Police Blotter: Diner Thefts, Vacation Break-In, Family Dispute & A Chinese Food Bandit

New Canaan police received the following reports last week:

Theft at New Canaan Diner

Police investigating the robbery of a safe at the New Canaan Diner on Forest St. were told about an earlier theft that may be related.

On August 29, the diner manager, a 44-year-old male, reported that he had discovered $7,000 missing from a locked safe at the restaurant.  There were no signs of break-in at the diner or to the safe.  The burglary occurred between 10:55 p.m. on Saturday, August 28 and Sunday morning at 6:00 a.m.

When police arrived to investigate, the manager told them he had discovered between $300-$500 missing from the cash drawer on Friday, August 27 at 6:00 a.m.

The robberies are under investigation.

Lapham Road Burglary

A couple in their 40's discovered their home on Lapham Road had been broken into while they were away.  They reported the break-in to police on August 21 at 12:15 p.m.  Sometime between August 13 at 6:00 p.m. and August 21 at 11 a.m. the house had been forcibly entered through a rear door that had been locked and secured. The home has an alarm which had not been set.

The following items were reported missing: a ladies' cocktail ring, a sapphire band, an X-Box, eight X-Box games and Chanel costume jewelry.  The total value of the missing items is $3,300. 

The burglary is under investigation.

Family Dispute

On August 27 at 10:16 p.m., police were called to a home on Brookside Rd. following a family dispute.  An argument  between Bruce C. Anfindsen, 43, and his 34-year-old wife had become "physical" according to police.    Anfindsen was arrested for disorderly conduct and released at the scene.  He was scheduled to appear in court on August 30.

Chinese Food Bandit

On August 28 at 7:38 p.m., a 44-year-old man whose home address is in Chicago, reported that someone had broken the passenger window of his Prius and stolen a bag of Chinese food that was in the car.  The man had picked up the takeout meal from Ching's Restaurant and left it in his car at the Park Street lot while he ran an errand that he said lasted 5-8 minutes.  A rock, used to break the window, was found on the floor of the car.

Police are checking surveillance cameras in the area.