Monthly highlights May 2011
MARINE DISTRICT
FISHING ARRESTS
Officer Reilly was investigating a fishing complaint of short Striped Bass at the Baldwin Bridge Boat Launch in Old Saybrook on the 21st that evolved into a felony arrest for Violation of a Restraining Order. Officer Reilly already had the subject under surveillance and observed the subject hide a short Striped Bass in a nearby crate. Moments later a citizens complaint came into DEP Communications Office for the same person she observed hiding the short Striped Bass. As she approached the subject, his female accomplice walked towards the crate that was holding the short fish and she attempted to release the fish, but was prevented by Officer Reilly. Further investigation revealed the subject had an active restraining order, barring contact with the female. The male suspect also had no fishing license and was charged with that violation as well the possession of the short Striped Bass and violating the court’s restraining order. The male suspect was released from custody after posting a $250.00 cash bond
PARK AND FOREST
A park patron was visiting Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme on the 13th of the month, and was swimming with his girlfriend from the jetty at the west end of the Park. The park patron dove headfirst in shallow, rocky water, injuring his neck severely enough to be evacuated by Life Star Helicopter to Hartford Hospital. Officer Vroman , Persico and Stone responded and assisted with the rescue and investigation.
Members of the Connecticut DEP Hazardous Materials Unit and Officer Savage responded to Hammonasett Beach State Park on the 14th of the month to a report of a suspicious powdery white substance that was dumped on the ground at the boat launching site on East Beach. Testing performed by the Hazardous Material technician’s found the material to be cane sugar.
BOATING ACCIDENTS
On the 8th of May at approximately 5:15 PM, a 38 foot cabin cruiser with ten occupants struck the Kelsey Point breakwater off of Clinton. There were no injuries. The Clinton Fire Department and Police Department responded with the Fire Department towing the disabled vessel back to Port. Officer Reilly is investigating the accident.
DEP EnCon Officers responded to another accident on the 18th of May in Stonington for a report of a vessel capsizing with three people aboard. Stonington Police and Fire Departments and United States Coast Guard also responded. The 22’ pleasure vessel had sunk and the three occupants were evaluated for hypothermia and released. Officer Chemacki and Acting Sergeant Tavares were involved with the incident and the operator was issued a written warning for operating a vessel without a safe boating certificate.
PRESIDENTIAL DETAIL
On the 18th of May, Officer Vroman, Acting Sergeant Tavares and Sergeant Lundin spent the day on assignment working the security detail for the President of the United States. President Obama was visiting the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London to deliver the commencement speech. Members of the security detail were deployed in a 27’ Safe Boat patrolling the Thames River and worked closely with the United States Secret Service, United States Coast Guard and members of the Connecticut State Police Emergency Services Unit. Member of the detail utilized tactics they learned and practiced at a recent federally certified Tactical Boating Course in April.
Eastern District Monthly Highlights
CAPTIVE WHITE TAIL DEER
On May 9th, 2011 Officer Wojcik received a complaint from a passer-by that a White tailed deer was being held in captivity in Thompson, CT. Upon investigation, he found that in addition to the deer, a Wild Turkey, several pheasants, ducks and other species were illegally possessed by the resident owner. Officer Wojcik, with assistance from the Wildlife Division, removed several animals and they were either placed in Zoo facilities or destroyed for testing. The owner was charged with several violations and released.
ILLEGAL TURKEY HUNTING
On May 12th, 2011 Officer J. Williams was on routine patrol in the area of Quinebaug River WMA in the Borough of Central Village. Officer Willaims heard a shot and looked around for a vehicle. Finding a likely vehicle, he parked and went on foot patrol in the area. After a short search a camouflage clad hunter was spotted leaving the woods with a hen turkey. Officer Williams questioned the person and found that he had shot the turkey knowing it was illegal. The hunter initially said he did not know the bird was a hen but upon further investigation Officer Williams determined otherwise. Officer Williams arrested the hunter and confiscated the illegal bird.
MARIJUANA ARREST
On May 26, 2011 Officer Pettus was en route to Eastern District HQ and while passing by Gay City State Park, happened to notice a car parked in a pull-off with the driver lighting a pot pipe. She turned around and upon approaching the operator she saw and smelled a large amount of marijuana smoke coming from the window of the vehicle. Officer J. Williams and Sgt. Wolfe backed up Officer Pettus and upon further investigation found illegal drugs, alcohol, and paraphernalia in the vehicle. All three occupants were arrested and issued summonses to court.
BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
On May 29th, 2011 Officer Pettus was on boating patrol of Crystal Lake in Ellington when she noticed a vessel leave the ramp area at a high rate of speed, creating a wake through the ramp area and the adjacent buoyed swim area. She observed this vessel for a period of time and noted multiple other violations as the occupants travelled the lake. While performing a safety check of this vessel she had indicators that the operator was under the influence of alcohol, in addition to several safety violations. Officer Pettus called for back-up and performed Field Sobriety Tests, after which she placed the operator under arrest. The operator was transported to Vernon P. D. for further testing and processed before being released on a non-surety bond.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
On 5/28/2011 Officer Arsenault responded to Mount Misery campground for a complaint of a woman being held against her will. The complaint was forwarded from State Police that a woman had called from New Jersey and believed that her daughter was being held against her will at a campground near the Rhode Island Border. State Police traced the call to Mt. Misery campground in Voluntown. Upon arrival it was determined that a domestic assault had taken place. Both subjects, one male and one female were taken into custody and transported to Stonington Police department for processing. Rafiel Brown ( DOB 8/19/75) was processed and released on a charge of Breach of Peace. Kim Sheffield (DOB 12/22/7
was held on a $5,000.00 bond by DEP and $5,000.00 bond on an outstanding warrant from Stonington Police Dept. Sheffield made bond later that weekend and was released.
Western District Highlights
BOATING ACCIDENTS
On Sunday May 1, 2011, EnCon Police Officer Ralph Concepcion responded to a report of a boating accident near McConney’s Grove on Lake Housatonic in Derby. The initial report received was of a boat crashing into a dock and sinking with people in the water. Officer Concepcion determined that the boat was a high performance hydrofoil which developed mechanical problems and sunk in the lake. There were no injuries and the boat was refloated sufficiently to remove from the water.
On Sunday, May 8, 2011 EnCon Police Officers responded to two boating accidents on the Housatonic River in Cornwall. Officer Nick Miofsky responded to the first accident, a report of a canoe capsizing near Housatonic Meadows State Park with one occupant being injured. The injured occupant, who was part of a school group, was transported to St Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury for treatment. Officer Miofsky determined that the canoe capsized when it went into a section of rapids on the river.
Officers Miofsky and Tate Begley then responded to a boating accident on the Housatonic River south of the covered bridge. Officer Miofsky determined that this accident also involved a canoe which capsized in turbulent water. Two occupants fell overboard and were hanging on to the side of the canoe when the Cornwall Fire Department arrived. Both occupants were treated and released from Sharon Hospital for hypothermia.
FISHING ENFORCEMENT
During the month of May, EnCon Police officers in the Western District made 37 arrests and issued 40 written warnings for fishing violations which included fishing without a license, over bagging, keeping undersized striped bass and fishing with herring.
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police
Captain Raul Camejo raul.camejo@ct.gov
MARINE DISTRICT
FISHING ARRESTS
Officer Reilly was investigating a fishing complaint of short Striped Bass at the Baldwin Bridge Boat Launch in Old Saybrook on the 21st that evolved into a felony arrest for Violation of a Restraining Order. Officer Reilly already had the subject under surveillance and observed the subject hide a short Striped Bass in a nearby crate. Moments later a citizens complaint came into DEP Communications Office for the same person she observed hiding the short Striped Bass. As she approached the subject, his female accomplice walked towards the crate that was holding the short fish and she attempted to release the fish, but was prevented by Officer Reilly. Further investigation revealed the subject had an active restraining order, barring contact with the female. The male suspect also had no fishing license and was charged with that violation as well the possession of the short Striped Bass and violating the court’s restraining order. The male suspect was released from custody after posting a $250.00 cash bond
PARK AND FOREST
A park patron was visiting Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme on the 13th of the month, and was swimming with his girlfriend from the jetty at the west end of the Park. The park patron dove headfirst in shallow, rocky water, injuring his neck severely enough to be evacuated by Life Star Helicopter to Hartford Hospital. Officer Vroman , Persico and Stone responded and assisted with the rescue and investigation.
Members of the Connecticut DEP Hazardous Materials Unit and Officer Savage responded to Hammonasett Beach State Park on the 14th of the month to a report of a suspicious powdery white substance that was dumped on the ground at the boat launching site on East Beach. Testing performed by the Hazardous Material technician’s found the material to be cane sugar.
BOATING ACCIDENTS
On the 8th of May at approximately 5:15 PM, a 38 foot cabin cruiser with ten occupants struck the Kelsey Point breakwater off of Clinton. There were no injuries. The Clinton Fire Department and Police Department responded with the Fire Department towing the disabled vessel back to Port. Officer Reilly is investigating the accident.
DEP EnCon Officers responded to another accident on the 18th of May in Stonington for a report of a vessel capsizing with three people aboard. Stonington Police and Fire Departments and United States Coast Guard also responded. The 22’ pleasure vessel had sunk and the three occupants were evaluated for hypothermia and released. Officer Chemacki and Acting Sergeant Tavares were involved with the incident and the operator was issued a written warning for operating a vessel without a safe boating certificate.
PRESIDENTIAL DETAIL
On the 18th of May, Officer Vroman, Acting Sergeant Tavares and Sergeant Lundin spent the day on assignment working the security detail for the President of the United States. President Obama was visiting the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London to deliver the commencement speech. Members of the security detail were deployed in a 27’ Safe Boat patrolling the Thames River and worked closely with the United States Secret Service, United States Coast Guard and members of the Connecticut State Police Emergency Services Unit. Member of the detail utilized tactics they learned and practiced at a recent federally certified Tactical Boating Course in April.
Eastern District Monthly Highlights
CAPTIVE WHITE TAIL DEER
On May 9th, 2011 Officer Wojcik received a complaint from a passer-by that a White tailed deer was being held in captivity in Thompson, CT. Upon investigation, he found that in addition to the deer, a Wild Turkey, several pheasants, ducks and other species were illegally possessed by the resident owner. Officer Wojcik, with assistance from the Wildlife Division, removed several animals and they were either placed in Zoo facilities or destroyed for testing. The owner was charged with several violations and released.
ILLEGAL TURKEY HUNTING
On May 12th, 2011 Officer J. Williams was on routine patrol in the area of Quinebaug River WMA in the Borough of Central Village. Officer Willaims heard a shot and looked around for a vehicle. Finding a likely vehicle, he parked and went on foot patrol in the area. After a short search a camouflage clad hunter was spotted leaving the woods with a hen turkey. Officer Williams questioned the person and found that he had shot the turkey knowing it was illegal. The hunter initially said he did not know the bird was a hen but upon further investigation Officer Williams determined otherwise. Officer Williams arrested the hunter and confiscated the illegal bird.
MARIJUANA ARREST
On May 26, 2011 Officer Pettus was en route to Eastern District HQ and while passing by Gay City State Park, happened to notice a car parked in a pull-off with the driver lighting a pot pipe. She turned around and upon approaching the operator she saw and smelled a large amount of marijuana smoke coming from the window of the vehicle. Officer J. Williams and Sgt. Wolfe backed up Officer Pettus and upon further investigation found illegal drugs, alcohol, and paraphernalia in the vehicle. All three occupants were arrested and issued summonses to court.
BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
On May 29th, 2011 Officer Pettus was on boating patrol of Crystal Lake in Ellington when she noticed a vessel leave the ramp area at a high rate of speed, creating a wake through the ramp area and the adjacent buoyed swim area. She observed this vessel for a period of time and noted multiple other violations as the occupants travelled the lake. While performing a safety check of this vessel she had indicators that the operator was under the influence of alcohol, in addition to several safety violations. Officer Pettus called for back-up and performed Field Sobriety Tests, after which she placed the operator under arrest. The operator was transported to Vernon P. D. for further testing and processed before being released on a non-surety bond.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
On 5/28/2011 Officer Arsenault responded to Mount Misery campground for a complaint of a woman being held against her will. The complaint was forwarded from State Police that a woman had called from New Jersey and believed that her daughter was being held against her will at a campground near the Rhode Island Border. State Police traced the call to Mt. Misery campground in Voluntown. Upon arrival it was determined that a domestic assault had taken place. Both subjects, one male and one female were taken into custody and transported to Stonington Police department for processing. Rafiel Brown ( DOB 8/19/75) was processed and released on a charge of Breach of Peace. Kim Sheffield (DOB 12/22/7
was held on a $5,000.00 bond by DEP and $5,000.00 bond on an outstanding warrant from Stonington Police Dept. Sheffield made bond later that weekend and was released.
Western District Highlights
BOATING ACCIDENTS
On Sunday May 1, 2011, EnCon Police Officer Ralph Concepcion responded to a report of a boating accident near McConney’s Grove on Lake Housatonic in Derby. The initial report received was of a boat crashing into a dock and sinking with people in the water. Officer Concepcion determined that the boat was a high performance hydrofoil which developed mechanical problems and sunk in the lake. There were no injuries and the boat was refloated sufficiently to remove from the water.
On Sunday, May 8, 2011 EnCon Police Officers responded to two boating accidents on the Housatonic River in Cornwall. Officer Nick Miofsky responded to the first accident, a report of a canoe capsizing near Housatonic Meadows State Park with one occupant being injured. The injured occupant, who was part of a school group, was transported to St Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury for treatment. Officer Miofsky determined that the canoe capsized when it went into a section of rapids on the river.
Officers Miofsky and Tate Begley then responded to a boating accident on the Housatonic River south of the covered bridge. Officer Miofsky determined that this accident also involved a canoe which capsized in turbulent water. Two occupants fell overboard and were hanging on to the side of the canoe when the Cornwall Fire Department arrived. Both occupants were treated and released from Sharon Hospital for hypothermia.
FISHING ENFORCEMENT
During the month of May, EnCon Police officers in the Western District made 37 arrests and issued 40 written warnings for fishing violations which included fishing without a license, over bagging, keeping undersized striped bass and fishing with herring.
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police
Captain Raul Camejo raul.camejo@ct.gov