04-11-2008, 09:04 PM
WESTERN DISTRICT
Narcotics Arrest
On 3/5/08, EnCon Police Officer Steve Stanko was conducting a patrol check at the Derby Dam fishing access area. Officer Stanko observed a subject in a red Chevrolet pick up truck in the parking area. The vehicle had no front license plate and a check of the license plate on the rear of the vehicle, determined that the plate belonged on a black colored Toyota 4X4 pickup truck. Upon speaking to the subject about the registration mismatch he immediately admitted that his truck was not registered and that he "borrowed the plate from a friend". The driver's window was open fully and Officer Stanko observed a thin wooden stick with one end covered in ashes. Officer Stanko recognized the stick as an implement used by crack cocaine users to clean their crack pipes. When Officer Stanko asked the subject if he was engaged in smoking crack cocaine he then readily admitted to using the drug in his vehicle. The subject was detained and handcuffed. A search of his vehicle revealed approximately 1 gram of crack cocaine, four glass crack pipes, four metal screens with residue of cocaine and the wooden poker stick. The subject was arrested for Possession of Crack Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle, Misuse of Plates and Operating without Minimum Mandatory Insurance.
Nuisance Bear Complaints
With the warmer weather bears are leaving their dens and searching for food. During the month of March EnCon Police received 41 complaints and sightings of black bears in the Western District. Of these complaints, one in Barkhamsted was for a bear attempting to gain entry into a home through a sliding glass door. Another bear complaint where one was attempting to enter a home was received in New Hartford and a third bear complaint in New Milford involved a large black bear knocking over a chicken coop and killing a number of chickens. The State Police chased off the first bear and EnCon Police and DEP Wildlife Division personnel successfully trapped and removed the third bear.
Recreational Fishing Violations
During the month of March Western District EnCon Police officers handled 42 recreational fishing incidents. There were 19 infraction summonses and 17 written warnings issued for various fishing violations.
EASTERN DISTRICT
Narcotics/Disturbance Arrest
On 3/22/08, EnCon Police Officers Arseneault and Dwyer were summoned to assist Officer Danielson in the Town of Windham. Officer Danielson had observed an individual shooting with a pellet gun at bottles he had thrown into the Shetucket River. Upon further examination and after gaining consent to search the individual’s vehicle, the officers found marijuana and paraphernalia in the vehicle and on the individual. The individual was arrested for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia, creating a public disturbance and littering, and was found to have an extensive criminal history including 30 arrests for manslaughter, interfering with and officer, larceny, disorderly conduct, narcotics, burglary, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, escape from custody and probation violations.
Operating under the Influence
On 3/9/08 at approximately 12:30 AM, EnCon Police Officer Dwyer observed an individual operating a vehicle on Millstream Road in Hebron coming from the opposite direction swerve into his lane, forcing him to take evasive action. He turned his patrol vehicle around and stopped the vehicle and suspected that the individual was operating under the influence of alcohol. After performing sobriety tests the individual was arrested and transported to Troop K in Colchester where he failed a breathalyzer test. He was charged with operating under the influence and failure to drive in the proper lane.
Assist CSP Troop K
On two successive days in March, the 29th and the 30th, EnCon Police Officer Golet was monitoring his State Police radio. He heard a broadcast in the first incident about a suicidal 19 year old and took a post on Route 16 in Colchester where he observed the vehicle pass his location. He followed the vehicle and communicated with Troop K regarding location and arriving troopers were able to take custody of the youth without incident. In the second incident Officer Golet spotted the suspect in an evading motor vehicle accident, again alerting Troop K to location and direction of travel allowing troopers to box the vehicle in and arrest the individual who was on probation. He was also in possession of a crack pipe and is a suspect in another evading accident.
Bobcats
There were two separate incidents involving bobcats attacking youths this month. One occurred in Lebanon on the 15th and one occurred in Coventry on the 23rd. Injuries to the parties involved were relatively minor and both were advised to seek medical treatment for rabies and officers canvassed the area, advising neighbors of the situation. In addition there were several other incidents involving bobcats including one in Sprague where 13 chickens were killed.
MARINE DISTRICT
Assist with 911 Call
On 3/9/08, EnCon Police Sgt. Bull and Capt. Overturf along with a state police K-9 unit responded to assist Madison Police Dept. on a search for a burglary suspect at Mercy Center in Madison. The Mercy Center is a large Catholic retreat center with over eighty guest rooms, living quarters and a conference center. Madison Police responded to the center for multiple 911 calls. While the officer was on scene, a staff member reported that a female that was trespassing on the property had assaulted her. After the assault, the police department continued to get 911 calls from the center. The victim’s description of her assailant matched that of a female that lived in the vicinity and the victim identified her from a police photograph. For over three hours, officers from the Madison Police Dept., State Police and EnCon Police searched the center but were unable to find the female. During that time, a female continued to make 911 calls to the police department from the center but the officers could never locate her. After a follow up interview of the victim by Madison Police detectives, they determined that the victim had made the story up and had been placing the 911 calls.
Trout Fishing Violation
On 3/16/08, EnCon Police Officer Samorajcsyk was patrolling the Mill River Trout Management Area in Fairfield for fishing activity. At that time, the area is catch and release only. Officer Samorajczyk observed a subject fishing and after a short time, made contact with the subject to inspect his license. The subject did not have a 2008 fishing license as required. Officer Samorajczyk asked the subject if he had any fish and the subject stated no. Officer Samorajczyk observed a creel under the subjects arm and when he asked to see the contents, the subject had two trout wrapped in a white plastic bag. The subject was issued an infraction for fishing without a license and possession of trout during the closed season.
Mobile Data Terminals
On 3/27/08, EnCon Police Officer Reilly was patrolling Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison when she observed a vehicle with an expired registration decal. Utilizing her mobile data terminal, she was able to confirm the vehicle was unregistered. She stopped the vehicle and while conducting her investigation, determined that the Milford Police Dept. had a warrant for the operator. The operator was taken into custody and transported to the Madison Police Dept. where he was held until the Milford Police Dept. picked him up. On 3/28/08, Sgt. Bull observed a vehicle entering Hammonasset with a severely cracked windshield. Utilizing his mobile data terminal, Sgt. Bull determined the vehicle was unregistered. Sgt. Bull stopped the vehicle and during his investigation, determined the operator was operating on a suspended license and had an outstanding arrest warrant from the North Branford Police Dept. The subject was taken into custody and transported to the Madison Police Dept. Sgt. Bull issued the subject a summons for operating under suspension and operating an unregistered motor vehicle and turned him over to the North Branford Police Dept.
On 3/29/08, EnCon Police Sgt. Lundin and Officers Samorajczyk and Hey were conducting surveillance of anglers at Seaside Park in Bridgeport. They observed a vehicle in the area that matched the description of one they had received complaints on regarding illegal fishing activity. The officers observed two subjects that were fishing begin to leave the area. As they were leaving the area, they retrieved a bag that was hidden under some rocks and walk to the vehicle. Sgt. Lundin ran a motor vehicle check on the license plate and found that the plate on the vehicle was reported stolen. The officers conducted a motor vehicle stop on the car and interviewed the two occupants. The passenger admitted to catching and keeping two striped bass that were less than the minimum legal length. The operator of the vehicle did not have a Connecticut operator’s license or any type of identification. He stated he purchased the car for cash with the plates on the vehicle. The passenger was issued a summons for possession of striped bass less than the minimum length. The operator of the vehicle was arrested for numerous motor vehicle charges and released on a $250.00 cash bond.
Shellfishing Violation
On 2/28/08, EnCon Police Officer Monday was conducting a shellfish patrol in a state police aircraft. Sgt. Bull received a complaint that a commercial shellfish vessel was shellfishing off its’ designated grounds in Branford. Officer Monday responded in the aircraft and observed the vessel and determined it was actively shellfishing. Officer Monday determined the vessels’ position utilizing the aircraft’s GPS system. Officer Monday documented the vessel’s position several times over the course of several hours. Upon returning to Old Lyme, Officer Monday plotted the vessel’s position on a chart and determined that it was shellfishing in an area that it was not licensed to be in. Officer Monday and Tavares met the vessel as it was returning to dock in Branford and identified the operator/captain. The operator was currently facing charges of a similar nature and was out on a cash bond. Officer Monday completed an arrest warrant for the captain of the vessel and submitted it to New Haven Superior Court. The warrant was signed and Officer Tavares served the warrant on the captain on 3/31/08. He was released on a promise to appear.
Retirements -
The EnCon Police lost three officers to retirement at the end of March. Captain John Smutnick, Commanding Officer of the Eastern District; Sergeant Thomas Lewoc, Division Training Officer; and Officer Dan O'Brien, assigned to the Northeast Sector. Between the three of them they had over 70 years of conservation law enforcement experience.
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Narcotics Arrest
On 3/5/08, EnCon Police Officer Steve Stanko was conducting a patrol check at the Derby Dam fishing access area. Officer Stanko observed a subject in a red Chevrolet pick up truck in the parking area. The vehicle had no front license plate and a check of the license plate on the rear of the vehicle, determined that the plate belonged on a black colored Toyota 4X4 pickup truck. Upon speaking to the subject about the registration mismatch he immediately admitted that his truck was not registered and that he "borrowed the plate from a friend". The driver's window was open fully and Officer Stanko observed a thin wooden stick with one end covered in ashes. Officer Stanko recognized the stick as an implement used by crack cocaine users to clean their crack pipes. When Officer Stanko asked the subject if he was engaged in smoking crack cocaine he then readily admitted to using the drug in his vehicle. The subject was detained and handcuffed. A search of his vehicle revealed approximately 1 gram of crack cocaine, four glass crack pipes, four metal screens with residue of cocaine and the wooden poker stick. The subject was arrested for Possession of Crack Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle, Misuse of Plates and Operating without Minimum Mandatory Insurance.
Nuisance Bear Complaints
With the warmer weather bears are leaving their dens and searching for food. During the month of March EnCon Police received 41 complaints and sightings of black bears in the Western District. Of these complaints, one in Barkhamsted was for a bear attempting to gain entry into a home through a sliding glass door. Another bear complaint where one was attempting to enter a home was received in New Hartford and a third bear complaint in New Milford involved a large black bear knocking over a chicken coop and killing a number of chickens. The State Police chased off the first bear and EnCon Police and DEP Wildlife Division personnel successfully trapped and removed the third bear.
Recreational Fishing Violations
During the month of March Western District EnCon Police officers handled 42 recreational fishing incidents. There were 19 infraction summonses and 17 written warnings issued for various fishing violations.
EASTERN DISTRICT
Narcotics/Disturbance Arrest
On 3/22/08, EnCon Police Officers Arseneault and Dwyer were summoned to assist Officer Danielson in the Town of Windham. Officer Danielson had observed an individual shooting with a pellet gun at bottles he had thrown into the Shetucket River. Upon further examination and after gaining consent to search the individual’s vehicle, the officers found marijuana and paraphernalia in the vehicle and on the individual. The individual was arrested for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia, creating a public disturbance and littering, and was found to have an extensive criminal history including 30 arrests for manslaughter, interfering with and officer, larceny, disorderly conduct, narcotics, burglary, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, escape from custody and probation violations.
Operating under the Influence
On 3/9/08 at approximately 12:30 AM, EnCon Police Officer Dwyer observed an individual operating a vehicle on Millstream Road in Hebron coming from the opposite direction swerve into his lane, forcing him to take evasive action. He turned his patrol vehicle around and stopped the vehicle and suspected that the individual was operating under the influence of alcohol. After performing sobriety tests the individual was arrested and transported to Troop K in Colchester where he failed a breathalyzer test. He was charged with operating under the influence and failure to drive in the proper lane.
Assist CSP Troop K
On two successive days in March, the 29th and the 30th, EnCon Police Officer Golet was monitoring his State Police radio. He heard a broadcast in the first incident about a suicidal 19 year old and took a post on Route 16 in Colchester where he observed the vehicle pass his location. He followed the vehicle and communicated with Troop K regarding location and arriving troopers were able to take custody of the youth without incident. In the second incident Officer Golet spotted the suspect in an evading motor vehicle accident, again alerting Troop K to location and direction of travel allowing troopers to box the vehicle in and arrest the individual who was on probation. He was also in possession of a crack pipe and is a suspect in another evading accident.
Bobcats
There were two separate incidents involving bobcats attacking youths this month. One occurred in Lebanon on the 15th and one occurred in Coventry on the 23rd. Injuries to the parties involved were relatively minor and both were advised to seek medical treatment for rabies and officers canvassed the area, advising neighbors of the situation. In addition there were several other incidents involving bobcats including one in Sprague where 13 chickens were killed.
MARINE DISTRICT
Assist with 911 Call
On 3/9/08, EnCon Police Sgt. Bull and Capt. Overturf along with a state police K-9 unit responded to assist Madison Police Dept. on a search for a burglary suspect at Mercy Center in Madison. The Mercy Center is a large Catholic retreat center with over eighty guest rooms, living quarters and a conference center. Madison Police responded to the center for multiple 911 calls. While the officer was on scene, a staff member reported that a female that was trespassing on the property had assaulted her. After the assault, the police department continued to get 911 calls from the center. The victim’s description of her assailant matched that of a female that lived in the vicinity and the victim identified her from a police photograph. For over three hours, officers from the Madison Police Dept., State Police and EnCon Police searched the center but were unable to find the female. During that time, a female continued to make 911 calls to the police department from the center but the officers could never locate her. After a follow up interview of the victim by Madison Police detectives, they determined that the victim had made the story up and had been placing the 911 calls.
Trout Fishing Violation
On 3/16/08, EnCon Police Officer Samorajcsyk was patrolling the Mill River Trout Management Area in Fairfield for fishing activity. At that time, the area is catch and release only. Officer Samorajczyk observed a subject fishing and after a short time, made contact with the subject to inspect his license. The subject did not have a 2008 fishing license as required. Officer Samorajczyk asked the subject if he had any fish and the subject stated no. Officer Samorajczyk observed a creel under the subjects arm and when he asked to see the contents, the subject had two trout wrapped in a white plastic bag. The subject was issued an infraction for fishing without a license and possession of trout during the closed season.
Mobile Data Terminals
On 3/27/08, EnCon Police Officer Reilly was patrolling Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison when she observed a vehicle with an expired registration decal. Utilizing her mobile data terminal, she was able to confirm the vehicle was unregistered. She stopped the vehicle and while conducting her investigation, determined that the Milford Police Dept. had a warrant for the operator. The operator was taken into custody and transported to the Madison Police Dept. where he was held until the Milford Police Dept. picked him up. On 3/28/08, Sgt. Bull observed a vehicle entering Hammonasset with a severely cracked windshield. Utilizing his mobile data terminal, Sgt. Bull determined the vehicle was unregistered. Sgt. Bull stopped the vehicle and during his investigation, determined the operator was operating on a suspended license and had an outstanding arrest warrant from the North Branford Police Dept. The subject was taken into custody and transported to the Madison Police Dept. Sgt. Bull issued the subject a summons for operating under suspension and operating an unregistered motor vehicle and turned him over to the North Branford Police Dept.
On 3/29/08, EnCon Police Sgt. Lundin and Officers Samorajczyk and Hey were conducting surveillance of anglers at Seaside Park in Bridgeport. They observed a vehicle in the area that matched the description of one they had received complaints on regarding illegal fishing activity. The officers observed two subjects that were fishing begin to leave the area. As they were leaving the area, they retrieved a bag that was hidden under some rocks and walk to the vehicle. Sgt. Lundin ran a motor vehicle check on the license plate and found that the plate on the vehicle was reported stolen. The officers conducted a motor vehicle stop on the car and interviewed the two occupants. The passenger admitted to catching and keeping two striped bass that were less than the minimum legal length. The operator of the vehicle did not have a Connecticut operator’s license or any type of identification. He stated he purchased the car for cash with the plates on the vehicle. The passenger was issued a summons for possession of striped bass less than the minimum length. The operator of the vehicle was arrested for numerous motor vehicle charges and released on a $250.00 cash bond.
Shellfishing Violation
On 2/28/08, EnCon Police Officer Monday was conducting a shellfish patrol in a state police aircraft. Sgt. Bull received a complaint that a commercial shellfish vessel was shellfishing off its’ designated grounds in Branford. Officer Monday responded in the aircraft and observed the vessel and determined it was actively shellfishing. Officer Monday determined the vessels’ position utilizing the aircraft’s GPS system. Officer Monday documented the vessel’s position several times over the course of several hours. Upon returning to Old Lyme, Officer Monday plotted the vessel’s position on a chart and determined that it was shellfishing in an area that it was not licensed to be in. Officer Monday and Tavares met the vessel as it was returning to dock in Branford and identified the operator/captain. The operator was currently facing charges of a similar nature and was out on a cash bond. Officer Monday completed an arrest warrant for the captain of the vessel and submitted it to New Haven Superior Court. The warrant was signed and Officer Tavares served the warrant on the captain on 3/31/08. He was released on a promise to appear.
Retirements -
The EnCon Police lost three officers to retirement at the end of March. Captain John Smutnick, Commanding Officer of the Eastern District; Sergeant Thomas Lewoc, Division Training Officer; and Officer Dan O'Brien, assigned to the Northeast Sector. Between the three of them they had over 70 years of conservation law enforcement experience.
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