GREENWICH, Connecticut — Greenwich Police arrested Jeffrey Caviola, 41, on April 1, 2025, following a burglary investigation at a vacant property in Greenwich. Caviola allegedly stole copper piping and caused significant damage, leading to charges of third-degree burglary (C.G.S. 53a-103), possession of burglar tools (C.G.S. 53a-106), and first-degree criminal mischief (C.G.S. 53a-115). He was released on a $10,000 bond and awaits a court appearance.
The investigation began when a realtor, during a routine visit, noticed missing copper pipes and spotted a suspicious vehicle, later identified as Caviola’s. Officers interviewed Caviola, confirming his presence at the scene, and found burglary tools in his vehicle, including a Milwaukee Sawzall, grinder, wire cutters, snips, and a drill in a red bag. Copper theft, often driven by high scrap metal prices—copper fetched $4.20 per pound in early 2025 per ScrapMonster—has been a recurring issue in Greenwich. A similar 2023 case reported by greenwichtime.com involved $12,000 in copper stolen from a construction site, highlighting the area’s vulnerability, especially in vacant properties.
Greenwich, a wealthy town of about 63,000 near New York City, has a low crime rate—FBI data shows 1.1 violent crimes per 1,000 residents in 2023—but property crimes like this can disrupt its sense of security. Vacant homes, often second properties for affluent owners, are prime targets, raising questions about whether better security measures, like cameras or regular patrols, could deter such thefts. Some X users have noted that copper theft spikes often correlate with economic downturns, suggesting Caviola’s actions might reflect broader financial pressures. This case underscores the need for heightened vigilance in Greenwich’s quieter neighborhoods, where such crimes can go unnoticed for days.
