Western District Highlights – March 2012
Inland Fishing Enforcement
During the month EnCon Police officers in the Western District received 76 complaints of illegal pre-season fishing which resulted in 22 arrests and 14 warnings. West Marine sector officers received 38 complaints of illegal pre-season fishing which resulted in 10 arrests and 21 warnings.
Nuisance Bears
With the unusually mild weather during the month EnCon Police responded to six complaints regarding nuisance bears. One complaint involved a bear attempting to break into a shed where trash was stored. Another involved a bear attempting to gain entry to a home. Three complaints involved bears attacking and killing domestic rabbits; goats and chickens. Bear capture devices were set up in the area of the three incidents involving the attacks on the domestic animals. In two of the other complaints the bears were hazed by EnCon Police or local police and left the area.
Domestic dispute
On March 23, 2012 EnCon Police Officers Matt Stone, Mike Curran and Sergeants Chris Dwyer and Jeff Samorajczyk responded to a report of a female with a knife involved in a domestic dispute who was threatening people at Sleeping Giant State Park.
Officers determined that the female had been involved in an altercation with a male subject who she began punching. The male pushed her away and she retrieved a knife from her vehicle and began threatening the subject and other people with him. At that point the female with the knife got into a vehicle with another female and left the park. Officers put out a bulletin to all the area police departments to locate the female and vehicle. Officers were able to identify who the female was and made contact with her by cell phone. Officers were able to convince the female to surrender herself which she did. The female was charged with Criminal Attempt to commit Assault 2nd degree; Threatening 2nd degree; Reckless Endangerment 2nd degree and Breach of Peace 2nd degree. The female was released on a $6,000 bond and scheduled to appear in court in New Haven on March 26th.
Exotic Animal Amnesty Day
On March 31, 2012 EnCon Police Sergeant Cynthia Schneider coordinated the state’s second “Exotic Animal Amnesty Day” in cooperation with the Beardsley Park Zoo. A recent change to Connecticut law prohibits the possession of certain exotic or dangerous animals, reptiles or amphibians. Seven animals were surrendered at the event including two American alligators; two Burmese Pythons, one of which was twelve feet long; two other larger boas and an alligator snapping turtle. The animals were turned over to Rainforest Reptiles of Massachusetts, a reptile educational facility that works with conservation law enforcement agencies throughout the northeast dealing with dangerous or illegal reptiles. The animals that were voluntarily surrendered were all subjected to physical examinations to determine the state of their health and will then be placed with zoos or other educational organizations with the proper facilities and permits to possess the animals.
Eastern District Highlight - March 2012
Fishing
On Friday, March 16, 2012, Officer Stanko was in the area of Plainfield for a complaint of illegal pre-season fishing. Officer Stanko found the suspects of the complaint and was in the process of issuing them tickets when he noticed the sound of ATV’s in the distance. Unbeknownst to him, Plainfield Police were attempting to apprehend two men on dirt bikes in the immediate area. Upon completion of his fishing contacts, Officer Stanko approached the area he had heard the ATV activity. Ultimately he was able to apprehend one of the dirt bike riders for Plainfield PD. Upon further investigation he learned that the dirt bike had an obliterated vehicle identification number (VIN) leading him to believe the bike may have been stolen. With the cooperation of Plainfield PD, he was able to secure the potentially stolen dirt bike and is continuing his investigation.
On Saturday, March 24, 2012 Officer Stanko met with Dave Christiana of the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) (also one of our Marine District Special Conservation Officers) who was able to obtain the VIN and it was determined that the motorcycle had been stolen out of Tolland, CT. This was confirmed with State Police. Officer Stanko is continuing his investigation and will be applying for a felony arrest warrant for the owner of the motorcycle.
Park and Forest
On Friday, March, 23rd, 2012, Officer Pettus was on routine patrol in the area of Soapstone Mountain, Shenipsit State Forest when she noticed several people at the Tower. Upon speaking with them she could smell the distinct odor of burned marijuana. One of the men had a backpack and voluntarily opened it for Officer Pettus whereupon she could see in plain view approximately ½ oz of marijuana and a pot pipe. Upon further investigation she learned that the suspect had an active PRAWN Warrant for his arrest stemming from a 2009 D.E.E.P. case where SCO John Marvin had issued him an infraction for trespassing. Officer Pettus took the suspect into custody and transported him to State Police Troop C barracks for processing. He was charged with possession of marijuana and processed on the PRAWN Warrant.
Marine District Highlights – March 2012
Commercial Fisheries Patrol
On March 28, 2012 Connecticut EnCon Police Officers conducted a joint commercial fisheries patrol with National Marine Fisheries Enforcement Officers in Federal waters south of Block Island, Rhode Island and Montauk, New York. The patrol utilized the 42 foot patrol vessel “Guardian” and was focused on enforcing Harbor Porpoise regulations and the compliance of gillnet usage in these waters.
ATV Incident
On March 3, 2012 Officers Reilly and Ruggiero were patrolling portions of Cockaponset State Forest in Clinton and Killingworth when they encountered two all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) driving through the forest and using public roads. One rider was stopped and cited, but the other disregarded Officer Reilly’s commands to stop and left the area. Later that day a 38 year old male turned himself in to Clinton police, stating he had been riding his ATV through the forest and had fled from an officer who tried to stop him. Officer Reilly met with the individual and determined his operator’s license was under suspension; he was arrested for this offense and operating the ATV on public roads and is scheduled to appear in court.
Park and Forest
On March 22, 2012 Officers Reilly and Ruggiero responded to Cockaponset State Forest in Chester for a large group of youths in the forest well after sunset with open fires. Fifteen youths were cited for trespassing, and the officers received information about an even larger gathering of people scheduled for that weekend in the same location. On March 24, 2012 the two officers, assisted by troopers from State Police Troop F, surrounded the same location after sunset and found nearly one hundred individuals and their vehicles in the forest, with a large open fire and alcoholic beverages. One young individual threw a beer bottle toward Officer Reilly. The suspect jumped into the backseat of a vehicle, and as Officer Reilly attempted to reach into the vehicle the back door closed on her arm and the vehicle began driving away with Officer Reilly being nearly dragged as she tried to maintain her footing. The female operator finally stopped the vehicle following the officer’s voice commands, stating she drove off because she was very scared and all the individuals were drinking and underage. The female was cited for disobeying an officer’s signal and trespass. Numerous infractions were issued by the officers and troopers to the crowd for trespassing and other violations.
Inland Fishing Enforcement
During the month EnCon Police officers in the Western District received 76 complaints of illegal pre-season fishing which resulted in 22 arrests and 14 warnings. West Marine sector officers received 38 complaints of illegal pre-season fishing which resulted in 10 arrests and 21 warnings.
Nuisance Bears
With the unusually mild weather during the month EnCon Police responded to six complaints regarding nuisance bears. One complaint involved a bear attempting to break into a shed where trash was stored. Another involved a bear attempting to gain entry to a home. Three complaints involved bears attacking and killing domestic rabbits; goats and chickens. Bear capture devices were set up in the area of the three incidents involving the attacks on the domestic animals. In two of the other complaints the bears were hazed by EnCon Police or local police and left the area.
Domestic dispute
On March 23, 2012 EnCon Police Officers Matt Stone, Mike Curran and Sergeants Chris Dwyer and Jeff Samorajczyk responded to a report of a female with a knife involved in a domestic dispute who was threatening people at Sleeping Giant State Park.
Officers determined that the female had been involved in an altercation with a male subject who she began punching. The male pushed her away and she retrieved a knife from her vehicle and began threatening the subject and other people with him. At that point the female with the knife got into a vehicle with another female and left the park. Officers put out a bulletin to all the area police departments to locate the female and vehicle. Officers were able to identify who the female was and made contact with her by cell phone. Officers were able to convince the female to surrender herself which she did. The female was charged with Criminal Attempt to commit Assault 2nd degree; Threatening 2nd degree; Reckless Endangerment 2nd degree and Breach of Peace 2nd degree. The female was released on a $6,000 bond and scheduled to appear in court in New Haven on March 26th.
Exotic Animal Amnesty Day
On March 31, 2012 EnCon Police Sergeant Cynthia Schneider coordinated the state’s second “Exotic Animal Amnesty Day” in cooperation with the Beardsley Park Zoo. A recent change to Connecticut law prohibits the possession of certain exotic or dangerous animals, reptiles or amphibians. Seven animals were surrendered at the event including two American alligators; two Burmese Pythons, one of which was twelve feet long; two other larger boas and an alligator snapping turtle. The animals were turned over to Rainforest Reptiles of Massachusetts, a reptile educational facility that works with conservation law enforcement agencies throughout the northeast dealing with dangerous or illegal reptiles. The animals that were voluntarily surrendered were all subjected to physical examinations to determine the state of their health and will then be placed with zoos or other educational organizations with the proper facilities and permits to possess the animals.
Eastern District Highlight - March 2012
Fishing
On Friday, March 16, 2012, Officer Stanko was in the area of Plainfield for a complaint of illegal pre-season fishing. Officer Stanko found the suspects of the complaint and was in the process of issuing them tickets when he noticed the sound of ATV’s in the distance. Unbeknownst to him, Plainfield Police were attempting to apprehend two men on dirt bikes in the immediate area. Upon completion of his fishing contacts, Officer Stanko approached the area he had heard the ATV activity. Ultimately he was able to apprehend one of the dirt bike riders for Plainfield PD. Upon further investigation he learned that the dirt bike had an obliterated vehicle identification number (VIN) leading him to believe the bike may have been stolen. With the cooperation of Plainfield PD, he was able to secure the potentially stolen dirt bike and is continuing his investigation.
On Saturday, March 24, 2012 Officer Stanko met with Dave Christiana of the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) (also one of our Marine District Special Conservation Officers) who was able to obtain the VIN and it was determined that the motorcycle had been stolen out of Tolland, CT. This was confirmed with State Police. Officer Stanko is continuing his investigation and will be applying for a felony arrest warrant for the owner of the motorcycle.
Park and Forest
On Friday, March, 23rd, 2012, Officer Pettus was on routine patrol in the area of Soapstone Mountain, Shenipsit State Forest when she noticed several people at the Tower. Upon speaking with them she could smell the distinct odor of burned marijuana. One of the men had a backpack and voluntarily opened it for Officer Pettus whereupon she could see in plain view approximately ½ oz of marijuana and a pot pipe. Upon further investigation she learned that the suspect had an active PRAWN Warrant for his arrest stemming from a 2009 D.E.E.P. case where SCO John Marvin had issued him an infraction for trespassing. Officer Pettus took the suspect into custody and transported him to State Police Troop C barracks for processing. He was charged with possession of marijuana and processed on the PRAWN Warrant.
Marine District Highlights – March 2012
Commercial Fisheries Patrol
On March 28, 2012 Connecticut EnCon Police Officers conducted a joint commercial fisheries patrol with National Marine Fisheries Enforcement Officers in Federal waters south of Block Island, Rhode Island and Montauk, New York. The patrol utilized the 42 foot patrol vessel “Guardian” and was focused on enforcing Harbor Porpoise regulations and the compliance of gillnet usage in these waters.
ATV Incident
On March 3, 2012 Officers Reilly and Ruggiero were patrolling portions of Cockaponset State Forest in Clinton and Killingworth when they encountered two all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) driving through the forest and using public roads. One rider was stopped and cited, but the other disregarded Officer Reilly’s commands to stop and left the area. Later that day a 38 year old male turned himself in to Clinton police, stating he had been riding his ATV through the forest and had fled from an officer who tried to stop him. Officer Reilly met with the individual and determined his operator’s license was under suspension; he was arrested for this offense and operating the ATV on public roads and is scheduled to appear in court.
Park and Forest
On March 22, 2012 Officers Reilly and Ruggiero responded to Cockaponset State Forest in Chester for a large group of youths in the forest well after sunset with open fires. Fifteen youths were cited for trespassing, and the officers received information about an even larger gathering of people scheduled for that weekend in the same location. On March 24, 2012 the two officers, assisted by troopers from State Police Troop F, surrounded the same location after sunset and found nearly one hundred individuals and their vehicles in the forest, with a large open fire and alcoholic beverages. One young individual threw a beer bottle toward Officer Reilly. The suspect jumped into the backseat of a vehicle, and as Officer Reilly attempted to reach into the vehicle the back door closed on her arm and the vehicle began driving away with Officer Reilly being nearly dragged as she tried to maintain her footing. The female operator finally stopped the vehicle following the officer’s voice commands, stating she drove off because she was very scared and all the individuals were drinking and underage. The female was cited for disobeying an officer’s signal and trespass. Numerous infractions were issued by the officers and troopers to the crowd for trespassing and other violations.
