Men Arrested for Thefts From Unlocked Cars

Police have arrested two men who they believe orchestrated a crime spree by breaking into and stealing items those vehicle in mid-September.

, 19, of unknown address in Fairfield, and Sean Lipka, 18, of 17 Palmer Lane, Oxford, were charged in the break-ins through a joint investigation between the Oxford Resident Trooper’s Office and Seymour Police.

Magi was arrested in Seymour on Sept. 28, and police later said he was a person of interest in break-ins that occurred on Punkup Road and surrounding streets in the early morning hours of Sept. 18. It turns out, police indeed ended up charging him with those break-ins, too.

Police said the duo was responsible for at least 12 car break-ins in which he stole electronic equipment such as global positioning systems and cell phone equipment, plus other items, including loose change.

In Oxford, cars were reported broken into on Sept. 18 on Silano Drive, Punkup Road, Belinsky Circle and Tetlak Lane. All of the cars were unlocked, police said. One homeowner caught one of the suspects on surveillance camera, though the image was difficult to see.

All told, Magi and Lipka were charged with 12 counts of sixth-degree larceny, 12 counts of conspiracy at sixth-degree larceny and seven counts of sixth-degree larceny for the Oxford incidents. Magi was charged in Seymour with one count of third-degree larceny for what Oxford Resident Trooper Sgt. Dan Semosky said was a motor vehicle theft, and an additional count of sixth-degree larceny for a car break-in.

In court, Magi also faces charges from separate incidents for probation violation and carrying weapons in a motor vehicle.

Police did not have an amount of the goods stolen but said it was substantial. Police urge residents not to leave their cars unlocked or any valuables in their cars.

Magi has plead not guilty to all charges and is being held on a $20,000 bond. His next court date is tomorrow (Nov. 16) at Derby Superior Court, according to the state Judicial Branch.

Lipka, who has no prior arrests as an adult, has been released on a promise to appear at Derby Superior Court on Nov. 29, according to the Judicial Branch.