Labor Day Weekend: Increased Traffic Volume Expected

From the desk of Lt. J. Paul Vance:

Connecticut State Troopers will be concentrating on enforcement of drunken driving, speeding, safety belt, and distracted driving laws during the entire Labor Day Weekend.

Troopers will utilize both traditional and nontraditional patrol vehicles on patrol searching for reckless and intoxicated drivers.  Troopers will man sobriety checkpoints and targeted patrols to intercept drunk drivers.

State Police Colonel Danny R. Stebbins said, “Our Troopers will do their part to enhance the safety of all on the roads and highways of Connecticut.”

The State Police ask that all citizens be our eyes and ears all across the state over the Labor Day holiday.

If you see a suspected drunk driver, call 911, as that is a true emergency!!!

Click Here for State Police DUI Spot Checks, Roving Patrols and Targeted Enforcement

*2012 Labor Day Weekend Statistics:

  281 Accidents:   59 with injury, 1 fatality

  59 DUI Arrests

  251 Seatbelt Violations

  2,151 Speeding Tickets

  3,929 Other Violations (hazardous movement, cell phone usage, etc.)

*9-3-13 Update:  Statistics for the 2013 Labor Day Weekend enforcement efforts:

For the purposes of reporting the statistics for this holiday weekend, the “weekend” began on Friday, 08/30/2013, at 12:01 a.m. and ran through Monday, 9/02/2013, at 11:59 p.m.

   259 Accidents:  44 with injury, 3 fatalities

   50 DUI Arrests

   237 Seatbelt Violations

   1,513 Speeding Tickets

   3,513 Other Violations (hazardous movement, cell phone usage, etc.)

   

Narcotics Arrest Results in Officer Being Injured in Middletown

According to the Middletown Press:   (by Alex Gecan)

An East Haddam man is facing drug and other charges after police found a syringe on him.

Police arrested Joshua Martin, 20, of Norwich Salem Road in East Haddam after searching him on Main Street Wednesday.

An officer saw Martin making “furtive movements” in the back of a car stopped on the 500 block of Main Street, police said. In one pocket, an officer found “two wax bags indicative of narcotics packaging. Contained inside the bags there was a small amount of an off-white residue.”

The officer asked Martin if had any needles on him, and Martin said he did not, but when patting down another pocket, the officer “could feel a long cylindrical object resembling that of a hypodermic needle used to administer intravenous narcotics,” police said.

*For the complete story:  http://www.middletownpress.com/general-news/20130830/east-haddam-man-arrested-when-middletown-officer-gets-stuck-with-needle-during-search

Photo:  "Lock-Up" by Carrie Jacobson as seen on Patch.com

Suspicious Incident, Tools Found in Roadway, Motor-Vehicle Accidents, Vandalism, Criminal Mishchief, Burglary, Larceny and Failure to Appear in Court through 8-16-13

The East Haddam Police and the Connecticut State Police, Troop K in Colchester report the following incidents:

VANDALISM AND CRIMINAL MISCHIEF - On August 7, East Haddam Police were dispatched to a Mott Lane address, to investigate a complaint of damage to a resident's property. An unknown vehicle had driven off of the roadway at a high rate of speed, displacing rocks along the property's edge and causing damage to the lawn. The incident is under investigation.

FAILURE TO APPEAR IN COURT - On August 8, Joshua Giddings, 25, of Town Street, Moodus was arrested pursuant to two warrants and charged with (2) counts of failure to appear, based on several previous motor-vehicle violations. Giddings was released on bonds set at $2,000 and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 8/20/13.

SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT - On August 9, a resident of Orchard Road, East Haddam reported that her dwelling had been entered. The matter is under investigation, and anyone with possible information is asked to contact Corporal Karl Karabienikoff at the East Haddam Resident Troopers' Office at 860-873-1226 or the Connecticut State Police, Troop K at 860-537-7500. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you may leave a voice-mail on the (confidential) Crime Tip Line at 860-873-5013.

MOTOR-VEHICLE ACCIDENT - On August 9 at approximately 9:03 a.m., Patrick Quinn, 82, of Ed Williams Road, East Haddam, operating a 2008 Dodge Dakota, and Sarah Smith, 22, of Lower Lane, Berlin, operating a 2012 Nissan Sentra, were involved in a two-car accident at the intersection of Ed Williams Road and Sarah Baker Road in East Haddam. No injuries were reported, and only minor damage was caused to both vehicles as a result of the impact.

BURGLARY, LARCENY AND CRIMINAL MISCHIEF - On August 9, several burglary investigations by State Police Troopers Joseph Marsh, Kristin Coit and Carson Konow led to the arrest of Sean Anderson, 26, of West Road, Colchester. Anderson was arrested pursuant to (3) separate warrants and charged with (3) counts of 3rd-degree burglary, (3) counts of 3rd-degree larceny and 2nd-degree criminal mischief. The burglaries had taken place in the towns of East Haddam, Salem and Bolton. Anderson was held in lieu of bonds totaling $50,000 and appeared at Norwich Superior Court on the same day to address all of the above charges.

MOTOR-VEHICLE ACCIDENT - On August 13 at approximately 9:14 p.m., Craig Parker, 46, of Ridge Road, East Haddam was stopped at the intersection of Johnsonville Road and Route 151 in East Haddam, in a 2010 Honda Accord. Frank Mott, 48, of East Haddam-Colchester Turnpike, East Haddam was traveling southbound on Route 151 in a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee, when the vehicles collided. No injuries were reported, and the accident remains under investigation.

TOOLS DISCOVERED IN ROADWAY - On Wednesday evening, August 14, East Haddam Police report that several tools were found on the road in the area of Mott Lane and Eli Chapman Road in Moodus. It's believed that they may have fallen off of the owner's vehicle. If you are the owner of these tools, please contact Officer Jeff Rhoades at 860-891-8200 to identify and claim them.

MOTOR-VEHICLE ACCIDENT - On August 15 at approximately 3:47 p.m., Ronald Poindexter, 66, of Town Street, East Haddam was traveling northbound on Falls Road (Route 149) in Moodus, in a 2000 Toyota Echo. Diane Russo, 63, of Cricket Court, Old Saybrook was stopped at the stop sign at the intersection of Falls Road and North Moodus Road, operating a 2010 Buick LaCrosse. Police reported that as  Russo attempted to proceed onto Falls Road, the vehicles collided. No injuries were reported.

LARCENY - On August 16, Michelle Stankowski, 20, of Falls Road, Moodus was arrested, pursuant to a warrant and charged with 6th-degree larceny. Stankowski was released on a $500 bond given a court date of 8/27/13 at Middletown Superior Court.

An arrest or infraction does not indicate a conviction, and all individuals listed in these reports are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Stolen Kayak, Criminal Mischief, Trespassing, Burglary, Larceny, DUI and Failure to Appear in Court through 8-5-13

*Partial front view of the "Lifetime'" kayak that was recently stolen in East Haddam.

The East Haddam Police and the Connecticut State Police, Troop K in Colchester report the following incidents:

STOLEN KAYAK - On July 27, police received a complaint of a kayak that was taken from Shore Road, East Haddam in the area of the upper Moodus Reservoir boat launch. The kayak was reported to have disappeared sometime between Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 27. The "Lifetime" brand kayak has been described as being red in color, and approximately six to eight feet long. Anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or might have information that could help police with this investigation is asked to contact Trooper Kristin Coit at the Connecticut State Police, Troop K at 860-537-7500. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you may leave a voice-mail on the (confidential) Crime Tip Line at 860-873-5013.

BURGLARY AND LARCENY - On July 27, State Police responded to a West Road, East Haddam residence to investigate a complaint of stolen jewelry. The theft had reportedly occurred while the homeowner was away on vacation. Anyone with possible information is asked to contact Trooper Kristin Coit at the Connecticut State Police, Troop K at 860-537-7500. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you may leave a voice-mail on the (confidential) Crime Tip Line at 860-873-5013.

BURGLARY - On July 28, Michelle Stankowski, 20, of Falls Road, Moodus was arrested, pursuant to a warrant, and charged with 3rd-degree burglary. Stankowski was released on a $500 bond and given a court date of 8/13/13 at Middletown Superior Court.

BURGLARY AND LARCENY - On July 29, East Haddam police received a complaint of a stolen HP laptop computer from a Knoll Road, Moodus residence. The incident is under investigation, and anyone with possible information is asked to contact Corporal Karl Karabienikoff at the East Haddam Resident Troopers' Office, at 860-873-1226 or the Connecticut State Police, Troop K at 860-537-7500. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you may leave a voice-mail on the (confidential) Crime Tip Line at 860-873-5013.

BURGLARY, LARCENY, CRIMINAL TRESPASS AND CRIMINAL MISCHIEF - On July 29, Damon Jansky, 20, of Bruce Circle, Colchester was arrested, pursuant to two separate warrants. Jansky was charged with (2) counts of 3rd-degree burglary, 1st-degree larceny, 1st-degree criminal trespass and 3rd-degree criminal mischief. He was held on bonds in the amount of $1,000 and presented at Middletown Superior Court on the same day for arraignment.

MOTOR-VEHICLE ROLLOVER - On July 31 at approximately 2:02 a.m., Brian Aucoin, 25, of Stocking Lot Road, East Haddam was traveling southbound on Town Street, in the area of Matthews Drive in East Haddam, operating a 1992 Ford LGT pick-up truck. According to police, Aucoin veered to the left, crossed over the center line of the roadway into the northbound lane of travel, continued off the roadway, entered a ditch and rolled over. Police said that Aucoin was not wearing a seat-belt at the time of the accident, and had been ejected from the vehicle. He was reportedly unconscious at the scene, and was transported by East Haddam Ambulance to Hartford Hospital for evaluation and treatment of incapacitating injuries. The accident remains under investigation.

ROAD HAZARD - On July 31 at approximately 12:42 p.m., Stacie Tanguay, 37, of Apple Lane, East Haddam was traveling along Route 82 in East Haddam in a 2011 Chevy Cruze. As Tanguay was crossing the East Haddam swing bridge, she struck a metal pipe that was wedged in and protruding up through the metal-framed surface of the bridge, causing damage to the undercarriage of her vehicle. Police arrived and were able to remove the metal pipe, reported to be part of an exhaust pipe from another vehicle. No injuries were reported.

FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN INFRACTION - On August 1, Alexis Gardiner-Miller, 19, of Town Street, Moodus was arrested, pursuant to a warrant and charged with the above violation. Gardiner-Miller was released on a $500 bond and scheduled to appear at Norwich Superior Court on 8/8/13.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS - On August 1, East Hampton police observed a driver operating their vehicle erratically. Joseph Urbano III, 23, of Elaine Drive, Moodus was arrested and charged with DUI and failure to drive upon the right. Urbano was scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 8/4/13.

MOTORCYCLE VS MOTOR-VEHICLE - On August 3 at approximately 8:42 p.m., Gary Pelletier, 48, of Hemlock Road, Bridgewater was traveling westbound on Route 82 in East Haddam in the area of the East Haddam swing bridge, driving a 2006 Land Rover (Range Rover). Alan Firby, 52, of Strong Street, Manchester was traveling eastbound on Route 82, operating a 2006 Harley-Davidson Road King. Firby lost control of his bike as he was coming around a corner, crossed over the center double-yellow line in the road and struck the front passenger-side of Pelletier's vehicle. Firby was issued an infraction for failure to drive upon the right. No injuries were reported.

FAILURE TO APPEAR IN COURT - On August 5, Christopher Winkler, 45, of Warner Road, East Haddam was arrested, pursuant to a warrant and charged with 2nd-degree failure to appear. Winkler was held on a $1,000 bond and given a court date of 8/21/13 at Middletown Superior Court.

BURGLARY AND LARCENY - On August 5, Lauren Manuel, 19, of Forest Way, Colchester was arrested, pursuant to a warrant, and charged with 3rd-degree burglary and 1st-degree larceny. Manuel was held on a $50,000 bond and presented to Middletown Superior Court on 8/6/13.

An arrest or infraction does not indicate a conviction, and all individuals listed in these reports are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.