July highlights
MARINE DISTRICT
BOATING ACCIDENTS
On July 1st Officer Chemacki responded to a boating accident in Long Island Sound near Guilford. A thirty six foot sailing vessel and a twenty one foot center console collided while underway. The operator of the sailboat was cited for Failure to Keep a Proper Lookout and the operator of the center console was cited for Failure to Keep a Signaling Device Aboard and a warning for boating certificate and registration violations. There were no reported injuries.
Another boating accident in Long Island Sound off of Guilford on the 9th of July resulted in the sinking of a twenty five foot sailing vessel after it reported taking on water. Officer Reilly responded, reporting the two parties aboard were rescued by the Guilford Fire Department, without injuries. Sea Tow conducted the salvage operation.
Officer Reilly was assisted by Officer Ulkus in another boating accident in Long Island Sound near Milford on the 1st of July involving a Massachusetts registered thirty nine foot commercial fishing vessel that struck a sixteen foot pleasure craft that was at anchor. The fishing vessel evaded the accident after causing significant damage to the bow of the sixteen foot vessel. There were no reported injuries and the United States Coast Guard is assisting due to the commercial status of the fishing vessel. The incident is still under investigation.
FISHING
There were numerous fishing violations that Environmental Conservation Police responded to in July. Officer Persico cited an individual for short Scup at Fort Trumbull in New London, Officer Samorajczyk cited four individuals at Hammonasett Beach State Park for short Scup, Office Logiodice cited four individuals at Fort Hale in New Haven for short Scup, Officer Ulkus cited an individual for short Striped Bass in Bridgeport and three individuals in Milford for short Scup, Officer Stanko cited two individuals in Old Saybrook for short Fluke and Officer Hey cited an individual in Milford for short Scup and another for exceeding the creel limit for Bluefish in Bridgeport.
On the 24th of July Officer Tavares and Sergeant Kane arrested an individual on an active warrant after finding him fishing without a license in East Lyme. The warrant originated in New Britain for Creating a Public Disturbance and the individual posted a cash bond and was released.
On July 22nd an individual was admitted to Milford Hospital stating he was attacked by a coyote at Silver Sands State Park in Milford. Hospital personnel advised the injuries were consistent with a canine attack. The individual was also reported as heavily intoxicated. He was treated and released. Officer Logiodice is investigating and was unable to locate the offending animal in the area.
PARKS
On July 12th Officer Christiana detected an erratic driver at the entrance to Rocky Neck State Park who was subsequently arrested for Driving under the Influence of alcohol . The individual was transported to Connecticut State Police Barracks in Montville where he was tested and processed with the aid of Officer Golet. The individual was found to be almost twice the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration.
Officers Persico and Lambert responded to a routine complaint from Park Rangers at Rocky Neck State Park on the 16th of July regarding a vehicle that was in an unauthorized area. The male passenger became agitated when asked to move from the area where he was loading items from the beach to the vehicle and struck Officer Persico with the vehicle door. As the officers were attempting to arrest the suspect he became more violent and attempted again to assault the officers. He was wrestled to the ground and handcuffed and transported to Connecticut State Police Barracks in Montville. He was charged with Breach of Peace, Interfering with an Office and Criminal Mischief and released after posting a $2500.00 bond .
Eastern District
On July 9, 2011 a subject returned to his vehicle located at Diana’s pool, Chaplin. Upon returning, the victim found his vehicle had been burglarized and his wallet had been stolen. The male victims’ credit cards were subsequently used at three separate locations. Officer Stone conducted a thorough investigation. During this investigation Officer Stone found video surveillance of the suspect. The suspect was positively identified and Officer Stone prepared an arrest warrant charging the suspect with larceny 6th, illegal use of a credit card, and criminal attempt to commit larceny. The warrant is pending at Danielson Superior Court.
Western District
Domestic Violence/Boating Under the Influence
On July 4th, EnCon Police Officer Sean Buckley was on patrol on Candlewood Lake when he received a report of a male subject on a boat choking a female who then jumped off boat. Witnesses reported that the male subject threatened to run over the female with the boat. The female got back into boat and was then seen driving the boat. Officer Buckley located the boat and determined that the male and female were married. As a result, the incident was a crime of domestic violence. Officer Buckley also determined that the male had been operating the boat and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Officer Buckley conducted field sobriety tests which the subject failed. Officer Buckley arrested the male for Boating Under the Influence, Breach of Peace 2nd degree, Threatening and Assault 3rd degree.
Boating Accident on Lake Zoar
On July 5th at approximately 11:30pm EnCon Police were notified of a reported boating accident with serious injuries on Lake Zoar in Southbury adjacent to Kettletown State Park. Sgt. Ray Ramos, Officers Keith Williams, Erin Crossman and Nick Miofsky responded. The boat struck a submerged area of land adjacent to the eastern shoreline and went airborne. At the time of the accident there were ten people on the boat. Four persons were ejected from the boat upon impact and suffered injuries. Two other people in the boat were also injured. All six were transported to Danbury Hospital. The accident is currently being investigated by the EnCon Police Boating Accident Reconstruction Unit.
Domestic Violence in State Park
On July 17th, EnCon Police Officer Nick Miofsky and Special Conservation Officer Ernie Nandori responded to a report of a fight between a male and female on the beach at Black Rock State Park in Watertown. Officer Miofsky determined that the female had been assaulted by her estranged boyfriend and suffered physical injuries. The subject had fled the park on foot after assaulting the female. SCO Nandori searched the areas of Watertown outside of the park and located the subject attempting to flee on foot. SCO Nandori apprehended the subject and returned him to the park. The subject was arrested for Assault and Violation of a Criminal Protective Order. The subject was held on $5000 bond and transported to the Whalley Ave Jail in New Haven to be held for arraignment the next morning.
DUI in State Park
On July 22nd, lifeguards at Indian Well State Park in Shelton reported that an individual paddled into the swim area on a rubber raft and became verbally confrontational with the lifeguards then wandered into the parking lot of the park. EnCon Police Sgt Chris Dwyer and Officer Mike Curran located the individual operating a vehicle in the park. Upon stopping the vehicle and conducting field sobriety tests the officers determined that the subject was operating under the influence. The subject was arrested for DUI and his vehicle was towed from the park.
Fisherman drowns at Squantz Pond
On July 24th, EnCon Police Officer Keith Williams was on patrol at Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield when lifeguards reported people calling for help in the west cove area of the park. A 21 year old fisherman had fallen face first into approximately 1 foot of water and had apparently drowned. Park lifeguards pulled the victim from the water and started CPR. The victim was transported to Danbury Hospital by the New Fairfield Ambulance where he was pronounced dead. Officer Williams determined that the victim had a history of seizures and it appeared that he may have had one while fishing either causing him to fall forward or when he fell triggering a possible seizure. Autopsy results indicated that the victim had drowned.
Fatal Boating Accident
On July 30th, EnCon Police Sgt Eric Lundin and Officers Sean Buckley, Jeff Bruno and Keith Williams responded to a report of a boating accident on Lake Lillinonah in Newtown that involved a water- skier. An eighteen year old female that was in the water preparing to wakeboard was killed. The female victim became entangled in the tow line attached to the boat. The accident is currently being investigated by the EnCon Police Boating Accident Reconstruction Unit.
Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police
Captain Raul Camejo raul.camejo@ct.gov
MARINE DISTRICT
BOATING ACCIDENTS
On July 1st Officer Chemacki responded to a boating accident in Long Island Sound near Guilford. A thirty six foot sailing vessel and a twenty one foot center console collided while underway. The operator of the sailboat was cited for Failure to Keep a Proper Lookout and the operator of the center console was cited for Failure to Keep a Signaling Device Aboard and a warning for boating certificate and registration violations. There were no reported injuries.
Another boating accident in Long Island Sound off of Guilford on the 9th of July resulted in the sinking of a twenty five foot sailing vessel after it reported taking on water. Officer Reilly responded, reporting the two parties aboard were rescued by the Guilford Fire Department, without injuries. Sea Tow conducted the salvage operation.
Officer Reilly was assisted by Officer Ulkus in another boating accident in Long Island Sound near Milford on the 1st of July involving a Massachusetts registered thirty nine foot commercial fishing vessel that struck a sixteen foot pleasure craft that was at anchor. The fishing vessel evaded the accident after causing significant damage to the bow of the sixteen foot vessel. There were no reported injuries and the United States Coast Guard is assisting due to the commercial status of the fishing vessel. The incident is still under investigation.
FISHING
There were numerous fishing violations that Environmental Conservation Police responded to in July. Officer Persico cited an individual for short Scup at Fort Trumbull in New London, Officer Samorajczyk cited four individuals at Hammonasett Beach State Park for short Scup, Office Logiodice cited four individuals at Fort Hale in New Haven for short Scup, Officer Ulkus cited an individual for short Striped Bass in Bridgeport and three individuals in Milford for short Scup, Officer Stanko cited two individuals in Old Saybrook for short Fluke and Officer Hey cited an individual in Milford for short Scup and another for exceeding the creel limit for Bluefish in Bridgeport.
On the 24th of July Officer Tavares and Sergeant Kane arrested an individual on an active warrant after finding him fishing without a license in East Lyme. The warrant originated in New Britain for Creating a Public Disturbance and the individual posted a cash bond and was released.
On July 22nd an individual was admitted to Milford Hospital stating he was attacked by a coyote at Silver Sands State Park in Milford. Hospital personnel advised the injuries were consistent with a canine attack. The individual was also reported as heavily intoxicated. He was treated and released. Officer Logiodice is investigating and was unable to locate the offending animal in the area.
PARKS
On July 12th Officer Christiana detected an erratic driver at the entrance to Rocky Neck State Park who was subsequently arrested for Driving under the Influence of alcohol . The individual was transported to Connecticut State Police Barracks in Montville where he was tested and processed with the aid of Officer Golet. The individual was found to be almost twice the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration.
Officers Persico and Lambert responded to a routine complaint from Park Rangers at Rocky Neck State Park on the 16th of July regarding a vehicle that was in an unauthorized area. The male passenger became agitated when asked to move from the area where he was loading items from the beach to the vehicle and struck Officer Persico with the vehicle door. As the officers were attempting to arrest the suspect he became more violent and attempted again to assault the officers. He was wrestled to the ground and handcuffed and transported to Connecticut State Police Barracks in Montville. He was charged with Breach of Peace, Interfering with an Office and Criminal Mischief and released after posting a $2500.00 bond .
Eastern District
On July 9, 2011 a subject returned to his vehicle located at Diana’s pool, Chaplin. Upon returning, the victim found his vehicle had been burglarized and his wallet had been stolen. The male victims’ credit cards were subsequently used at three separate locations. Officer Stone conducted a thorough investigation. During this investigation Officer Stone found video surveillance of the suspect. The suspect was positively identified and Officer Stone prepared an arrest warrant charging the suspect with larceny 6th, illegal use of a credit card, and criminal attempt to commit larceny. The warrant is pending at Danielson Superior Court.
Western District
Domestic Violence/Boating Under the Influence
On July 4th, EnCon Police Officer Sean Buckley was on patrol on Candlewood Lake when he received a report of a male subject on a boat choking a female who then jumped off boat. Witnesses reported that the male subject threatened to run over the female with the boat. The female got back into boat and was then seen driving the boat. Officer Buckley located the boat and determined that the male and female were married. As a result, the incident was a crime of domestic violence. Officer Buckley also determined that the male had been operating the boat and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Officer Buckley conducted field sobriety tests which the subject failed. Officer Buckley arrested the male for Boating Under the Influence, Breach of Peace 2nd degree, Threatening and Assault 3rd degree.
Boating Accident on Lake Zoar
On July 5th at approximately 11:30pm EnCon Police were notified of a reported boating accident with serious injuries on Lake Zoar in Southbury adjacent to Kettletown State Park. Sgt. Ray Ramos, Officers Keith Williams, Erin Crossman and Nick Miofsky responded. The boat struck a submerged area of land adjacent to the eastern shoreline and went airborne. At the time of the accident there were ten people on the boat. Four persons were ejected from the boat upon impact and suffered injuries. Two other people in the boat were also injured. All six were transported to Danbury Hospital. The accident is currently being investigated by the EnCon Police Boating Accident Reconstruction Unit.
Domestic Violence in State Park
On July 17th, EnCon Police Officer Nick Miofsky and Special Conservation Officer Ernie Nandori responded to a report of a fight between a male and female on the beach at Black Rock State Park in Watertown. Officer Miofsky determined that the female had been assaulted by her estranged boyfriend and suffered physical injuries. The subject had fled the park on foot after assaulting the female. SCO Nandori searched the areas of Watertown outside of the park and located the subject attempting to flee on foot. SCO Nandori apprehended the subject and returned him to the park. The subject was arrested for Assault and Violation of a Criminal Protective Order. The subject was held on $5000 bond and transported to the Whalley Ave Jail in New Haven to be held for arraignment the next morning.
DUI in State Park
On July 22nd, lifeguards at Indian Well State Park in Shelton reported that an individual paddled into the swim area on a rubber raft and became verbally confrontational with the lifeguards then wandered into the parking lot of the park. EnCon Police Sgt Chris Dwyer and Officer Mike Curran located the individual operating a vehicle in the park. Upon stopping the vehicle and conducting field sobriety tests the officers determined that the subject was operating under the influence. The subject was arrested for DUI and his vehicle was towed from the park.
Fisherman drowns at Squantz Pond
On July 24th, EnCon Police Officer Keith Williams was on patrol at Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield when lifeguards reported people calling for help in the west cove area of the park. A 21 year old fisherman had fallen face first into approximately 1 foot of water and had apparently drowned. Park lifeguards pulled the victim from the water and started CPR. The victim was transported to Danbury Hospital by the New Fairfield Ambulance where he was pronounced dead. Officer Williams determined that the victim had a history of seizures and it appeared that he may have had one while fishing either causing him to fall forward or when he fell triggering a possible seizure. Autopsy results indicated that the victim had drowned.
Fatal Boating Accident
On July 30th, EnCon Police Sgt Eric Lundin and Officers Sean Buckley, Jeff Bruno and Keith Williams responded to a report of a boating accident on Lake Lillinonah in Newtown that involved a water- skier. An eighteen year old female that was in the water preparing to wakeboard was killed. The female victim became entangled in the tow line attached to the boat. The accident is currently being investigated by the EnCon Police Boating Accident Reconstruction Unit.
Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police
Captain Raul Camejo raul.camejo@ct.gov