing thieves to start them and drive away easily.
Some vehicles were reportedly worth more than $200,000.
Also in July, Southold Town police reported a 2018 Audi Q7 stolen from Cutchogue. Chief Martin Flatley said at the time it fit “the current crime pattern of stolen high-end vehicle from the area. ”
Southampton Town police released surveillance footage of one Land Rover being stolen in July. Police suspect a highly organized group of car thieves.
No arrests have been made, and luxury vehicles continue to go missing with two more luxury cars stolen September 1, followed this weekend by the three in East Hampton.
East Hampton Town police are continuing to investigate their cases. They ask anyone with information to contact detectives at 631-537-7575.
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