WATERBURY - After a rash of thefts from cars parked at the Waterbury Train Station, police have increased patrols and made an arrest, but the city isn't getting the cooperation it needs from the Metropolitan Transit Authority, U.S. Sen. Christopher S. Murphy, D-Conn., said during a news conference Friday.

The city has asked the MTA, which owns surveillance cameras in the parking lot, to provide a live feed to Waterbury Police Department. So far, the MTA hasn't complied.

“The fact of the matter is, better security can only happen if the MTA makes a real investment in it and decides to cooperate with the city,” Murphy said. “And that is not happening here.”

Metro-North Railroad, which operates the Waterbury branch, is part of the MTA.

An MTA spokesman wouldn't say why the cameras can't be wired to provide a feed to Waterbury police. However, the agency will work with police and the state Department of Transportation, which owns the parking lot, “to enhance patrols and ensure better police coverage to combat car break-ins,” said Aaron Donovan, a spokesman for the MTA.

There have been 33 vehicle break-ins at the train station since the beginning of the year, said Waterbury Police Chief Vernon L. Riddick Jr.

The thieves were smashing car windows to steal valuables, including stereos and GPS devices.

Since police stepped up patrols and made an arrest, the problem has subsided, Riddick said.

Police arrested 35-year-old Carlos Ocasio and charged him with burglary, larceny and criminal mischief in connection with downtown car break-ins. He's also facing charges for possession of marijuana and first-degree trespassing.

Ocasio is being held at New Haven Correctional Center on bonds totaling $30,200. Police suspect he's responsible for some of the train station break-ins.

“Since he was incarcerated, the incidents have decreased significantly,” Riddick said.

Since June 1, there have been no break-ins at the train station, he said. He attributes the drop in crime to increased police presence and media coverage.

But the lull doesn't mean the problem is fixed, Murphy said.

“MTA has stepped up patrols, but they can do more,” he said.