Police Chief Jeremiah Marron Jr. on Monday issued a statement to town residents about recent interactions between drivers and children.
The statement made four requests to the public:
First: “The Darien Police Department urges everyone to remain calm and avoid sharing unverified information or rumors about these incidents, as it can lead to unnecessary alarm.”
Second: “We ask the community to rely on official updates from the Police Department for accurate information.”
Third: “We also encourage the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity or information that may assist us in these investigations.”
Fourth: “Any witnesses or individuals with relevant details are urged to contact the Darien Police Department immediately.”
The Darien police non-emergency phone number is (203) 662-5300.
Here’s the full text of the report, as well as the full text of what Marron wrote in the email in which the document was sent:
The Email
Due to misinformation and circling rumors being spread throughout town over recent weeks, the Darien Police Detective Division has released this overview regarding recent incidents in which vehicle operators have had interaction with children either walking to/from school, or playing outside of a residence.
This information is not only up to date, but it should be the only information considered accurate. Should another update need to be issued, we will provided it as necessary.
The Statement
The Darien Police Department is currently conducting a thorough investigation into four separate suspicious vehicle incidents that occurred on Aug. 25, Sept. 10, Sept. 13, and Sept. 15, 2024. All individuals initially identified as persons of interest have been cleared of involvement.
To date, the only footage of a suspect vehicle from any of the incidents that the Darien Police Department has been able to locate originates from the first incident. While these images have been enhanced, no additional leads have emerged.
Although each case is being handled with the highest level of diligence, there is no evidence at this time to suggest a connection between the incidents. The investigations remain active, and ongoing.
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Date: Aug. 25, 2024 Incident Number: 2400010461
On Aug. 25, 2024, at approximately 3:25 p.m. near Heather Lane and Briar Brae a silver/gray or tan SUV approached a juvenile and engaged in a brief conversation, asking if the juvenile was associated with another individual and inquiring about a possible dropped item, believed to be a bicycle light. The vehicle then left the area. The operator was described as an older male with gray hair. Two separate meetings were held with the juvenile and his mother to identify possible DMV photo matches. Following a thorough investigation, all identified persons and vehicles of interest have been ruled out.
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Date: Sept. 10, 2024 Incident Number: 2400011077
The Darien Police Department is actively investigating a suspicious vehicle incident that occurred on Sept. 10, 2024, at approximately 2:53 p.m. near Royle School on Mansfield Avenue. Three juveniles reported being approached by a male driver, estimated to be in his 60s, with blondish-gray slicked-back hair and a stubble beard. The driver made a comment directed at one of the juveniles that caused discomfort. He also claimed to be looking for his grandson and was seen driving in both directions along Mansfield Avenue.
The vehicle involved is described as a silver or grey SUV. A canvass of the area was conducted, but no video footage was obtained, as nearby residences either did not have active camera subscriptions or their systems did not capture the incident.
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Date: Sept. 13, 2024 Incident Number: 2400011207
A third incident occurred on Sept. 13, 2024, between 8:24 and 8:45 a.m. on Middlesex Road, near Holmes School. During this timeframe, two juveniles were approached by the driver of a small Nissan vehicle who offered them a ride to school. Both juveniles declined the offer, and the vehicle departed the area.
Descriptions of the vehicle vary, with one child identifying it as a small green Nissan and the other describing it as a small gray Nissan. The operator of the vehicle is described as an older female with brown hair, wearing a pink shirt, and speaking with a Spanish accent.
A nearby parent did not report observing any suspicious activity. Following the incident, a canvass of the area was conducted. However, no video footage was obtained as nearby residences either did not have active camera subscriptions or their systems did not capture the incident.
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Date: Sept. 15, 2024 Incident Number: 2400011299
On Sept. 15, 2024, at approximately 12:30 p.m., the Darien Police Department responded to a report from 8 Pleasant St. where three youths observed a silver SUV, possibly an older Honda Pilot, delivering food to a nearby residence. After the delivery, the SUV reportedly slowed down and, according to the youths, the driver might have taken a photograph of them with a cellphone before driving off towards Gardiner Street.
A canvass of the area yielded no video footage of the vehicle. The driver was described as a male, possibly Hispanic, with a black beard and hair, wearing a dark T-shirt. No license plate was captured. Nest camera footage from the delivery location shows the DoorDash employee using a cellphone but the context of the use is unknown at this time. The investigation is ongoing, and there is no current evidence linking this incident to other reported cases.
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At this time, we have found no connection between these incidents, and there is no reason to believe there is an immediate threat to the public. The Darien Police Department urges everyone to remain calm and avoid sharing unverified information or rumors about these incidents, as it can lead to unnecessary alarm. We ask the community to rely on official updates from the Police Department for accurate information.
We also encourage the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity or information that may assist us in these investigations. Any witnesses or individuals with relevant details are urged to contact the Darien Police Department immediately.