MARINE DISTRICT
On 2/2/2009, Officer Lindo was dispatched to Parkway South in Waterford to assist the Waterford Police Dept. with a hunting compliant. Upon arriving, Waterford Police Officers were detaining one subject who stated he and two other companions were rabbit hunting on the property. They did not have permission to be hunting on the property and the property was posted with “No Trespassing” signs. Officer Lindo located the other two subjects and ran a criminal history check on all three parties. One of the subjects had a criminal history and was a convicted felon. It is illegal for a convicted felon to be in possession of a firearm. The subject was placed under arrest, his firearm seized as evidence and transported to the Waterford Police Department for processing. He was released on a promise to appear. The other two hunters were issued warnings for trespass and released.
On 2/7/2009, Officers Hey and responded to the Tilcon Boat Ramp in North Haven for a complaint of illegal hunting activity in the Quinnipiac Marsh. Officer Hey began surveillance of the marsh after he heard several gun shots. He saw a drake merganser flying along the river and heard two gun shots and saw the duck fall from the sky. The season for hunting waterfowl closed on January 10th. Officer Hey went along the shoreline and found a subject dressed in hunting clothing and in possession of a shotgun. The subject admitted to shooting the duck. He was issued a summons for hunting waterfowl during the closed season and released.
On 2/11/2009, Officers Lindo and Logiodice were patrolling Fishers Island Sound aboard the 27’ Safeboat. They observed subject pulling lobster gear from a small vessel and did not see any license plate or buoy displayed as required. They approached the vessel and conducted an inspection. The subject did not have his license or logbook on board but gave the officers his name and date of birth. They confirmed that he had a lobster license. Upon further investigation, the officers determined that the subject gave his brother’s name and in fact did not have any lobster license. The subject was charged with lobstering without a license. His catch was seized and returned to the water.
On 2/11/2009, Sgt. Lundin and Officer Hey responded to Sherwood Island State Park in Westport for a reported motor vehicle accident. Upon arriving the found that a vehicle had crashed in the area of the ticket booth in the outbound lane. The vehicle sustained heavy damage and all the airbags deployed. The operator was in a semi-coherent state and was transported to an area hospital accompanied by Officer Hey. Sgt. Lundin, assisted by Officer Ruggiero took measurements of the crash scene. The officers determined that the vehicle left over 300 feet of skid/slide marks down the road and grass during the accident. Once at the hospital, the subject was evaluated and released. Upon his release, Officer Hey placed the subject under arrest for reckless driving and transported him to Troop G for processing. Since the subject was an out of state resident, he was released after posting a cash bond.
On 2/14/2009, Officers Chemacki and DeFelice responded to the Housatonic River in Milford to assist the U.S. Coast Guard on a search for a missing person. A dinghy was found adrift that belonged to a subject that was living aboard his boat that was moored in the river. Upon arriving on scene by vessel, the officer commenced a shoreline and water along with area police and fire departments. Sgt. Warren also responded and met with the officers. Officers DeFelice and Chemacki along with Coast Guard personnel boarded the missing subject’s vessel to make sure he was not aboard. They found the vessel cabin unlocked and went inside to check on the welfare of the owner. Once on board, the officers noticed several firearms lying in plain view. The subject was located unharmed on shore a short time later. After interviewing the subject and after further investigation, six firearms were seized for safe keeping. One of the firearms was a Tec-9 pistol that is classified as an assault weapon. Officer DeFelice is continuing his investigation.
On 2/15/2009, Officer Tavares was working with Rhode Island Environmental Police Officer Schipritt on a complaint of illegal commercial fishing activity occurring in the port of Stonington. The information was that a commercial lobsterman was taking lobsters less than the legal length in Rhode Island waters and landing them in Stonington. The officers observed the suspect vessel engaged in pulling lobster gear in Rhode Island waters. When the vessel came into Stonington, the officers boarded the vessel. The officers discovered a holding car in the water next to the suspect’s vessel that the suspect admitted was his. Inside the holding car were fourteen lobsters less than the minimum legal length. The holding car was not marked with the suspect’s license number as required. The suspect was arrested and released after posting a $200.00 cash bond because he was a resident of Rhode Island. The lobsters were seized as evidence.
On 2/28/2009, Officer Chemacki was patrolling the town of Madison in the area of the East River State Access Area. Officer Chemacki observed two vehicles enter the access area and park next to each other. The driver of one of the vehicles got out of his car an entered the other vehicle. State access areas are strictly for launching of boats and fishing. Officer Chemacki conducted surveillance of individuals and observed them smoking from a device and passing it back and forth between them. Officer Chemacki contacted Officer DeFelice to respond to the area. Officer DeFelice stopped both vehicles as they were leaving the access area. When he approached the first vehicle, Officer DeFelice could smell the odor of burning marijuana. A search of the vehicle revealed a bag of suspected marijuana and a marijuana smoking device. A search of the operator of the second vehicle also revealed a bag of marijuana. Both suspects were arrested for possession of marijuana and released on a promise to appear.
EASTERN DISTRICT
Narcotics Arrest
On 2/20/09, EnCon Police Officer Johnson was patrolling Little Pond State Boat Launch in Thompson, when he approached a vehicle in the parking area and noticed furtive movement from several of the four individuals in the car. Upon further examination Officer Johnson was able to detect the smell of burning marijuana in the vehicle. After questioning the individuals, two Massachusetts residents produced a pipe and a small amount of suspected marijuana. They were arrested and released on a $500 nonsurety bond with a court date of March 20th.
Search and Rescue
Eastern District Officers were busy with several Search and Rescue efforts in February. Three hikers were lost at dusk in East Haddam on the 7th off River Road on Land Trust Property and were redirected to their car via triangulation with their cell phone, where they were greeted by Encon Officer Golet. On the 13th EnCon Officer Rose was able to locate a lost individual on the Blue Trail in the Lake Wyassup area of North Stonington and on the 22nd EnCon Officer Ruggerio was able to direct a lost hiker on the Mattabesset Trail in the Maromas Property of Middletown by cell phone back to safety.
Trapping Enforcement
On 2/4/09 EnCon Officers Chickos and Ruggerio arrested an individual for numerous trapping violations in Durham Meadows Wildlife Management Area. The individual was charged with several counts of failure to check traps and failure to label traps. On another incident on the 14th, again at Durham Meadows, Officer Ruggerio investigated another trapping case where traps were left unattended for more than 24 hours. A suspect has been identified and the incident is still under investigation.
Arson Investigation
On 2/19/09 there was a suspicious fire at Machimoodus State Park, East Haddam where a large barn was destroyed and two adjacent buildings were damaged. Sergeant Zabilansky and Officer Myers were on scene for the early morning fire and assisted the Connecticut State Fire Marshalls Office in the investigation, which has been determined to be suspicious in nature. The Fire Marshalls Office is investigating the fire as arson.
Fishing Arrests
The Striped Bass fishery in Norwich Harbor continues to yield arrests for fishing without licenses. On 2/15/09 EnCon Officer Lindo arrested an individual for Sportfishing without a license, and Officer Golet arrested three individuals for Sportfishing without a license on the 25th and another on the 27th.
Nuisance Wildlife
On 2/6/09 EnCon Officer Myers responded to a report of a fox in Essex that attacked a female’s car, then turned on the female’s father who was bitten after it attacked him. The father was able to gain a choke hold on the fox until it was strangled to death. The fox tested positive for rabies. On 2/19/09 Encon Officer Golet responded to Colchester for a report of coyote that attempted to attack an individual. The individual was able to retreat to his car before the coyote could harm him. The coyote was gone on arrival. On 2/25/09 EnCon Officer Johnson responded to a complaint of a sick Fisher in Thompson. The local Animal Control Officer was looking for assistance and upon arrival at the location of the Fisher, Officer Johnson had to use his sidearm to euthanize the Fisher as it attempted to attack him, running full speed directly at him. It was not tested, as it did come in contact with anyone.
Recreational Vehicle Enforcement
EnCon Officers made several arrests for illegal operation of All Terrain Vehicles in the month of February. On the 7th, Officer Arseneault apprehended two individuals in Beach Pond State Park on ATV’s, while on the 25th Officer Vroman caught one ATV at Wauregan Reservoir in Killingly. Officer Johnson arrested three individuals in Quad**** State Park in Thompson on ATV’s and Officer Golet caught two in Montville and Officer Ruggerio did the same to four individuals in ****aponsett State Forest in Middletown.
WESTERN DISTRICT
Illegal Trapping
On February 6th 2009 EnCon Police Officer Steve Stanko was contacted by a complainant regarding a possible illegal trapping violation. The complainant advised Officer Stanko that he lives on the Naugatuck River in Seymour and that for two days in a row he observed a white male park a green colored truck near his home and then walk into a wooded area carrying a green duffle bag. The complainant told Officer Stanko that he followed the man's tracks in the snow and found him setting animal traps in the water of the Naugatuck River.
Officer Stanko met with the complainant and checked the area finding two conibear traps set for beaver in the water approximately seven feet from the water's edge. One trap did not meet state regulations due to approximately one half of the trap being above the water line. Both traps had guide sticks placed nearby and were covered with grass for camoflage.
On February 7th 2009 the complainant called Officer Stanko and advised him that the man in the green truck tending the traps had returned so Officer Stanko responded to the location.
Officer Stanko followed footprints in the snow and observed a man with hip waders on standing in the water near the bank in the Naugatuck River. The subject had a green duffle bag and around it were two foot hold traps and three Conibear traps. The subject told Officer Stanko that he was trapping beaver in the area and that he had not obtain written permission from the owner of the property, as required by state regulation. Officer Stanko examined the sets and found the traps within the 10 foot buffer of the bank beaver den at the location and directly into the beaver burrow. Inside one trap was a caught and deceased beaver of approximately 10 pounds. The other trap was still set and unmolested. Officer Stanko determined that the subject did not have his name and address on the traps that were set.
The subject was arrested for Illegal Trap Set; Trapping on State Land without Permit; Failure to place name and address on trap and Criminal Trespass.
Lost person
On the morning of February 17, 2009 EnCon Police Officers Keith Williams and Erin Crossman were on patrol in the town of Hartland. Officers Williams and Crossman observed a gray sedan with New York plates parked in front of the Tunxis State Forest entrance gate off of Route 20 in West Hartland that was glazed over with ice. Officer Williams had DEP dispatch run the plate for contact information and attempted to contact the owner without success. Concerned for the well being of the operator Officers Williams Crossman searched the forest area following several sets of footprints with no contact and returned to the gate. Officer Williams was finally able to contact the owner of the vehicle who advised him that her son was driving the car and had not been heard from since Sunday, February 15, 2009. The vehicle owner advised Officer Williams that her son was having mental issues and was concerned for his safety.
Officer Williams called for additional EnCon Police personnel to respond to the scene. The Connecticut State Police sent a tracking dog to assist, along with officers from the Metropolitan District Commission Police. After the track with a German Shepard did not turn up the vehicle operator, a State Police bloodhound was called for to conduct a search. The bloodhound and several other patrol dogs conducted a search of Tunxis State Forest along with EnCon Police and MDC Police officers on ATVs and members of the Hartland, West Hartland and Barkhamsted Fire Departments. The subject was eventually located 6 hours later approximately 5 miles from his vehicle. A resident of the area had seen a news broadcast regarding the search and had seen someone walk through his back yard. The subject was taken to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington for evaluation.
EnCon Police assist USF&W
Federal and state officers search Massachusetts bait dealer
On February 25, 2009 EnCon Police Sergeant Keith Schneider and Officers Paul Hilli, Ed Yescott, Erin Crossman and Keith Williams assisted the US Fish & Wildlife Service and Massachusetts Environmental Police in searching a wholesale bait dealer shop in Springfield, Massachusetts. The raid was a result of an ongoing investigation being conducted by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Connecticut and New York EnCon Police officers were called upon to provide assistance as information was obtained that there was the possibility of interstate transportation of illegal bait into Connecticut and New York. The investigation is continuing by the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
__________________
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police
Captain Raul Camejo
raul.camejo@po.state.ct.us
On 2/2/2009, Officer Lindo was dispatched to Parkway South in Waterford to assist the Waterford Police Dept. with a hunting compliant. Upon arriving, Waterford Police Officers were detaining one subject who stated he and two other companions were rabbit hunting on the property. They did not have permission to be hunting on the property and the property was posted with “No Trespassing” signs. Officer Lindo located the other two subjects and ran a criminal history check on all three parties. One of the subjects had a criminal history and was a convicted felon. It is illegal for a convicted felon to be in possession of a firearm. The subject was placed under arrest, his firearm seized as evidence and transported to the Waterford Police Department for processing. He was released on a promise to appear. The other two hunters were issued warnings for trespass and released.
On 2/7/2009, Officers Hey and responded to the Tilcon Boat Ramp in North Haven for a complaint of illegal hunting activity in the Quinnipiac Marsh. Officer Hey began surveillance of the marsh after he heard several gun shots. He saw a drake merganser flying along the river and heard two gun shots and saw the duck fall from the sky. The season for hunting waterfowl closed on January 10th. Officer Hey went along the shoreline and found a subject dressed in hunting clothing and in possession of a shotgun. The subject admitted to shooting the duck. He was issued a summons for hunting waterfowl during the closed season and released.
On 2/11/2009, Officers Lindo and Logiodice were patrolling Fishers Island Sound aboard the 27’ Safeboat. They observed subject pulling lobster gear from a small vessel and did not see any license plate or buoy displayed as required. They approached the vessel and conducted an inspection. The subject did not have his license or logbook on board but gave the officers his name and date of birth. They confirmed that he had a lobster license. Upon further investigation, the officers determined that the subject gave his brother’s name and in fact did not have any lobster license. The subject was charged with lobstering without a license. His catch was seized and returned to the water.
On 2/11/2009, Sgt. Lundin and Officer Hey responded to Sherwood Island State Park in Westport for a reported motor vehicle accident. Upon arriving the found that a vehicle had crashed in the area of the ticket booth in the outbound lane. The vehicle sustained heavy damage and all the airbags deployed. The operator was in a semi-coherent state and was transported to an area hospital accompanied by Officer Hey. Sgt. Lundin, assisted by Officer Ruggiero took measurements of the crash scene. The officers determined that the vehicle left over 300 feet of skid/slide marks down the road and grass during the accident. Once at the hospital, the subject was evaluated and released. Upon his release, Officer Hey placed the subject under arrest for reckless driving and transported him to Troop G for processing. Since the subject was an out of state resident, he was released after posting a cash bond.
On 2/14/2009, Officers Chemacki and DeFelice responded to the Housatonic River in Milford to assist the U.S. Coast Guard on a search for a missing person. A dinghy was found adrift that belonged to a subject that was living aboard his boat that was moored in the river. Upon arriving on scene by vessel, the officer commenced a shoreline and water along with area police and fire departments. Sgt. Warren also responded and met with the officers. Officers DeFelice and Chemacki along with Coast Guard personnel boarded the missing subject’s vessel to make sure he was not aboard. They found the vessel cabin unlocked and went inside to check on the welfare of the owner. Once on board, the officers noticed several firearms lying in plain view. The subject was located unharmed on shore a short time later. After interviewing the subject and after further investigation, six firearms were seized for safe keeping. One of the firearms was a Tec-9 pistol that is classified as an assault weapon. Officer DeFelice is continuing his investigation.
On 2/15/2009, Officer Tavares was working with Rhode Island Environmental Police Officer Schipritt on a complaint of illegal commercial fishing activity occurring in the port of Stonington. The information was that a commercial lobsterman was taking lobsters less than the legal length in Rhode Island waters and landing them in Stonington. The officers observed the suspect vessel engaged in pulling lobster gear in Rhode Island waters. When the vessel came into Stonington, the officers boarded the vessel. The officers discovered a holding car in the water next to the suspect’s vessel that the suspect admitted was his. Inside the holding car were fourteen lobsters less than the minimum legal length. The holding car was not marked with the suspect’s license number as required. The suspect was arrested and released after posting a $200.00 cash bond because he was a resident of Rhode Island. The lobsters were seized as evidence.
On 2/28/2009, Officer Chemacki was patrolling the town of Madison in the area of the East River State Access Area. Officer Chemacki observed two vehicles enter the access area and park next to each other. The driver of one of the vehicles got out of his car an entered the other vehicle. State access areas are strictly for launching of boats and fishing. Officer Chemacki conducted surveillance of individuals and observed them smoking from a device and passing it back and forth between them. Officer Chemacki contacted Officer DeFelice to respond to the area. Officer DeFelice stopped both vehicles as they were leaving the access area. When he approached the first vehicle, Officer DeFelice could smell the odor of burning marijuana. A search of the vehicle revealed a bag of suspected marijuana and a marijuana smoking device. A search of the operator of the second vehicle also revealed a bag of marijuana. Both suspects were arrested for possession of marijuana and released on a promise to appear.
EASTERN DISTRICT
Narcotics Arrest
On 2/20/09, EnCon Police Officer Johnson was patrolling Little Pond State Boat Launch in Thompson, when he approached a vehicle in the parking area and noticed furtive movement from several of the four individuals in the car. Upon further examination Officer Johnson was able to detect the smell of burning marijuana in the vehicle. After questioning the individuals, two Massachusetts residents produced a pipe and a small amount of suspected marijuana. They were arrested and released on a $500 nonsurety bond with a court date of March 20th.
Search and Rescue
Eastern District Officers were busy with several Search and Rescue efforts in February. Three hikers were lost at dusk in East Haddam on the 7th off River Road on Land Trust Property and were redirected to their car via triangulation with their cell phone, where they were greeted by Encon Officer Golet. On the 13th EnCon Officer Rose was able to locate a lost individual on the Blue Trail in the Lake Wyassup area of North Stonington and on the 22nd EnCon Officer Ruggerio was able to direct a lost hiker on the Mattabesset Trail in the Maromas Property of Middletown by cell phone back to safety.
Trapping Enforcement
On 2/4/09 EnCon Officers Chickos and Ruggerio arrested an individual for numerous trapping violations in Durham Meadows Wildlife Management Area. The individual was charged with several counts of failure to check traps and failure to label traps. On another incident on the 14th, again at Durham Meadows, Officer Ruggerio investigated another trapping case where traps were left unattended for more than 24 hours. A suspect has been identified and the incident is still under investigation.
Arson Investigation
On 2/19/09 there was a suspicious fire at Machimoodus State Park, East Haddam where a large barn was destroyed and two adjacent buildings were damaged. Sergeant Zabilansky and Officer Myers were on scene for the early morning fire and assisted the Connecticut State Fire Marshalls Office in the investigation, which has been determined to be suspicious in nature. The Fire Marshalls Office is investigating the fire as arson.
Fishing Arrests
The Striped Bass fishery in Norwich Harbor continues to yield arrests for fishing without licenses. On 2/15/09 EnCon Officer Lindo arrested an individual for Sportfishing without a license, and Officer Golet arrested three individuals for Sportfishing without a license on the 25th and another on the 27th.
Nuisance Wildlife
On 2/6/09 EnCon Officer Myers responded to a report of a fox in Essex that attacked a female’s car, then turned on the female’s father who was bitten after it attacked him. The father was able to gain a choke hold on the fox until it was strangled to death. The fox tested positive for rabies. On 2/19/09 Encon Officer Golet responded to Colchester for a report of coyote that attempted to attack an individual. The individual was able to retreat to his car before the coyote could harm him. The coyote was gone on arrival. On 2/25/09 EnCon Officer Johnson responded to a complaint of a sick Fisher in Thompson. The local Animal Control Officer was looking for assistance and upon arrival at the location of the Fisher, Officer Johnson had to use his sidearm to euthanize the Fisher as it attempted to attack him, running full speed directly at him. It was not tested, as it did come in contact with anyone.
Recreational Vehicle Enforcement
EnCon Officers made several arrests for illegal operation of All Terrain Vehicles in the month of February. On the 7th, Officer Arseneault apprehended two individuals in Beach Pond State Park on ATV’s, while on the 25th Officer Vroman caught one ATV at Wauregan Reservoir in Killingly. Officer Johnson arrested three individuals in Quad**** State Park in Thompson on ATV’s and Officer Golet caught two in Montville and Officer Ruggerio did the same to four individuals in ****aponsett State Forest in Middletown.
WESTERN DISTRICT
Illegal Trapping
On February 6th 2009 EnCon Police Officer Steve Stanko was contacted by a complainant regarding a possible illegal trapping violation. The complainant advised Officer Stanko that he lives on the Naugatuck River in Seymour and that for two days in a row he observed a white male park a green colored truck near his home and then walk into a wooded area carrying a green duffle bag. The complainant told Officer Stanko that he followed the man's tracks in the snow and found him setting animal traps in the water of the Naugatuck River.
Officer Stanko met with the complainant and checked the area finding two conibear traps set for beaver in the water approximately seven feet from the water's edge. One trap did not meet state regulations due to approximately one half of the trap being above the water line. Both traps had guide sticks placed nearby and were covered with grass for camoflage.
On February 7th 2009 the complainant called Officer Stanko and advised him that the man in the green truck tending the traps had returned so Officer Stanko responded to the location.
Officer Stanko followed footprints in the snow and observed a man with hip waders on standing in the water near the bank in the Naugatuck River. The subject had a green duffle bag and around it were two foot hold traps and three Conibear traps. The subject told Officer Stanko that he was trapping beaver in the area and that he had not obtain written permission from the owner of the property, as required by state regulation. Officer Stanko examined the sets and found the traps within the 10 foot buffer of the bank beaver den at the location and directly into the beaver burrow. Inside one trap was a caught and deceased beaver of approximately 10 pounds. The other trap was still set and unmolested. Officer Stanko determined that the subject did not have his name and address on the traps that were set.
The subject was arrested for Illegal Trap Set; Trapping on State Land without Permit; Failure to place name and address on trap and Criminal Trespass.
Lost person
On the morning of February 17, 2009 EnCon Police Officers Keith Williams and Erin Crossman were on patrol in the town of Hartland. Officers Williams and Crossman observed a gray sedan with New York plates parked in front of the Tunxis State Forest entrance gate off of Route 20 in West Hartland that was glazed over with ice. Officer Williams had DEP dispatch run the plate for contact information and attempted to contact the owner without success. Concerned for the well being of the operator Officers Williams Crossman searched the forest area following several sets of footprints with no contact and returned to the gate. Officer Williams was finally able to contact the owner of the vehicle who advised him that her son was driving the car and had not been heard from since Sunday, February 15, 2009. The vehicle owner advised Officer Williams that her son was having mental issues and was concerned for his safety.
Officer Williams called for additional EnCon Police personnel to respond to the scene. The Connecticut State Police sent a tracking dog to assist, along with officers from the Metropolitan District Commission Police. After the track with a German Shepard did not turn up the vehicle operator, a State Police bloodhound was called for to conduct a search. The bloodhound and several other patrol dogs conducted a search of Tunxis State Forest along with EnCon Police and MDC Police officers on ATVs and members of the Hartland, West Hartland and Barkhamsted Fire Departments. The subject was eventually located 6 hours later approximately 5 miles from his vehicle. A resident of the area had seen a news broadcast regarding the search and had seen someone walk through his back yard. The subject was taken to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington for evaluation.
EnCon Police assist USF&W
Federal and state officers search Massachusetts bait dealer
On February 25, 2009 EnCon Police Sergeant Keith Schneider and Officers Paul Hilli, Ed Yescott, Erin Crossman and Keith Williams assisted the US Fish & Wildlife Service and Massachusetts Environmental Police in searching a wholesale bait dealer shop in Springfield, Massachusetts. The raid was a result of an ongoing investigation being conducted by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Connecticut and New York EnCon Police officers were called upon to provide assistance as information was obtained that there was the possibility of interstate transportation of illegal bait into Connecticut and New York. The investigation is continuing by the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
__________________
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police
Captain Raul Camejo
raul.camejo@po.state.ct.us