July 2010 Marine District Highlights
Boating
On July 2nd, Sgt. Lundin and Officer Samoraczyk responded to a boating accident in Westport where a 50 year old victim fell overboard from a 58 foot yacht and was killed by the injuries sustained from the propeller. Westport Police are investigating with the help of the D.E.P. Boating Accident Reconstruction Unit.
On July 5th, Sgt. Healy and Officer Mieldzioc responded to the scene of a fatality in Little Narragansett Bay in Stonington. A 51 year old male was observed summoning help from the water after being separated from his jet ski when two boaters from another vessel assisted him into their vessel. He immediately collapsed and was unconscious after experiencing difficulty breathing and was pronounced dead after being transported to the Barn Island Boat Launch in Stonington. Several other citizens assisted with administering CPR. It was later learned the victim had been experiencing recent serious medical problems that contributed to his death.
Sergeant Kane, Officer Chickos and Officer Logiodice were dispatched to a complaint of a boating accident in Branford on the 18th of July. The collision of a vessel into rocks ejected the six occupants into the water. They were later rescued by the Branford Fire and Police Departments. One passenger was hospitalized with injuries and the operator was arrested for Reckless Operation in the 2nd degree while under the influence. His blood alcohol was measured at nearly two times the legal limit. The operator was released after posting a $500 non surety bond.
Park and Forest
On July 11th, an illegal parking ticket issued to a park patron at Hammonasett Beach State Park revealed that he was wanted on three outstanding warrants for issues related to Failure to Appear in two different courts. His car was uninsured, unregistered, and misusing registration plates, the same charges he failed to appear for in which the warrants were active. The individual’s car was towed from the scene. He was transported to Troop F in Westbrook and processed by Officer Reilly and released after posting cash bonds for the three separate cases.
On the 6th of the July Officer Chickos was summoned to an incident at Hammonasett Beach State Park in Madison. After investigating the incident a 37 year old school teacher was arrested for Sexual Assault in the 4th degree for the unwanted touching of an 18 year old victim. The complainant and a witness verified the incident separately. The suspect was processed at Troop F in Westbrook and released on a $1,500 non surety bond.
Fishing
On July 22nd a joint cooperative effort between Officers from Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police, Rhode Island Environmental Conservation Police, Massachusetts Environmental Police, and federal agents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries resulted in the arrest of a 45 year old individual from Stonington, Connecticut for the illegal commercial sale of Striped Bass from Connecticut and Rhode Island waters in Westport, Massachusetts. The suspect admitted to several years of illegal activity and the investigation continues. The arrest was due to the cooperation and diligence of the Officers and Agents with assistance from state of the art technology.
July 2010 Western District Highlights
Park and Forest
On July 2nd, EnCon Police Sgt Keith Schneider and Officer Britni Scatena responded to Huntington State Park in Redding for a report of a man trapped under a large rock. It was determined the victim had been rock climbing in the park and loosened a large boulder which rolled and trapped him. The victim was extricated by the Redding Fire Department and transported to Danbury Hospital for treatment.
On July 5th EnCon Police Sgt Keith Schneider and Officer Tate Begley responded to a report of a forest fire at Macedonia Brook State Park in Kent. Officer Begley determined that the fire was started by two individuals who were using illegal fireworks. The fire burned an area of approximately one acre and was brought under control by the Gaylordsville, Kent, Warren and New Milford Fire Departments. The two subjects who started the fire were arrested by Officer Begley.
On July 23rd EnCon Police Officer Britni Scatena was dispatched to a complaint of a subject pointing a handgun at a jogger in Bennetts Farm State Park in Ridgefield. Officer Scatena determined the jogger had been running in the park with two of his dogs off leash. The jogger was confronted by an individual regarding the dogs being off leash. After a verbal exchange the subject allegedly pulled out a pistol and pointed it at the jogger. The subject with the pistol admitted to pulling out his pistol to protect himself from the dogs but denied pointing it at anyone. As a result of her investigation, Officer Scatena issued a summons to the jogger for having his dogs off leash in a state park. The subject who displayed the handgun was arrested for Reckless Endangerment 1st degree.
Boating
On July 5th EnCon Police Officer Jeff Bruno was conducting a boating enforcement patrol on Squantz Pond in New Fairfield when he observed a PWC operating without a valid registration decal. Officer Bruno stopped the PWC and determined that it was being operated by a subject without a PWC operators certificate. The PWC was escorted back to shore to the residence where it originally launched from. Officer Bruno determined that the PWC was on loan to the owner of the residence by an area boat repair business as his own PWC was being worked on. Officer Bruno checked the registration information for the PWC and determined that it had been reported stolen in Brookfield in 2009. Contact was made with the Brookfield Police Department and the report was verified. The subject operating the PWC was arrested by Officer Bruno on boating charges. The PWC was turned over to the Brookfield Police Department for follow up investigation into the original theft.
Enforcement Activity
During the month of July, Western District EnCon Police officers investigated 95 boating incidents, issued 41 summonses and 28 written warnings for boating violations. Officers investigated 26 recreational fishing incidents and issued 12 summonses and 7 written warnings.
July 2010 Eastern District Highlights
Boating
On 7/12/10 at 10:15 PM, EnCon Police Officer Jason Williams responded to the Connecticut River in Glastonbury where a 26’ vessel struck a pile of rocks and caused significant damage to the hull and created a fuel spill. No injuries were reported and the DEP Haz-Mat team was notified. The investigation is currently ongoing.
On 7/27/10 at 11:00 PM, EnCon Police Officer Ruggiero responded to the Connecticut River in Deep River where a 14’ Bombardier jet drive vessel hit the stern of a 35’ vessel causing it to launch completely out of the water and just cleared the heads of the occupants on the 35’ vessel. No injuries were reported and the investigation is ongoing.
On 7/31/10, Special Conservation Officer Marvin responded to Coventry Lake to a report of a female operating a PWC that fell on her face and caused damage to her teeth. Town of Coventry Marine Officer Meikle witnessed the accident and rescued the victim who was transported to Windham Hospital. The investigation is ongoing.
On 7/31/10, EnCon Police Officer Golet responded to the Connecticut River in Deep River where a vessel struck a sandbar with six occupants onboard. The force sent all the occupants to the bow area where two people suffered injuries. They were transported to the Essex hospital with minor injuries. The investigation is ongoing.
Boating Violations
During the month of July, Eastern District EnCon Police officers issued 112 infractions and written warnings for various boating violations in the month of July.
Burglary/Larcenies
The Eastern District EnCon Police officers are currently investigating fourteen burglary/larcenies into vehicles in the month of July that were parked along trail heads, boat launches and state parks and forests. The most common items stolen are purses and wallets where credit cards are targeted and used shortly after the crime.
__________________
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police
Captain Raul Camejo raul.camejo@ct.gov
Boating
On July 2nd, Sgt. Lundin and Officer Samoraczyk responded to a boating accident in Westport where a 50 year old victim fell overboard from a 58 foot yacht and was killed by the injuries sustained from the propeller. Westport Police are investigating with the help of the D.E.P. Boating Accident Reconstruction Unit.
On July 5th, Sgt. Healy and Officer Mieldzioc responded to the scene of a fatality in Little Narragansett Bay in Stonington. A 51 year old male was observed summoning help from the water after being separated from his jet ski when two boaters from another vessel assisted him into their vessel. He immediately collapsed and was unconscious after experiencing difficulty breathing and was pronounced dead after being transported to the Barn Island Boat Launch in Stonington. Several other citizens assisted with administering CPR. It was later learned the victim had been experiencing recent serious medical problems that contributed to his death.
Sergeant Kane, Officer Chickos and Officer Logiodice were dispatched to a complaint of a boating accident in Branford on the 18th of July. The collision of a vessel into rocks ejected the six occupants into the water. They were later rescued by the Branford Fire and Police Departments. One passenger was hospitalized with injuries and the operator was arrested for Reckless Operation in the 2nd degree while under the influence. His blood alcohol was measured at nearly two times the legal limit. The operator was released after posting a $500 non surety bond.
Park and Forest
On July 11th, an illegal parking ticket issued to a park patron at Hammonasett Beach State Park revealed that he was wanted on three outstanding warrants for issues related to Failure to Appear in two different courts. His car was uninsured, unregistered, and misusing registration plates, the same charges he failed to appear for in which the warrants were active. The individual’s car was towed from the scene. He was transported to Troop F in Westbrook and processed by Officer Reilly and released after posting cash bonds for the three separate cases.
On the 6th of the July Officer Chickos was summoned to an incident at Hammonasett Beach State Park in Madison. After investigating the incident a 37 year old school teacher was arrested for Sexual Assault in the 4th degree for the unwanted touching of an 18 year old victim. The complainant and a witness verified the incident separately. The suspect was processed at Troop F in Westbrook and released on a $1,500 non surety bond.
Fishing
On July 22nd a joint cooperative effort between Officers from Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police, Rhode Island Environmental Conservation Police, Massachusetts Environmental Police, and federal agents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries resulted in the arrest of a 45 year old individual from Stonington, Connecticut for the illegal commercial sale of Striped Bass from Connecticut and Rhode Island waters in Westport, Massachusetts. The suspect admitted to several years of illegal activity and the investigation continues. The arrest was due to the cooperation and diligence of the Officers and Agents with assistance from state of the art technology.
July 2010 Western District Highlights
Park and Forest
On July 2nd, EnCon Police Sgt Keith Schneider and Officer Britni Scatena responded to Huntington State Park in Redding for a report of a man trapped under a large rock. It was determined the victim had been rock climbing in the park and loosened a large boulder which rolled and trapped him. The victim was extricated by the Redding Fire Department and transported to Danbury Hospital for treatment.
On July 5th EnCon Police Sgt Keith Schneider and Officer Tate Begley responded to a report of a forest fire at Macedonia Brook State Park in Kent. Officer Begley determined that the fire was started by two individuals who were using illegal fireworks. The fire burned an area of approximately one acre and was brought under control by the Gaylordsville, Kent, Warren and New Milford Fire Departments. The two subjects who started the fire were arrested by Officer Begley.
On July 23rd EnCon Police Officer Britni Scatena was dispatched to a complaint of a subject pointing a handgun at a jogger in Bennetts Farm State Park in Ridgefield. Officer Scatena determined the jogger had been running in the park with two of his dogs off leash. The jogger was confronted by an individual regarding the dogs being off leash. After a verbal exchange the subject allegedly pulled out a pistol and pointed it at the jogger. The subject with the pistol admitted to pulling out his pistol to protect himself from the dogs but denied pointing it at anyone. As a result of her investigation, Officer Scatena issued a summons to the jogger for having his dogs off leash in a state park. The subject who displayed the handgun was arrested for Reckless Endangerment 1st degree.
Boating
On July 5th EnCon Police Officer Jeff Bruno was conducting a boating enforcement patrol on Squantz Pond in New Fairfield when he observed a PWC operating without a valid registration decal. Officer Bruno stopped the PWC and determined that it was being operated by a subject without a PWC operators certificate. The PWC was escorted back to shore to the residence where it originally launched from. Officer Bruno determined that the PWC was on loan to the owner of the residence by an area boat repair business as his own PWC was being worked on. Officer Bruno checked the registration information for the PWC and determined that it had been reported stolen in Brookfield in 2009. Contact was made with the Brookfield Police Department and the report was verified. The subject operating the PWC was arrested by Officer Bruno on boating charges. The PWC was turned over to the Brookfield Police Department for follow up investigation into the original theft.
Enforcement Activity
During the month of July, Western District EnCon Police officers investigated 95 boating incidents, issued 41 summonses and 28 written warnings for boating violations. Officers investigated 26 recreational fishing incidents and issued 12 summonses and 7 written warnings.
July 2010 Eastern District Highlights
Boating
On 7/12/10 at 10:15 PM, EnCon Police Officer Jason Williams responded to the Connecticut River in Glastonbury where a 26’ vessel struck a pile of rocks and caused significant damage to the hull and created a fuel spill. No injuries were reported and the DEP Haz-Mat team was notified. The investigation is currently ongoing.
On 7/27/10 at 11:00 PM, EnCon Police Officer Ruggiero responded to the Connecticut River in Deep River where a 14’ Bombardier jet drive vessel hit the stern of a 35’ vessel causing it to launch completely out of the water and just cleared the heads of the occupants on the 35’ vessel. No injuries were reported and the investigation is ongoing.
On 7/31/10, Special Conservation Officer Marvin responded to Coventry Lake to a report of a female operating a PWC that fell on her face and caused damage to her teeth. Town of Coventry Marine Officer Meikle witnessed the accident and rescued the victim who was transported to Windham Hospital. The investigation is ongoing.
On 7/31/10, EnCon Police Officer Golet responded to the Connecticut River in Deep River where a vessel struck a sandbar with six occupants onboard. The force sent all the occupants to the bow area where two people suffered injuries. They were transported to the Essex hospital with minor injuries. The investigation is ongoing.
Boating Violations
During the month of July, Eastern District EnCon Police officers issued 112 infractions and written warnings for various boating violations in the month of July.
Burglary/Larcenies
The Eastern District EnCon Police officers are currently investigating fourteen burglary/larcenies into vehicles in the month of July that were parked along trail heads, boat launches and state parks and forests. The most common items stolen are purses and wallets where credit cards are targeted and used shortly after the crime.
__________________
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police
Captain Raul Camejo raul.camejo@ct.gov