October highlights
Eastern District
Firearms Investigation
On Sunday, October 7, 2012 Officer Pettus was on patrol in Shenipsit State Forest in Stafford on a complaint of ATV’s in the area. While searching for the ATV’s she came upon a male with two handguns and a large ‘Bowie’ style knife on his person. Both firearms were visible as well as the large knife. She approached the subject and asked him for his identification and his permit to carry the handguns. She secured all the weapons and asked for back up from the Connecticut State Police. While checking the paperwork she determined that the subject was a suspect in an earlier incident in the same area where a man brandished a firearm and had a large knife on his belt. Ultimately, the firearms and knife were confiscated and the subject was issued an infraction for unauthorized weapons in a State Forest. Knowing the statute of limitations was quickly approaching with regard to the incident in 2011, Officer Pettus re-interviewed the original complainant and provided a photo line-up for him to view. The complainant identified the suspect and Officer Pettus received the arrest warrant from the court on October 18th with a court set bond of $10,000.00 dollars. Officers Pettus and Stanko arrested the suspect at Troop C in Tolland on October 19th. Upon release of the suspect , Officer Stanko applied for and received a ‘risk’ warrant due to the strange actions and behavior of the suspect. The warrant was received and executed on October 20th by Officers Stanko and Ruggiero, Sgt. Tomassone, Col. Overturf, and several State Police Troopers. During the search of the suspect’s residence a ‘pineapple style’ hand grenade was found and CSP Emergency Services Unit was called in to clear the residence. The grenade was later determined to be inert and was destroyed by CSP ESU. Over seventy firearms were recovered during the search and seizure. The suspect was given a court date at GA 19.
Deer Hunting Arrest
During the month of September a complaint was received in the town of Hebron concerning illegal deer hunting activity. The nature of the complaint involved a land owner who found evidence that a deer had been killed on his property. Officer Golet and Vroman investigated and found a ground blind that was baited with corn and evidence a deer had been killed on the complainant’s property. Officer Vroman checked the property several times after the original complaint. On October 20, 2012 officer Vroman approached the blind to find it occupied. Upon contact with the suspect it was found that the suspect was not licensed or permitted to be deer hunting. A crossbow was found hidden near the blind. The suspect admitted to illegal deer hunting and was charged with hunting without archery permits, illegal baiting for deer, hunting deer without a crossbow permit.
Western District
Seizure of Marijuana plants in Hartford
On October 10, 2012 EnCon Police Officers Nick Miofsky and Paul Hilli seized 113 marijuana plants that were growing on a section of DEEP owned land adjacent to the Park River off of Brookfield Street in Hartford.
The area involved was an undeveloped area along the south branch of the Park River approximately a mile and a half from the State Capitol. The EnCon Police turned the plants over to the Statewide Narcotics unit of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for disposal.
Vice President Security Detail
On October 12, 2012 EnCon Police Officers from the Northwest Sector assisted the United States Secret Service in providing security in Kent for a campaign visit from the Vice President. The area where the Vice President was visiting was adjacent to the Housatonic Wildlife Management Area.
Missing kayaker
On October 28, 2012 EnCon Police Officers from the West Marine Sector responded to a report of a kayaking accident off of the mouth of the Milford Harbor in Long Island Sound. Two kayakers had gone out onto the waters of the sound and apparently capsized in the rough water conditions. One of the kayakers was rescued by Milford Fire personnel, the second could not be located. A search of the area was conducted by EnCon Police, Milford Fire and Police along with US Coast Guard boats and aircraft. The search was suspended due to deteriorating weather and sea conditions related to Hurricane Sandy.
Hurricane Sandy
During the period of October 29th through October 30th, Connecticut was impacted by Hurricane Sandy which came ashore south of Connecticut in New Jersey. Damage as well as significant coastal flooding was experienced across the entire Connecticut coastline. EnCon Police from the Western District and West Marine Sector responded to calls from the Fairfield Fire Department to assist with flood rescues starting late October 29th and continuing through October 31st. EnCon Police officers crewed EnCon Police rescue boats and along with Fairfield firefighters searched numerous flooded neighborhoods along the Fairfield coastline. EnCon Police officers rescued 28 persons from flooded homes. In addition, EnCon Police were requested to transport two Fairfield Police officers to a flooded area where they had received a report of possible looting. Officer Paul Hilli located, detained and identified the two persons who had been reported looting and turned the incident over to the Fairfield Police.
EnCon Police officers continued assisting with searches on October 31st by going house to house with Fairfield Firefighters checking for any possible fatalities or injured persons who could not call for help.
In other areas of the Western District, EnCon Police officers responded to numerous calls of trees and wires blocking roadways, working with state and local police to ensure public safety during the storm
Marine District
Marine Fishing / Boating Activity
Central Marine officers were busy enforcing boating and marine fishing regulations through the month of October, as warm weather generated continued activity. Numerous citations and warnings were issued for tautog (blackfish), striped bass and lobster violations (mostly undersized and / or over creel limits). Also, on October 21st Officers Monday and O’Brien were on evening vessel patrol of the Connecticut River and issued several citations for boating and fisheries violations; one vessel operator and passenger, stopped for suspicion of boating under the influence, were eventually cited for fishing violations and possession of marijuana.
Storm Sandy Response
Central Marine officers were on patrol in their sector and along the western shoreline before, during and after Storm Sandy struck Connecticut from 10/29 through 10/31. Officer were staged and ready with response vessels at State Police Troop F Westbrook, answering alarms at state park buildings, sending a vessel and crew to flooded parts of the State. Prior to the storm’s arrival, on the evening of 10/29 Officers Monday and Ulkus secured the closed steel entrance gate to Hammonasset Beach State Park after high winds blew the gates open. Three vehicles had entered the park after the gates became opened, and one vehicle was found stuck in flood waters on a park road and had to be left overnight during the storm. Officers Bouthillier and Reilly also responded, and three young adults were cited for trespassing during the height of the storm, escorted out of the park and on to a local Madison shelter to await further assistance. Officers then patrolled the park after the storm’s passage on 10/30 and 10/31, as it remained closed due to storm damage, turning away high volumes of curious would-be visitors. On 10/31 Connecticut Light & Power Company began using Hammonasset’s West Beach parking lot as a staging area, and EnCon Police officers began a 24-hour security detail to safeguard power and tree crews and limit access to areas of the park damaged during the storm.
Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police
Captain Raul Camejo raul.camejo@ct.gov
Eastern District
Firearms Investigation
On Sunday, October 7, 2012 Officer Pettus was on patrol in Shenipsit State Forest in Stafford on a complaint of ATV’s in the area. While searching for the ATV’s she came upon a male with two handguns and a large ‘Bowie’ style knife on his person. Both firearms were visible as well as the large knife. She approached the subject and asked him for his identification and his permit to carry the handguns. She secured all the weapons and asked for back up from the Connecticut State Police. While checking the paperwork she determined that the subject was a suspect in an earlier incident in the same area where a man brandished a firearm and had a large knife on his belt. Ultimately, the firearms and knife were confiscated and the subject was issued an infraction for unauthorized weapons in a State Forest. Knowing the statute of limitations was quickly approaching with regard to the incident in 2011, Officer Pettus re-interviewed the original complainant and provided a photo line-up for him to view. The complainant identified the suspect and Officer Pettus received the arrest warrant from the court on October 18th with a court set bond of $10,000.00 dollars. Officers Pettus and Stanko arrested the suspect at Troop C in Tolland on October 19th. Upon release of the suspect , Officer Stanko applied for and received a ‘risk’ warrant due to the strange actions and behavior of the suspect. The warrant was received and executed on October 20th by Officers Stanko and Ruggiero, Sgt. Tomassone, Col. Overturf, and several State Police Troopers. During the search of the suspect’s residence a ‘pineapple style’ hand grenade was found and CSP Emergency Services Unit was called in to clear the residence. The grenade was later determined to be inert and was destroyed by CSP ESU. Over seventy firearms were recovered during the search and seizure. The suspect was given a court date at GA 19.
Deer Hunting Arrest
During the month of September a complaint was received in the town of Hebron concerning illegal deer hunting activity. The nature of the complaint involved a land owner who found evidence that a deer had been killed on his property. Officer Golet and Vroman investigated and found a ground blind that was baited with corn and evidence a deer had been killed on the complainant’s property. Officer Vroman checked the property several times after the original complaint. On October 20, 2012 officer Vroman approached the blind to find it occupied. Upon contact with the suspect it was found that the suspect was not licensed or permitted to be deer hunting. A crossbow was found hidden near the blind. The suspect admitted to illegal deer hunting and was charged with hunting without archery permits, illegal baiting for deer, hunting deer without a crossbow permit.
Western District
Seizure of Marijuana plants in Hartford
On October 10, 2012 EnCon Police Officers Nick Miofsky and Paul Hilli seized 113 marijuana plants that were growing on a section of DEEP owned land adjacent to the Park River off of Brookfield Street in Hartford.
The area involved was an undeveloped area along the south branch of the Park River approximately a mile and a half from the State Capitol. The EnCon Police turned the plants over to the Statewide Narcotics unit of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for disposal.
Vice President Security Detail
On October 12, 2012 EnCon Police Officers from the Northwest Sector assisted the United States Secret Service in providing security in Kent for a campaign visit from the Vice President. The area where the Vice President was visiting was adjacent to the Housatonic Wildlife Management Area.
Missing kayaker
On October 28, 2012 EnCon Police Officers from the West Marine Sector responded to a report of a kayaking accident off of the mouth of the Milford Harbor in Long Island Sound. Two kayakers had gone out onto the waters of the sound and apparently capsized in the rough water conditions. One of the kayakers was rescued by Milford Fire personnel, the second could not be located. A search of the area was conducted by EnCon Police, Milford Fire and Police along with US Coast Guard boats and aircraft. The search was suspended due to deteriorating weather and sea conditions related to Hurricane Sandy.
Hurricane Sandy
During the period of October 29th through October 30th, Connecticut was impacted by Hurricane Sandy which came ashore south of Connecticut in New Jersey. Damage as well as significant coastal flooding was experienced across the entire Connecticut coastline. EnCon Police from the Western District and West Marine Sector responded to calls from the Fairfield Fire Department to assist with flood rescues starting late October 29th and continuing through October 31st. EnCon Police officers crewed EnCon Police rescue boats and along with Fairfield firefighters searched numerous flooded neighborhoods along the Fairfield coastline. EnCon Police officers rescued 28 persons from flooded homes. In addition, EnCon Police were requested to transport two Fairfield Police officers to a flooded area where they had received a report of possible looting. Officer Paul Hilli located, detained and identified the two persons who had been reported looting and turned the incident over to the Fairfield Police.
EnCon Police officers continued assisting with searches on October 31st by going house to house with Fairfield Firefighters checking for any possible fatalities or injured persons who could not call for help.
In other areas of the Western District, EnCon Police officers responded to numerous calls of trees and wires blocking roadways, working with state and local police to ensure public safety during the storm
Marine District
Marine Fishing / Boating Activity
Central Marine officers were busy enforcing boating and marine fishing regulations through the month of October, as warm weather generated continued activity. Numerous citations and warnings were issued for tautog (blackfish), striped bass and lobster violations (mostly undersized and / or over creel limits). Also, on October 21st Officers Monday and O’Brien were on evening vessel patrol of the Connecticut River and issued several citations for boating and fisheries violations; one vessel operator and passenger, stopped for suspicion of boating under the influence, were eventually cited for fishing violations and possession of marijuana.
Storm Sandy Response
Central Marine officers were on patrol in their sector and along the western shoreline before, during and after Storm Sandy struck Connecticut from 10/29 through 10/31. Officer were staged and ready with response vessels at State Police Troop F Westbrook, answering alarms at state park buildings, sending a vessel and crew to flooded parts of the State. Prior to the storm’s arrival, on the evening of 10/29 Officers Monday and Ulkus secured the closed steel entrance gate to Hammonasset Beach State Park after high winds blew the gates open. Three vehicles had entered the park after the gates became opened, and one vehicle was found stuck in flood waters on a park road and had to be left overnight during the storm. Officers Bouthillier and Reilly also responded, and three young adults were cited for trespassing during the height of the storm, escorted out of the park and on to a local Madison shelter to await further assistance. Officers then patrolled the park after the storm’s passage on 10/30 and 10/31, as it remained closed due to storm damage, turning away high volumes of curious would-be visitors. On 10/31 Connecticut Light & Power Company began using Hammonasset’s West Beach parking lot as a staging area, and EnCon Police officers began a 24-hour security detail to safeguard power and tree crews and limit access to areas of the park damaged during the storm.
Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police
Captain Raul Camejo raul.camejo@ct.gov