EASTERN DISTRICT
Untimely Deaths
Eastern District EnCon Police Officers assisted in three apparent suicides on State DEP properties in the month of October. The officers worked closely with Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad at the Airline Trail State Park in Colchester, the Lake Hayward boat launch in East Haddam and at Natchaug State forest in Eastford
Deer Hunting Arrests
EnCon Police Officer Ruggerio responded to several illegal deer hunting incidents resulting in arrests in October. On the 18th, Officer Ruggerio checked an individual who was hunting with crop protection permits in Middlefield and discovered that he was not on the property he had permission to hunt, which was in Meriden. He was charged with hunting without written consent of the landowner. In another deer arrest on the 25th, Officer Ruggerio and Sgt. Zabilansky found an individual hunting over an automatic feeder that was dispensing corn. The individual was found to be hunting without an archery permit and tags and was also hunting without permission of the landowner. He was charged with several counts of illegally hunting of deer and without valid written consent of the landowner.
On 10/2/08, EnCon Police Office Pyznar was able to affect an arrest of an individual whose tree stand he found several days earlier on the Connecticut Water Company property in Glastonbury. The individual was bow hunting the Water Company and accessing it by walking from his house. He was charged with Hunting without valid written consent, improper tags and criminal trespass.
Pheasant Hunting Violations
On 10/18/08, EnCon Police Officer Danielson charged an individual who was in possession of two untagged pheasants at Nathan Hale State Forest in Coventry.
On 10/24/08, EnCon Police Officer Wojcik issued written warnings for two individuals at Franklin Swamp Wildlife Management Area for untagged pheasants.
On 10/25/08, EnCon Police Officer Vroman charged an individual with possession of an untagged pheasant at the Spignesi Wildlife Management Area in Scotland.
On 10/26/08, EnCon Police Officer Rose charged an individual in Ledyard at the Rose Hill Wildlife Management for an untagged pheasant.
Motor Vehicle/ATV Violations
On 10/4/08, Special Conservation Officer Marvin attempted to stop a vehicle in the Soapstone Mountain Area of Shenipsit State Forest for a violation of the hours of operation. The operator fled the scene and crashed a short time later even though he was not being pursued. He was charged with violation of hours for the event in the State Forest and Troopers from Connecticut State Police arrested the individual for numerous motor vehicle charges including operating under suspension for the accident.
On 10/26/08, EnCon Police Officer Dwyer backed up an off duty Connecticut State Trooper in Windham on the for a motor vehicle stop for erratic driving. Troopers were tied up on other calls and the individual was becoming combative. Officer Dwyer arrested the individual for Driving under the Influence of Alcohol and transported him to the Willimantic Police Department for a breath test. The individual was committed to Middlesex Hospital for emergency evaluation after threatening to harm himself and others.
On 10/27/08, EnCon Police Capt. Lewis attempted to stop three ATV’s in the town of Windham by blocking their path (State Airline Trail) with his vehicle. Two of the vehicles were able to get away and the third individual, in his attempt to escape, rammed into the Captain’s vehicle, fleeing the scene. A broadcast over the radio alerted Troopers who developed a suspect immediately, as one had taken photos of individuals who were recently arrested for similar incidents. The culprit was identified and arrested for numerous motor vehicle charges including: Interfering with an Officer, Reckless Operation, Unregistered ATV, Operating on a Public Highway and Operating without a license.
WESTERN DISTRICT
Illegal Small Game Hunting/Felon with a Firearm
On 10/25/08, EnCon Police Officers Hilli and Bernier were on patrol in Litchfield County checking hunters for compliance with hunting laws and regulations. While checking the Robbins Swamp Wildlife Management Area in Canaan, the officers saw two hunters walking on the railroad tracks carrying long guns. The two hunters had numerous dogs working brush on the side of the tracks behind a home. As the officers approached they observed both hunters unload their shotguns. Both hunters were found to be actively hunting rabbit on the railroad tracks within 97 yards (291 feet) of the residence. Both hunters were arrested for Hunting within 500' of a house and Trespass of Railroad property and their firearms were seized. It was later determined that one of the hunters was a convicted felon and could not legally be in possession of a firearm. An arrest warrant was obtained for that subject.
Illegal Deer Hunting
On 10/22/08, EnCon Police Officers Concepcion and Bernier developed information that an area in Camp Columbia in Morris was illegally baited for deer. Officers Concepcion and Bernier located a tree stand set up with three salt licks placed on the ground near established shooting lanes. There was no hunter present at the time. On 10/25, Officer Bernier returned with Officer Hilli and observed a vehicle parked near the area. Officers Bernier and Hilli proceeded to the tree stand and observed that it was occupied. The subject in the tree stand admitted to knowingly hunting over the bait. The subject was arrested for illegally hunting deer and turkey over bait.
On 10/29/08, EnCon Police Officers Hilli and Crossman responded to a complaint of illegal deer hunting activity in Paugnut State Forest in Winchester. Officers Hilli and Crossman met with the complainant who was legally archery hunting in the state forest. The complainant advised the officers that while he was in his tree stand watching several deer, a subject with a rifle walked near to his tree stand and not seeing the archery hunter fired a rifle two times at one of the deer. The deer fell and the subject left the area returning a short time later without the rifle to retrieve the deer. Firearms hunting season was not open at the time and using a rifle on state land to hunt deer is illegal. Officer Hilli located the subject at his residence a short distance from the state forest. The subject had what appeared to be blood on his hands and camouflage clothing. A second subject then came from the rear of the house and also had what appeared to be blood on his hands and clothing. The two subjects led the officers to a shed behind the house where the officers observed what appeared to be a trail of fresh blood leading to the shed. The subjects opened the shed door and the officers observed a freshly killed deer. Neither subject would admit to shooting the deer or tell the officer where the rifle was. Both subjects were arrested for Illegal possession of a whitetail deer. The deer was seized as evidence.
MARINE DISTRICT
Fishing Violations
On 10/4/08, EnCon Police Capt. Overturf and Sgt. Bull were on patrol of Long Island Sound off of Waterford. They observed a party charter vessel with five people on board catching numerous scup and a recreational vessel with three persons on board also catching and keeping scup. The season for scup was closed for recreational anglers but open for party charter vessels. The officers made an inspection of the three recreational fishermen and found them to be in possession of thirty-three scup. All three of the subjects were issued infraction tickets for possession of scup during the closed season. An inspection of the charter vessel revealed all five of the passengers were in possession of scup less than the minimum legal length and had several black sea bass which were less than the legal minimum length. The captain of the charter boat was issued an infraction ticket for the violations.
On 10/7/08, EnCon Police Officer Samorajczyk was patrolling the Norwalk River by the Norwalk Maritime Center after receiving complaints of fishermen taking striped bass less than the minimum legal length. Officer Samorajczyk conducted surveillance of the area for a period of time and observed a male subject leaving the area of a pier where people were fishing from. The subject was carrying a large plastic bag containing what appeared to be fish. Officer Samorajczyk stopped the subject and saw the bag contained striped bass. Officer Samorajczyk found approximately thirty striped bass in the bag, all measuring between twelve and sixteen inches. The legal length for striped bass is twenty-eight inches. The subject was arrested and released on a cash bond.
On 10/13/08, EnCon Police Officer Samorajczyk and Sgt. Cindy Schneider were patrolling Long Island Sound off of Greenwich. They made an inspection of a vessel with four persons on board that was fishing for blackfish. An inspection of their catch revealed they were in possession of thirty fish, several of which were less than the minimum legal length. The creel limit for blackfish is four per person. They were also in possession of thirteen scup, the season for which was closed. All four of the fishermen were issued infractions for the violations.
On 10/25/08, EnCon Police Officer DeFelice was off duty at the Niantic River in the area of the Mijoy dock. He observed a subject scuba diving in the river not displaying a scuba flag as required. The subject also had a spear gun and Officer DeFelice believed he might have taken a striped bass which is an illegal method of take. He contacted Officer Kane who responded to the area. When Officer Kane arrived, he saw a male subject walking through the parking lot in a wet suit carrying a striped bass. Officer Kane made contact with the subject and could see the fish had a large hole through each gill plate. The subject admitted to Officer Kane that he shot the fish with the spear gun. The fish was seized and the subject issued a summons for the violation and released.
__________________
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police
Captain Raul Camejo
raul.camejo@po.state.ct.us
Untimely Deaths
Eastern District EnCon Police Officers assisted in three apparent suicides on State DEP properties in the month of October. The officers worked closely with Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad at the Airline Trail State Park in Colchester, the Lake Hayward boat launch in East Haddam and at Natchaug State forest in Eastford
Deer Hunting Arrests
EnCon Police Officer Ruggerio responded to several illegal deer hunting incidents resulting in arrests in October. On the 18th, Officer Ruggerio checked an individual who was hunting with crop protection permits in Middlefield and discovered that he was not on the property he had permission to hunt, which was in Meriden. He was charged with hunting without written consent of the landowner. In another deer arrest on the 25th, Officer Ruggerio and Sgt. Zabilansky found an individual hunting over an automatic feeder that was dispensing corn. The individual was found to be hunting without an archery permit and tags and was also hunting without permission of the landowner. He was charged with several counts of illegally hunting of deer and without valid written consent of the landowner.
On 10/2/08, EnCon Police Office Pyznar was able to affect an arrest of an individual whose tree stand he found several days earlier on the Connecticut Water Company property in Glastonbury. The individual was bow hunting the Water Company and accessing it by walking from his house. He was charged with Hunting without valid written consent, improper tags and criminal trespass.
Pheasant Hunting Violations
On 10/18/08, EnCon Police Officer Danielson charged an individual who was in possession of two untagged pheasants at Nathan Hale State Forest in Coventry.
On 10/24/08, EnCon Police Officer Wojcik issued written warnings for two individuals at Franklin Swamp Wildlife Management Area for untagged pheasants.
On 10/25/08, EnCon Police Officer Vroman charged an individual with possession of an untagged pheasant at the Spignesi Wildlife Management Area in Scotland.
On 10/26/08, EnCon Police Officer Rose charged an individual in Ledyard at the Rose Hill Wildlife Management for an untagged pheasant.
Motor Vehicle/ATV Violations
On 10/4/08, Special Conservation Officer Marvin attempted to stop a vehicle in the Soapstone Mountain Area of Shenipsit State Forest for a violation of the hours of operation. The operator fled the scene and crashed a short time later even though he was not being pursued. He was charged with violation of hours for the event in the State Forest and Troopers from Connecticut State Police arrested the individual for numerous motor vehicle charges including operating under suspension for the accident.
On 10/26/08, EnCon Police Officer Dwyer backed up an off duty Connecticut State Trooper in Windham on the for a motor vehicle stop for erratic driving. Troopers were tied up on other calls and the individual was becoming combative. Officer Dwyer arrested the individual for Driving under the Influence of Alcohol and transported him to the Willimantic Police Department for a breath test. The individual was committed to Middlesex Hospital for emergency evaluation after threatening to harm himself and others.
On 10/27/08, EnCon Police Capt. Lewis attempted to stop three ATV’s in the town of Windham by blocking their path (State Airline Trail) with his vehicle. Two of the vehicles were able to get away and the third individual, in his attempt to escape, rammed into the Captain’s vehicle, fleeing the scene. A broadcast over the radio alerted Troopers who developed a suspect immediately, as one had taken photos of individuals who were recently arrested for similar incidents. The culprit was identified and arrested for numerous motor vehicle charges including: Interfering with an Officer, Reckless Operation, Unregistered ATV, Operating on a Public Highway and Operating without a license.
WESTERN DISTRICT
Illegal Small Game Hunting/Felon with a Firearm
On 10/25/08, EnCon Police Officers Hilli and Bernier were on patrol in Litchfield County checking hunters for compliance with hunting laws and regulations. While checking the Robbins Swamp Wildlife Management Area in Canaan, the officers saw two hunters walking on the railroad tracks carrying long guns. The two hunters had numerous dogs working brush on the side of the tracks behind a home. As the officers approached they observed both hunters unload their shotguns. Both hunters were found to be actively hunting rabbit on the railroad tracks within 97 yards (291 feet) of the residence. Both hunters were arrested for Hunting within 500' of a house and Trespass of Railroad property and their firearms were seized. It was later determined that one of the hunters was a convicted felon and could not legally be in possession of a firearm. An arrest warrant was obtained for that subject.
Illegal Deer Hunting
On 10/22/08, EnCon Police Officers Concepcion and Bernier developed information that an area in Camp Columbia in Morris was illegally baited for deer. Officers Concepcion and Bernier located a tree stand set up with three salt licks placed on the ground near established shooting lanes. There was no hunter present at the time. On 10/25, Officer Bernier returned with Officer Hilli and observed a vehicle parked near the area. Officers Bernier and Hilli proceeded to the tree stand and observed that it was occupied. The subject in the tree stand admitted to knowingly hunting over the bait. The subject was arrested for illegally hunting deer and turkey over bait.
On 10/29/08, EnCon Police Officers Hilli and Crossman responded to a complaint of illegal deer hunting activity in Paugnut State Forest in Winchester. Officers Hilli and Crossman met with the complainant who was legally archery hunting in the state forest. The complainant advised the officers that while he was in his tree stand watching several deer, a subject with a rifle walked near to his tree stand and not seeing the archery hunter fired a rifle two times at one of the deer. The deer fell and the subject left the area returning a short time later without the rifle to retrieve the deer. Firearms hunting season was not open at the time and using a rifle on state land to hunt deer is illegal. Officer Hilli located the subject at his residence a short distance from the state forest. The subject had what appeared to be blood on his hands and camouflage clothing. A second subject then came from the rear of the house and also had what appeared to be blood on his hands and clothing. The two subjects led the officers to a shed behind the house where the officers observed what appeared to be a trail of fresh blood leading to the shed. The subjects opened the shed door and the officers observed a freshly killed deer. Neither subject would admit to shooting the deer or tell the officer where the rifle was. Both subjects were arrested for Illegal possession of a whitetail deer. The deer was seized as evidence.
MARINE DISTRICT
Fishing Violations
On 10/4/08, EnCon Police Capt. Overturf and Sgt. Bull were on patrol of Long Island Sound off of Waterford. They observed a party charter vessel with five people on board catching numerous scup and a recreational vessel with three persons on board also catching and keeping scup. The season for scup was closed for recreational anglers but open for party charter vessels. The officers made an inspection of the three recreational fishermen and found them to be in possession of thirty-three scup. All three of the subjects were issued infraction tickets for possession of scup during the closed season. An inspection of the charter vessel revealed all five of the passengers were in possession of scup less than the minimum legal length and had several black sea bass which were less than the legal minimum length. The captain of the charter boat was issued an infraction ticket for the violations.
On 10/7/08, EnCon Police Officer Samorajczyk was patrolling the Norwalk River by the Norwalk Maritime Center after receiving complaints of fishermen taking striped bass less than the minimum legal length. Officer Samorajczyk conducted surveillance of the area for a period of time and observed a male subject leaving the area of a pier where people were fishing from. The subject was carrying a large plastic bag containing what appeared to be fish. Officer Samorajczyk stopped the subject and saw the bag contained striped bass. Officer Samorajczyk found approximately thirty striped bass in the bag, all measuring between twelve and sixteen inches. The legal length for striped bass is twenty-eight inches. The subject was arrested and released on a cash bond.
On 10/13/08, EnCon Police Officer Samorajczyk and Sgt. Cindy Schneider were patrolling Long Island Sound off of Greenwich. They made an inspection of a vessel with four persons on board that was fishing for blackfish. An inspection of their catch revealed they were in possession of thirty fish, several of which were less than the minimum legal length. The creel limit for blackfish is four per person. They were also in possession of thirteen scup, the season for which was closed. All four of the fishermen were issued infractions for the violations.
On 10/25/08, EnCon Police Officer DeFelice was off duty at the Niantic River in the area of the Mijoy dock. He observed a subject scuba diving in the river not displaying a scuba flag as required. The subject also had a spear gun and Officer DeFelice believed he might have taken a striped bass which is an illegal method of take. He contacted Officer Kane who responded to the area. When Officer Kane arrived, he saw a male subject walking through the parking lot in a wet suit carrying a striped bass. Officer Kane made contact with the subject and could see the fish had a large hole through each gill plate. The subject admitted to Officer Kane that he shot the fish with the spear gun. The fish was seized and the subject issued a summons for the violation and released.
__________________
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police
Captain Raul Camejo
raul.camejo@po.state.ct.us