SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
MARINE DISTRICT
Boating Accidents
On 9/3/09 at approximately 9:30 p.m., the Guilford Police Department notified the EnCon Police of a report of a serious boating accident that occurred in the area of Old Quarry Rd. An open power boat had struck a sea wall and there were injuries reported. Officers Mieldzioc, Persico, Ruggiero and Chemacki initially responded to the scene. Upon arriving, they found that one of the vessel occupants had been pronounced dead on the scene and three other persons had been transported to area hospitals, one with critical injuries. Sgt. Healy, Lundin and Capt. Overturf responded to the scene while Officers Hey and Reilly were dispatched to the hospitals where the accident victims were taken. Guilford and Branford Fire Departments were on scene along with the U.S. Coast Guard conducting a water search of the area for more victims. Initially it was not known how many persons were on the vessel when it struck the sea wall. When Officer Reilly was able to confirm with the vessel’s owner that there were only four persons on board when the accident occurred the search was discontinued. The vessel was seized and transported to Old Lyme Headquarters so the Boating Accident Reconstruction Unit could examine the vessel. The investigation into the cause of the accident is continuing.
On 9/6/09 at approximately 7:30 a.m., the EnCon Police were notified of an on-going search for a missing kayaker in Long Island Sound off of Milford near Charles Island. The report indicated that two males had taken a kayak out to Charles Island around 1:00 am and had swamped it returning to shore. One of the occupants was able to swim to a sailboat but the other occupant was missing. A water search was being conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard, Milford Fire Department and West Haven Fire Department. Acting Sergeant Kane and Officers Samorajczyk and Logiodice responded to the scene. Acting Sergeant Kane and Officer Samorajczyk assisted with the water search and Officer Logiodice was dispatched to the hospital to interview the other occupant. The search continued through the day with no results and was called off the next day around noon. The other occupant has not been recovered. The EnCon Police are investigating the accident.
Interfering
On 9/1/09, EnCon Police Officer DeFelice was checking for fishing and crabbing activity along the East River in Guilford where he observed two men crabbing from a small boat near Rt. 1. Officer DeFelice signaled for the men in the boat to come to shore so he could inspect their catch. The operator of the vessel ignored Officer DeFelice and headed north up the river past a small marina just north of the Rt. 1 Bridge. Officer DeFelice went to the marina where the owner met him complaining about the wake and speed of the boat that just went by. The marina owner agreed to give Officer DeFelice a ride in a vessel in an attempt to locate the vessel that had fled. Officer DeFelice found the vessel and the two occupants hiding under the I-95 overpass. The operator immediately began swearing at Officer DeFelice, and threatening him. The operator finally agreed to bring his vessel to a nearby marina. When they arrived at the marina, the vessel operator refused to give his name to Officer DeFelice and refused to get off his boat. Officer DeFelice told him he was under arrest and attempted to escort him off the boat. The operator refused, began swearing at Officer DeFelice and threatened him. Officer DeFelice began struggling with the subject in an attempt to handcuff him but the subject resisted and began fighting with Officer DeFelice. Officer Chickos arrived on scene and the two officers were able to subdue the subject. The subject was transported to Troop F for processing. He was charged with Interfering with an Officer, Disorderly Conduct, Failure to Stand By for Inspection and Violation of Boating Regulations.
Scup Violations
On 9/22/09, EnCon Police Officer Tavares was on vessel patrol of Fisher’s Island Sound in Stonington. He observed three males fishing from a vessel and upon inspection noticed two coolers with a large quantity of scup. Officer Tavares counted the scup and found the three to be in possession of over 80 scup, which is 50 over their possession limit. There were also numerous fish that measured less than the minimum legal length. All three subjects were issued infractions for the violations and the fished seized.
EASTERN DISTRICT
Fatal Boating Accident
On 9/11/09 , two individuals were fishing in Lake Terramuggus in Marlborough. One of the individuals was let off of the rowboat they were fishing from to warm up in the car, while the other individual continued to fish the lake. After approximately 1 hour the individual that was on shore attempted to summon the man in the boat without success and saw the rowboat anchored on the Western shore, unoccupied. EnCon Police Officers, Connecticut State Police, Marlborough and Colchester Rescue Units were called to the scene and immediately began a search for the missing 56 year old man. He was later found deceased in close proximity to the vessel by the State Police Dive Team with the aid of side scan sonar. Captain O’Connell, Sgt. Dwyer and Officers Ruggiero and Marvin responded. The accident is under investigation.
Suspected Arson
9/28/09, EnCon Police Officer Lindo was dispatched to Bolton Notch State Park to a report of a car fire. Upon his arrival he was greeted by Connecticut State Police who advised that the operator of a car was in custody and was committed to the hospital on an emergency basis. He was found near his burning vehicle, unresponsive and is a suspect in the arson of that vehicle. Responding K-9 units reacted positively for accelerants and the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad is investigating.
Public Safety/Medical Assists
Eastern District EnCon Police Officers responded to numerous safety and medical incidents in September. On the 9/6, Officer Ruggiero was at Haddam Meadows State Park and was advised that a child near the launch area was in medical distress. He ascertained that the child experienced a near drowning and was pulled from the Connecticut River after being submerged for about a minute. The child was transported to Middlesex Hospital in Middletown after experiencing breathing problems. On 9/13 and 16, Officer Ruggiero assisted Connecticut State Police with two incidents; one in Middlefield that was a domestic violence incident and the other incident in Haddam involved searching for a vehicle that struck a pedestrian. On the 9/18, Officer Lindo assisted with the successful rescue of a lost hiker in Nehantic State Forest in Lyme and on the 9/22 with a medical assist of a motorcycle accident in Meshomasic State Forest in Glastonbury. The subject in that crash was treated at Middlesex Hospital for numerous suspected leg fractures. On the 9/19, Officer Danielson responded to a medical assist of a woman who was thrown from her horse at Natchaug State Forest requiring her evacuation by Life Star Helicopter and Officer Williams assisted with the search and rescue of two people who were lost in Old Furnace State Park in Killingly on the 9/27.
Disorderly Conduct
On 9/5/09, EnCon Police Officer Rose was dispatched to an incident in Pachaug State Forest in North Stonington where a witness observed an individual who was shooting an AK-47 assault rifle in the forest. A suspect vehicle registration was obtained, empty shell casings were seized and a suspect was developed. The case is still under investigation pending location of the suspect.
WESTERN DISTRICT
Sturgeon Arrest
On 9/4/09, EnCon Police Officer Wojcik checked the Windsor Meadows State Park and observed a vehicle parked across from the boat launch. The owner of the vehicle was known to Officer Wojcik through past fishing violations. Approximately two hours later Officer Wojcik observed the subject paddling a raft to the river's edge just below the launch area. The subject then walked up to his vehicle carrying a fishing pole and a 5 gallon bucket filled with bags and tackle. Officer Wojcik approached the subject and asked if he had caught any fish. The subject replied "No" and shook his head also indicating he did not catch any fish. Officer Wojcik then checked the bucket and found a federally protected Short nose Sturgeon, approximately 1 foot long, in a plastic bag at the bottom of the bucket with numerous fishing tackle on top. Officer Wojcik then informed the subject that he had caught a sturgeon and that it was federally protected. The subject, who had a limited understanding of English indicated that he did not understand. Officer Wojcik arrested the subject for Illegal Possession of a Sturgeon. The Special Agent for US Fish & Wildlife was contacted but declined to pursue Federal charges against the subject as he only had one small fish in possession.
Fall in State Forest
On 9/24/09 at 7:30pm, EnCon Police Sergeant K. Schneider and Officers K. Williams and Hey responded to the High Rock area of Naugatuck State Forest in Beacon Falls for a report of a person who fell off the steep rocks in the area. Two men and a woman had been hiking in the forest during the afternoon and while trying to make their way back out to their vehicle had slipped and fell down the steep slope. One of the men and the woman fell approximately fifty feet off of a rock cliff and tumbled over sixty feet before finally stopping. The other man was able to grab onto a tree to prevent him from going over the edge. The man and woman who fell off the cliff were rescued by the Beacon Falls Fire Department and transported to Waterbury Hospital for treatment. Officer Williams determined from the three individuals that they had been drinking alcohol provided by one of the men prior to the accident. The woman was under 21 years of age and as a result, the subject that provided her with the alcohol was arrested for permitting a minor to possess alcohol.
EnCon Police Extradite Wanted Person from New York State
In November 2008, EnCon Police Officers Stanko and Hilli arrested a New Milford resident on charges related to illegally killing a 13 point buck in the town of Washington.
On 5/1/09 when the subject went to trial on the charges, the subject’s 25 year old nephew, also of New Milford, testified under oath as a defense witness in court in Bantam Superior Court. The subject testified that although he never hunted a day in his life, nor fired a rifle, he shot the 13 point buck in question in his uncle's trial. The subject testified he used a "223 rifle" to shoot a deer in Washington. As the subject was a convicted felon, he was advised by court personnel that he could face a minimum penalty of two years in prison in the state of Connecticut for possessing a firearm and he was asked if he wanted to continue to incriminate himself. The subject stated he wanted to continue and testified that he shot the deer and gave further details.
On 5/8/09 the trial against the original subject found him guilty and the court convicted him of probation violation and illegal hunting violations which resulted in a sentence of 9 months in prison. As a result of his testimony, an arrest warrant was issued in June of 2009 for the subject’s nephew for the charges of: Negligent Hunting; Hunting/Discharge firearm from Public Highway; Illegal Hunting of White Tail Deer; Hunting without a License; and Criminal Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Officers Stanko and Hilli attempted to locate the subject throughout the summer of 2009. In September of 2009, the EnCon Police officers assisted by the New Milford Police Department learned that the subject was in custody in the state of New York on a 45 day jail sentence for motor vehicle and reckless endangerment charges relating to a high speed pursuit in Warren County New York and was being held at the Warren County Sheriff's Office in Lake George New York.
EnCon Police officers requested that extradition proceedings begin for the subject which was granted by the Superior Court in Bantam. On 9/24/09 the subject was released from the Warren County New York correctional center and taken into custody by Officers Stanko and Hilli. The subject was returned to Connecticut where he was held on a $10,000.00 bond pending trial.
Tranquilized Moose
On 9/9/09 a moose sighting was received via phone regarding a young bull on Route 8 near the water treatment plant in Winsted. Six additional website reports and a few phone calls of a young bull came in over the next two weeks from the towns of Watertown and Middlebury. As reported sightings indicated the moose was apparently near Interstate 84, DEP staff was prepared to immobilize the moose at the earliest opportunity, to prevent the possibility of a moose-vehicle collision. On 9/25 the moose was sighted in an office park 150 yards north of Route 84 in Southbury.
EnCon Police officers arrived on the scene and warned motorists and onlookers of the potential concerns regarding the moose. The EnCon Police Tranquilizer team was fortunate to get the moose in a safe location where it could be immobilized. The DEP Team, which also included staff from Wildlife, and several local police officers carried the bull from the woods to the back of a pick-truck where it was prepared for transport. The five point bull that traveled over 20 miles, was estimated to weigh over 600 pounds based on body measurements and was fitted with a GPS collar and ear tags (#6). The moose was transported to Northern Connecticut where its movements will be tracked on a weekly basis. Coordinated efforts between local police, EnCon police and wildlife staff was critical to the success of these efforts
__________________
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police
Captain Raul Camejo raul.camejo@ct.gov
MARINE DISTRICT
Boating Accidents
On 9/3/09 at approximately 9:30 p.m., the Guilford Police Department notified the EnCon Police of a report of a serious boating accident that occurred in the area of Old Quarry Rd. An open power boat had struck a sea wall and there were injuries reported. Officers Mieldzioc, Persico, Ruggiero and Chemacki initially responded to the scene. Upon arriving, they found that one of the vessel occupants had been pronounced dead on the scene and three other persons had been transported to area hospitals, one with critical injuries. Sgt. Healy, Lundin and Capt. Overturf responded to the scene while Officers Hey and Reilly were dispatched to the hospitals where the accident victims were taken. Guilford and Branford Fire Departments were on scene along with the U.S. Coast Guard conducting a water search of the area for more victims. Initially it was not known how many persons were on the vessel when it struck the sea wall. When Officer Reilly was able to confirm with the vessel’s owner that there were only four persons on board when the accident occurred the search was discontinued. The vessel was seized and transported to Old Lyme Headquarters so the Boating Accident Reconstruction Unit could examine the vessel. The investigation into the cause of the accident is continuing.
On 9/6/09 at approximately 7:30 a.m., the EnCon Police were notified of an on-going search for a missing kayaker in Long Island Sound off of Milford near Charles Island. The report indicated that two males had taken a kayak out to Charles Island around 1:00 am and had swamped it returning to shore. One of the occupants was able to swim to a sailboat but the other occupant was missing. A water search was being conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard, Milford Fire Department and West Haven Fire Department. Acting Sergeant Kane and Officers Samorajczyk and Logiodice responded to the scene. Acting Sergeant Kane and Officer Samorajczyk assisted with the water search and Officer Logiodice was dispatched to the hospital to interview the other occupant. The search continued through the day with no results and was called off the next day around noon. The other occupant has not been recovered. The EnCon Police are investigating the accident.
Interfering
On 9/1/09, EnCon Police Officer DeFelice was checking for fishing and crabbing activity along the East River in Guilford where he observed two men crabbing from a small boat near Rt. 1. Officer DeFelice signaled for the men in the boat to come to shore so he could inspect their catch. The operator of the vessel ignored Officer DeFelice and headed north up the river past a small marina just north of the Rt. 1 Bridge. Officer DeFelice went to the marina where the owner met him complaining about the wake and speed of the boat that just went by. The marina owner agreed to give Officer DeFelice a ride in a vessel in an attempt to locate the vessel that had fled. Officer DeFelice found the vessel and the two occupants hiding under the I-95 overpass. The operator immediately began swearing at Officer DeFelice, and threatening him. The operator finally agreed to bring his vessel to a nearby marina. When they arrived at the marina, the vessel operator refused to give his name to Officer DeFelice and refused to get off his boat. Officer DeFelice told him he was under arrest and attempted to escort him off the boat. The operator refused, began swearing at Officer DeFelice and threatened him. Officer DeFelice began struggling with the subject in an attempt to handcuff him but the subject resisted and began fighting with Officer DeFelice. Officer Chickos arrived on scene and the two officers were able to subdue the subject. The subject was transported to Troop F for processing. He was charged with Interfering with an Officer, Disorderly Conduct, Failure to Stand By for Inspection and Violation of Boating Regulations.
Scup Violations
On 9/22/09, EnCon Police Officer Tavares was on vessel patrol of Fisher’s Island Sound in Stonington. He observed three males fishing from a vessel and upon inspection noticed two coolers with a large quantity of scup. Officer Tavares counted the scup and found the three to be in possession of over 80 scup, which is 50 over their possession limit. There were also numerous fish that measured less than the minimum legal length. All three subjects were issued infractions for the violations and the fished seized.
EASTERN DISTRICT
Fatal Boating Accident
On 9/11/09 , two individuals were fishing in Lake Terramuggus in Marlborough. One of the individuals was let off of the rowboat they were fishing from to warm up in the car, while the other individual continued to fish the lake. After approximately 1 hour the individual that was on shore attempted to summon the man in the boat without success and saw the rowboat anchored on the Western shore, unoccupied. EnCon Police Officers, Connecticut State Police, Marlborough and Colchester Rescue Units were called to the scene and immediately began a search for the missing 56 year old man. He was later found deceased in close proximity to the vessel by the State Police Dive Team with the aid of side scan sonar. Captain O’Connell, Sgt. Dwyer and Officers Ruggiero and Marvin responded. The accident is under investigation.
Suspected Arson
9/28/09, EnCon Police Officer Lindo was dispatched to Bolton Notch State Park to a report of a car fire. Upon his arrival he was greeted by Connecticut State Police who advised that the operator of a car was in custody and was committed to the hospital on an emergency basis. He was found near his burning vehicle, unresponsive and is a suspect in the arson of that vehicle. Responding K-9 units reacted positively for accelerants and the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad is investigating.
Public Safety/Medical Assists
Eastern District EnCon Police Officers responded to numerous safety and medical incidents in September. On the 9/6, Officer Ruggiero was at Haddam Meadows State Park and was advised that a child near the launch area was in medical distress. He ascertained that the child experienced a near drowning and was pulled from the Connecticut River after being submerged for about a minute. The child was transported to Middlesex Hospital in Middletown after experiencing breathing problems. On 9/13 and 16, Officer Ruggiero assisted Connecticut State Police with two incidents; one in Middlefield that was a domestic violence incident and the other incident in Haddam involved searching for a vehicle that struck a pedestrian. On the 9/18, Officer Lindo assisted with the successful rescue of a lost hiker in Nehantic State Forest in Lyme and on the 9/22 with a medical assist of a motorcycle accident in Meshomasic State Forest in Glastonbury. The subject in that crash was treated at Middlesex Hospital for numerous suspected leg fractures. On the 9/19, Officer Danielson responded to a medical assist of a woman who was thrown from her horse at Natchaug State Forest requiring her evacuation by Life Star Helicopter and Officer Williams assisted with the search and rescue of two people who were lost in Old Furnace State Park in Killingly on the 9/27.
Disorderly Conduct
On 9/5/09, EnCon Police Officer Rose was dispatched to an incident in Pachaug State Forest in North Stonington where a witness observed an individual who was shooting an AK-47 assault rifle in the forest. A suspect vehicle registration was obtained, empty shell casings were seized and a suspect was developed. The case is still under investigation pending location of the suspect.
WESTERN DISTRICT
Sturgeon Arrest
On 9/4/09, EnCon Police Officer Wojcik checked the Windsor Meadows State Park and observed a vehicle parked across from the boat launch. The owner of the vehicle was known to Officer Wojcik through past fishing violations. Approximately two hours later Officer Wojcik observed the subject paddling a raft to the river's edge just below the launch area. The subject then walked up to his vehicle carrying a fishing pole and a 5 gallon bucket filled with bags and tackle. Officer Wojcik approached the subject and asked if he had caught any fish. The subject replied "No" and shook his head also indicating he did not catch any fish. Officer Wojcik then checked the bucket and found a federally protected Short nose Sturgeon, approximately 1 foot long, in a plastic bag at the bottom of the bucket with numerous fishing tackle on top. Officer Wojcik then informed the subject that he had caught a sturgeon and that it was federally protected. The subject, who had a limited understanding of English indicated that he did not understand. Officer Wojcik arrested the subject for Illegal Possession of a Sturgeon. The Special Agent for US Fish & Wildlife was contacted but declined to pursue Federal charges against the subject as he only had one small fish in possession.
Fall in State Forest
On 9/24/09 at 7:30pm, EnCon Police Sergeant K. Schneider and Officers K. Williams and Hey responded to the High Rock area of Naugatuck State Forest in Beacon Falls for a report of a person who fell off the steep rocks in the area. Two men and a woman had been hiking in the forest during the afternoon and while trying to make their way back out to their vehicle had slipped and fell down the steep slope. One of the men and the woman fell approximately fifty feet off of a rock cliff and tumbled over sixty feet before finally stopping. The other man was able to grab onto a tree to prevent him from going over the edge. The man and woman who fell off the cliff were rescued by the Beacon Falls Fire Department and transported to Waterbury Hospital for treatment. Officer Williams determined from the three individuals that they had been drinking alcohol provided by one of the men prior to the accident. The woman was under 21 years of age and as a result, the subject that provided her with the alcohol was arrested for permitting a minor to possess alcohol.
EnCon Police Extradite Wanted Person from New York State
In November 2008, EnCon Police Officers Stanko and Hilli arrested a New Milford resident on charges related to illegally killing a 13 point buck in the town of Washington.
On 5/1/09 when the subject went to trial on the charges, the subject’s 25 year old nephew, also of New Milford, testified under oath as a defense witness in court in Bantam Superior Court. The subject testified that although he never hunted a day in his life, nor fired a rifle, he shot the 13 point buck in question in his uncle's trial. The subject testified he used a "223 rifle" to shoot a deer in Washington. As the subject was a convicted felon, he was advised by court personnel that he could face a minimum penalty of two years in prison in the state of Connecticut for possessing a firearm and he was asked if he wanted to continue to incriminate himself. The subject stated he wanted to continue and testified that he shot the deer and gave further details.
On 5/8/09 the trial against the original subject found him guilty and the court convicted him of probation violation and illegal hunting violations which resulted in a sentence of 9 months in prison. As a result of his testimony, an arrest warrant was issued in June of 2009 for the subject’s nephew for the charges of: Negligent Hunting; Hunting/Discharge firearm from Public Highway; Illegal Hunting of White Tail Deer; Hunting without a License; and Criminal Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Officers Stanko and Hilli attempted to locate the subject throughout the summer of 2009. In September of 2009, the EnCon Police officers assisted by the New Milford Police Department learned that the subject was in custody in the state of New York on a 45 day jail sentence for motor vehicle and reckless endangerment charges relating to a high speed pursuit in Warren County New York and was being held at the Warren County Sheriff's Office in Lake George New York.
EnCon Police officers requested that extradition proceedings begin for the subject which was granted by the Superior Court in Bantam. On 9/24/09 the subject was released from the Warren County New York correctional center and taken into custody by Officers Stanko and Hilli. The subject was returned to Connecticut where he was held on a $10,000.00 bond pending trial.
Tranquilized Moose
On 9/9/09 a moose sighting was received via phone regarding a young bull on Route 8 near the water treatment plant in Winsted. Six additional website reports and a few phone calls of a young bull came in over the next two weeks from the towns of Watertown and Middlebury. As reported sightings indicated the moose was apparently near Interstate 84, DEP staff was prepared to immobilize the moose at the earliest opportunity, to prevent the possibility of a moose-vehicle collision. On 9/25 the moose was sighted in an office park 150 yards north of Route 84 in Southbury.
EnCon Police officers arrived on the scene and warned motorists and onlookers of the potential concerns regarding the moose. The EnCon Police Tranquilizer team was fortunate to get the moose in a safe location where it could be immobilized. The DEP Team, which also included staff from Wildlife, and several local police officers carried the bull from the woods to the back of a pick-truck where it was prepared for transport. The five point bull that traveled over 20 miles, was estimated to weigh over 600 pounds based on body measurements and was fitted with a GPS collar and ear tags (#6). The moose was transported to Northern Connecticut where its movements will be tracked on a weekly basis. Coordinated efforts between local police, EnCon police and wildlife staff was critical to the success of these efforts
__________________
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police
Captain Raul Camejo raul.camejo@ct.gov