WESTERN DISTRICT
Pre Season Fishing Enforcement
During the period of 4/1/09 through 4/17/09, EnCon Police officers in the Western District handled 81 complaints of illegal fishing. Of these 81 complaints, 28 were either legal activities or the offenders were gone when the officers arrived. 21 complaints resulted in infractions summonses being issued and 32 complaints resulted in written warnings being issued.
Reckless Driving Leads to Weapons and Narcotics Charges
On 4/3/09, EnCon Police Officer Stanko was traveling northbound on Route 8 in Torrington when he observed a vehicle being operated recklessly. Officer Stanko stopped the vehicle and when he asked for the vehicles registration the operator opened the glove compartment. Officer Stanko observed a black colored semiautomatic type handgun sitting on top of paperwork in the glove box. Officer Stanko was able to reach into the vehicle's glove box and grab the handgun. At this point no one in the vehicle articulated that the handgun was legal or that they had a permit for it. Fearing another weapon may be in the vehicle; Officer Stanko called for a backup and removed the three occupants from the vehicle. Officer Stanko determined that the handgun was a replica facsimile type look alike of a Walther PPK/S handgun. The replica was metal, functionally identical to a cartridge type handgun with moveable slide and cocking hammer. The operator was arrested for Reckless Driving and Weapons in a Motor Vehicle. Officer Stanko conducted a search of the vehicle incident to the arrest. Inside the driver's side door shelf he found a 'Black Jack' weapon (leather wrapped flexible lead striking implement). Inside an opened change compartment on the driver's side dashboard he observed an aluminum screw type vial. Inside the vial I found 12 tablets ultimately identified as Oxycotin and Percocet tablets. Additional narcotics charges were added to the reckless driving and weapons charges.
Fishing Violation/ Narcotics Arrest
On 04/24/09, EnCon Police Officer Yescott was watching the fishermen on the Collinsville Rt. 179 Bridge which crosses over the Farmington River. Officer Yescott observed one of the fishermen returning to his vehicle and Officer Yescott approached him to see if he had a fishing license and any fish. Officer Yescott asked the subject if he had caught any fish and he said he had not. Officer Yescott then asked to see his fishing license and the subject stated that he had left it at home. The subject claimed not to have any identification. Officer Yescott asked the subject if he had a knife or other weapon which the subject said he did not. Officer Yescott conducted a quick pat down to make sure an in the process discovered a blown glass marijuana pipe in his pocket. Officer Yescott asked the subject if he had any marijuana and he said that he only had what was in the pipe and that he had smoked it earlier. Officer Yescott took the pipe from his pocket and the folding knife that was in the same pocket. Officer Yescott then patted down the subject's back pocket, and discovered a pouch. The subject told Officer Yescott that it was a protective bag which he normally keeps his marijuana pipe in. Officer Yescott checked the bag and discovered a quantity of marijuana inside. Officer Yescott handcuffed the subject and took him into custody as he had no identification. The subject’s identity was later determined and a computer check showed that he did not have a fishing license. The subject was charged with Fishing without a license; Illegal possession of drug paraphernalia; and Illegal possession of less than four ounces of marijuana.
Suicide in State Forest
On 4/28/09, EnCon Police Officers Wojcik, Kucia, Ramos and Stanko responded to Great Pond State Forest in Simsbury to a report of an untimely death. The officers arrived on scene and met with officers from the Simsbury Police who also responded. The EnCon officers determined that a 59 year old male from Hartford had committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree in the forest. Evidenced found as part of the investigation concluded that the victim had been experiencing severe emotional issues and took his own life.
Fishing Partners Start Fighting
On 4/30/09, EnCon Police Officers Wojcik and Williams responded to Satan’s Kingdom on the Farmington River in New Hartford for a report of two fishermen fighting. The officers determined that two friends who had been fishing together became involved in a disagreement which escalated to the point that one of the subjects pepper sprayed the other. The subject responsible for pepper spraying the other fisherman was arrested for disorderly conduct.
EASTERN DISTRICT
Fishing Arrests
Eastern District EnCon Police Officers were busy during April with over 40 arrests for various fishing violations, including 23 arrests for fishing without a license, 12 for fishing during the closed season and 3 for over bagging trout. Officer Lindo led the district with 11 fishing arrests for the month, including one arrest where the suspects were in possession of 21 trout. The waters involved included Day Pond, Salmon River, Quinnebaug Lake, Bigelow Pond, Bigelow Brook, Yantic River, Spaulding Pond, Shetucket River, Black Pond, Willamantic River, Natchaug River and Quaddick Lake.
Stolen Car
On opening day of fishing season, 4/18/09, EnCon Police Officers Dwyer, Rose and Sgt. Wolfe responded to Long Pond in Ledyard to a fisherman’s report of a car that was observed in about 15 feet of water just off the boat launch. With the help of the Connecticut State Police Dive Team, the Officers were able to recover the car and determined that it was unoccupied and that it had been stolen out of East Providence, Rhode Island several years ago.
Hunting Arrest
On 4/11/09, EnCon Police Officers Johnson and Vroman received an anonymous tip that an individual had killed a bobcat while illegally hunting turkey with his young daughter in the town of Thompson. The officers were able to seize the bobcat and interviewed the suspect. The suspect was less than cooperative and after varying stories refused to cooperate at all. He had attempted to have the animal mounted by a taxidermist in Massachusetts and after a thorough investigation was arrested for illegal possession of a bobcat and hunting without a license.
Reckless Shooting
On 4/7/09, EnCon Police Officer Lindo encountered an individual near the Airline Trail in Colchester who was shooting a newly purchased handgun towards the trail that endangered anyone who happened to be using the popular multi-use trail. The individual was arrested for Unlawful Discharge of a firearm and Breach of Peace.
MARINE DISTRICT
Shellfishing Arrest
On 4/3/09, EnCon Police Officer Hey was patrolling Seaside Park in Bridgeport for shellfishing activity. At approximately 1400 hrs., Officer Hey observed a subject harvesting shellfish off the shore of Seaside Park. This area is closed to shellfishing due to the high level of contaminates in the area. Officer Hey observed the subject bring the shellfish to his vehicle and begin to leave the park. Officer Hey initiated a motor vehicle stop and asked for identification from the operator. The accused stated he did not have one and a motor vehicle records check revealed the subject’s Connecticut operator’s license was under suspension. The subject was taken into custody and transported to Troop G for processing. The subject was charged with shellfishing in a closed area and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. The subject was released after posting a cash bond.
Striped Bass Enforcement
During the month of April, EnCon Police Officers Hey and Samorajczyk aggressively patrolled the Housatonic River for striped bass violations. They spent numerous hours conducting surveillance of fishermen on the river due to the fact that in all of the cases they made, the fishermen would hide the undersize Striped bass they caught. The officers made a total of fourteen arrests with 35 illegal bass seized.
Burglary Investigation
In February of 2009, the EnCon Police’s Marine District was notified that several power tools were discovered missing from the maintenance shop at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison. Officer DeFelice was assigned to investigate the case. After several months of investigation which included numerous interviews, computer record checks and background investigations, Officer DeFelice developed a suspect in the case that was a former employee of the park. Officer DeFelice submitted an arrest warrant to New Haven Superior Court which was signed and served on the subject on 4/30/09. The suspect in the case, who was incarcerated at the time, was charged with Burglary in the third degree, Larceny in the third degree and Criminal Mischief in the third degree.
Motor Vehicle/Narcotics Arrest
On 4/25/09, EnCon Police Officer DeFelice was patrolling Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison when he observed a passenger vehicle enter the park displaying a combination marker plate. Officer DeFelice ran a registration check on the marker number and found it belonged on a different vehicle. Officer DeFelice stopped the vehicle and determined that the marker plate was registered to another vehicle, and that the vehicle was unregistered and uninsured. The operator of the vehicle did not have a valid operator’s license. Officer DeFelice ran a warrant check on the driver and determined that the passenger in the vehicle had a warrant on him from Meriden Police Dept. Officer Reilly arrived on scene and assisted Officer DeFelice. Officer DeFelice took the passenger of the vehicle into custody and while searching him found seven bags of suspected heroin. The driver of the vehicle was also taken into custody. Both subjects were transported to Troop F in Westbrook for processing. The driver was charged with misuse of plates, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and operating without a license. He was released after posting a cash bond. The passenger was charged with possession of heroin and processed on Meriden Police Dept.’s warrant. He was also released after posting a cash bond.
_________________
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police
Captain Raul Camejo
Pre Season Fishing Enforcement
During the period of 4/1/09 through 4/17/09, EnCon Police officers in the Western District handled 81 complaints of illegal fishing. Of these 81 complaints, 28 were either legal activities or the offenders were gone when the officers arrived. 21 complaints resulted in infractions summonses being issued and 32 complaints resulted in written warnings being issued.
Reckless Driving Leads to Weapons and Narcotics Charges
On 4/3/09, EnCon Police Officer Stanko was traveling northbound on Route 8 in Torrington when he observed a vehicle being operated recklessly. Officer Stanko stopped the vehicle and when he asked for the vehicles registration the operator opened the glove compartment. Officer Stanko observed a black colored semiautomatic type handgun sitting on top of paperwork in the glove box. Officer Stanko was able to reach into the vehicle's glove box and grab the handgun. At this point no one in the vehicle articulated that the handgun was legal or that they had a permit for it. Fearing another weapon may be in the vehicle; Officer Stanko called for a backup and removed the three occupants from the vehicle. Officer Stanko determined that the handgun was a replica facsimile type look alike of a Walther PPK/S handgun. The replica was metal, functionally identical to a cartridge type handgun with moveable slide and cocking hammer. The operator was arrested for Reckless Driving and Weapons in a Motor Vehicle. Officer Stanko conducted a search of the vehicle incident to the arrest. Inside the driver's side door shelf he found a 'Black Jack' weapon (leather wrapped flexible lead striking implement). Inside an opened change compartment on the driver's side dashboard he observed an aluminum screw type vial. Inside the vial I found 12 tablets ultimately identified as Oxycotin and Percocet tablets. Additional narcotics charges were added to the reckless driving and weapons charges.
Fishing Violation/ Narcotics Arrest
On 04/24/09, EnCon Police Officer Yescott was watching the fishermen on the Collinsville Rt. 179 Bridge which crosses over the Farmington River. Officer Yescott observed one of the fishermen returning to his vehicle and Officer Yescott approached him to see if he had a fishing license and any fish. Officer Yescott asked the subject if he had caught any fish and he said he had not. Officer Yescott then asked to see his fishing license and the subject stated that he had left it at home. The subject claimed not to have any identification. Officer Yescott asked the subject if he had a knife or other weapon which the subject said he did not. Officer Yescott conducted a quick pat down to make sure an in the process discovered a blown glass marijuana pipe in his pocket. Officer Yescott asked the subject if he had any marijuana and he said that he only had what was in the pipe and that he had smoked it earlier. Officer Yescott took the pipe from his pocket and the folding knife that was in the same pocket. Officer Yescott then patted down the subject's back pocket, and discovered a pouch. The subject told Officer Yescott that it was a protective bag which he normally keeps his marijuana pipe in. Officer Yescott checked the bag and discovered a quantity of marijuana inside. Officer Yescott handcuffed the subject and took him into custody as he had no identification. The subject’s identity was later determined and a computer check showed that he did not have a fishing license. The subject was charged with Fishing without a license; Illegal possession of drug paraphernalia; and Illegal possession of less than four ounces of marijuana.
Suicide in State Forest
On 4/28/09, EnCon Police Officers Wojcik, Kucia, Ramos and Stanko responded to Great Pond State Forest in Simsbury to a report of an untimely death. The officers arrived on scene and met with officers from the Simsbury Police who also responded. The EnCon officers determined that a 59 year old male from Hartford had committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree in the forest. Evidenced found as part of the investigation concluded that the victim had been experiencing severe emotional issues and took his own life.
Fishing Partners Start Fighting
On 4/30/09, EnCon Police Officers Wojcik and Williams responded to Satan’s Kingdom on the Farmington River in New Hartford for a report of two fishermen fighting. The officers determined that two friends who had been fishing together became involved in a disagreement which escalated to the point that one of the subjects pepper sprayed the other. The subject responsible for pepper spraying the other fisherman was arrested for disorderly conduct.
EASTERN DISTRICT
Fishing Arrests
Eastern District EnCon Police Officers were busy during April with over 40 arrests for various fishing violations, including 23 arrests for fishing without a license, 12 for fishing during the closed season and 3 for over bagging trout. Officer Lindo led the district with 11 fishing arrests for the month, including one arrest where the suspects were in possession of 21 trout. The waters involved included Day Pond, Salmon River, Quinnebaug Lake, Bigelow Pond, Bigelow Brook, Yantic River, Spaulding Pond, Shetucket River, Black Pond, Willamantic River, Natchaug River and Quaddick Lake.
Stolen Car
On opening day of fishing season, 4/18/09, EnCon Police Officers Dwyer, Rose and Sgt. Wolfe responded to Long Pond in Ledyard to a fisherman’s report of a car that was observed in about 15 feet of water just off the boat launch. With the help of the Connecticut State Police Dive Team, the Officers were able to recover the car and determined that it was unoccupied and that it had been stolen out of East Providence, Rhode Island several years ago.
Hunting Arrest
On 4/11/09, EnCon Police Officers Johnson and Vroman received an anonymous tip that an individual had killed a bobcat while illegally hunting turkey with his young daughter in the town of Thompson. The officers were able to seize the bobcat and interviewed the suspect. The suspect was less than cooperative and after varying stories refused to cooperate at all. He had attempted to have the animal mounted by a taxidermist in Massachusetts and after a thorough investigation was arrested for illegal possession of a bobcat and hunting without a license.
Reckless Shooting
On 4/7/09, EnCon Police Officer Lindo encountered an individual near the Airline Trail in Colchester who was shooting a newly purchased handgun towards the trail that endangered anyone who happened to be using the popular multi-use trail. The individual was arrested for Unlawful Discharge of a firearm and Breach of Peace.
MARINE DISTRICT
Shellfishing Arrest
On 4/3/09, EnCon Police Officer Hey was patrolling Seaside Park in Bridgeport for shellfishing activity. At approximately 1400 hrs., Officer Hey observed a subject harvesting shellfish off the shore of Seaside Park. This area is closed to shellfishing due to the high level of contaminates in the area. Officer Hey observed the subject bring the shellfish to his vehicle and begin to leave the park. Officer Hey initiated a motor vehicle stop and asked for identification from the operator. The accused stated he did not have one and a motor vehicle records check revealed the subject’s Connecticut operator’s license was under suspension. The subject was taken into custody and transported to Troop G for processing. The subject was charged with shellfishing in a closed area and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. The subject was released after posting a cash bond.
Striped Bass Enforcement
During the month of April, EnCon Police Officers Hey and Samorajczyk aggressively patrolled the Housatonic River for striped bass violations. They spent numerous hours conducting surveillance of fishermen on the river due to the fact that in all of the cases they made, the fishermen would hide the undersize Striped bass they caught. The officers made a total of fourteen arrests with 35 illegal bass seized.
Burglary Investigation
In February of 2009, the EnCon Police’s Marine District was notified that several power tools were discovered missing from the maintenance shop at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison. Officer DeFelice was assigned to investigate the case. After several months of investigation which included numerous interviews, computer record checks and background investigations, Officer DeFelice developed a suspect in the case that was a former employee of the park. Officer DeFelice submitted an arrest warrant to New Haven Superior Court which was signed and served on the subject on 4/30/09. The suspect in the case, who was incarcerated at the time, was charged with Burglary in the third degree, Larceny in the third degree and Criminal Mischief in the third degree.
Motor Vehicle/Narcotics Arrest
On 4/25/09, EnCon Police Officer DeFelice was patrolling Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison when he observed a passenger vehicle enter the park displaying a combination marker plate. Officer DeFelice ran a registration check on the marker number and found it belonged on a different vehicle. Officer DeFelice stopped the vehicle and determined that the marker plate was registered to another vehicle, and that the vehicle was unregistered and uninsured. The operator of the vehicle did not have a valid operator’s license. Officer DeFelice ran a warrant check on the driver and determined that the passenger in the vehicle had a warrant on him from Meriden Police Dept. Officer Reilly arrived on scene and assisted Officer DeFelice. Officer DeFelice took the passenger of the vehicle into custody and while searching him found seven bags of suspected heroin. The driver of the vehicle was also taken into custody. Both subjects were transported to Troop F in Westbrook for processing. The driver was charged with misuse of plates, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and operating without a license. He was released after posting a cash bond. The passenger was charged with possession of heroin and processed on Meriden Police Dept.’s warrant. He was also released after posting a cash bond.
_________________
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police
Captain Raul Camejo