Keys, Jewelry Found on Roadside, Violation of Probation, DUI, Disorderly Conduct and Failure to Appear in Court through 3-23-14

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

VIOLATION OF PROBATION - On March 11 at approximately 12:10 p.m., Matthew Riley, 23, of Schulman-Veselak Road, East Haddam was a passenger in a vehicle that had been pulled over on Schulman-Veselak Road for a routine traffic violation, when police discovered that there were active warrants out for his arrest. Riley was taken into custody and processed at Troop K for servicing of (2) warrants for Violation of Probation. He was held in lieu of bonds totaling $20,000 and scheduled to appear the next day at Middletown Superior Court.

MOTOR-VEHICLE ROLL-OVER - On March 13 at approximately 9:25 a.m., a 17-year-old driver of Heritage Brook Drive, East Haddam was traveling eastbound along Millington Road, just prior to Hopyard Road, in a 2002 Volvo V70. Police said that the operator lost control of the vehicle and rolled over onto the north side of Millington Road. The driver complained of minor neck and back pain as a result of the accident. No infraction was issued.

FOUND: KEYS AND JEWELRY - On March 16, a box containing assorted keys and jewelry was discovered on the side of West Road in East Haddam. If these items belong to you, please contact Trooper Joshua McElroy at the Connecticut State Police, Troop K at 860-465-5400.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT - On March 18 at approximately 5:41 p.m., Marilyn Turano, 55, of Edgewood Road, Portland was arrested and charged with the above violation as a result of a physical altercation at a Clark Gates Road, Moodus address. Turano was released on a $500 bond and given a court date of 3/25/14 at Middletown Superior Court.

FAILURE TO APPEAR IN COURT - On March 21 at approximately 3:50 p.m., Joseph Bartlett, 20, of Falls Road, Moodus was located by police at his residence and arrested and charged with the above violation, pursuant to an outstanding warrant. Bartlett failed to post a $300 bond and was held, pending a court date of 3/24/14 at New Britain Superior Court.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS - On March 22 at approximately 2:09 a.m., James Broderick, 23, of Town Street, Moodus was arrested and charged with the above violation. Broderick was released on a $500 bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 4/2/14.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT - On March 22 at approximately 10:32 p.m., Michael Briggs, 45, of Birch Road, Moodus was arrested and charged with the above violation. Briggs was released on a $500 bond and given a court date of 3/24/14 at Middletown Superior Court.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS, FAILURE TO DRIVE UPON THE RIGHT AND FAILURE TO OBEY A STOP SIGN - On March 23 at approximately 2:28 a.m., Michael Sadlier, 35, of Clark Gates Road, Moodus was stopped by police in the area of Clark Gates Road and Andrews Road in Moodus. After a subsequent investigation, police determined that Sadlier was operating under the influence and took him into custody. Sadlier was later released on a $500 bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 4/3/14.

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.

If you would be interested in receiving future reports as they are posted, please send a request to TheNeighborhoodWatchReport@gmail.com

24/7 Coverage Restored at CSP Barracks Across Connecticut

The Connecticut State Police, Troop K in Colchester

On Monday, March 24th, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) Commissioner Dora B. Schriro announced the restoration of 24/7 trooper coverage at all State Police barracks across the state. Previously, as part of the recent consolidated dispatch project, some troops were closed after normal business hours.

“After careful review, I have determined that our State Police barracks need to be open and accessible to the public 24/7,” said Commissioner Schriro. “I have directed Eastern District Major Michael Darcy and Western District Major William Podgorski to implement this plan, effective immediately.”

“This plan will afford all Connecticut residents the peace of mind that comes with knowing their Troop is open and immediately available to them,” said Eastern District Major Michael Darcy.

“To ensure the efficiency of this directive, the troopers providing the extra coverage will remain productively engaged in enforcement activities that are typically conducted in the barracks,” said Western District Major William Podgorski.

When consolidated dispatch was implemented, emergency call boxes were installed outside the barracks without 24/7 coverage to allow individuals to call to access a trooper after normal business hours.

Commissioner Schriro continues to conduct a top to bottom review of consolidated dispatch. Last month, the Commissioner suspended any further consolidation until her review is complete. 

When completed, she will be briefing Governor Malloy on her findings and recommendations moving forward.

*The above information was provided by DESPP,  Contact: Scott DeVico.

Town, State Police Departments Investigated for FOI Compliance

As citizens, we value our safety and security, at home and when we're out on the roadways.  We're very fortunate to have other citizens who have chosen to become our town and state police officers, who work hard, long hours to make sure that this is possible, putting their own well-being and lives on the line each time they go out on duty for the public they protect and serve.

It is also important as citizens to have the knowledge of what is going on around us, and to be aware when something isn't right, or if there is some type of danger that we need to try to avoid, or pay particular attention to.

There are also certain times and situations in that we, as regular citizens, can actually help the police, such as solving a burglary or other crime by providing information about someone or something we've seen or heard, or even helping to get lost or stolen items back to their rightful owners.

For that to happen, we need to be informed. That's where the media (news reporters and editors) come in to play, to act as a kind of "liaison" between the police and the general public. Without this connection and teamwork-effort, many more crimes and incidents could or would also take place or remain unsolved.

Visiting the police barracks to pick up information can be very time-consuming, and requires a certain amount of patience and dedication to properly retrieve and sometimes translate the details for these police activity reports.

In some cases where there is not a press release available, the 'investigating officer' of any particular incident or motor-vehicle accident must be contacted personally to confirm certain details. Other officers or Sergeants can be reluctant to get involved, for fear of compromising that particular officer's investigation.

When a report is unavailable, oftentimes  it is suggested that a reporter leave a voice-mail for that particular officer, and if that message is not immediately returned, (or not returned at all) some of those reports and incidents are not able to be included in the general news report, depending on the nature of the details requested.

Support and cooperation (communication) between the police department staff and individual reporters is crucial in order to inform the public correctly and thoroughly.

Recently, editors and reporters from the Middletown Press, The New Haven Register and The Register Citizen embarked on an in-depth investigation into the procedures and protocols of town police departments and state police barracks around Connecticut, (103 of them in all) to test their compliance with "Freedom Of Information" (FOI) laws, and the ease or difficulty of being able to obtain information and reports about arrests and other incidents.

"Five municipal police departments and one state police troop flouted Freedom of Information law in a statewide compliance check this month by refusing to release even basic arrest information upon request."

To read the complete article, visit The Middletown Press at:

http://www.middletownpress.com/general-news/20140319/many-connecticut-police-departments-withhold-public-info-investigation-finds

For a chart with more information and details for specific police departments and FOI compliance (as well as other related links) visit:

http://www.middletownpress.com/sunshineweek

Haddam Police: The "Luck-Of-The-Irish" Does NOT Include Tailgating...

On Sunday, March 16th at approximately 6:00 p.m., State Police received a 911 call from a Haddam resident who was driving his vehicle along Route 154 in Higganum, in the area of Route 81.

According to Haddam Resident Trooper Enrico Milardo, the victim reported that he was being tailgated by a motorist operating a vehicle that subsequently turned out to be a 2001 Mercury Sable, driven by another Haddam resident, Tracy Ann Wood, 51, of Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT.

According to the complainant, Wood had followed him in an erratic manner, swerving all over the roadway and tailgating.

The victim reported that she subsequently followed him into his driveway, exiting her vehicle and ranted at him, regarding his driving abilities, as he entered his driveway.

Wood then reportedly drove away, continuing in an erratic style of driving.

Police said that they located Wood about a half-hour later at her residence, where she was found to be intoxicated and acting in a belligerent manner. She was charged with Breach of Peace, Simple Trespass and Following Too Close with Intent to Harass.

Wood was then transported to the Connecticut State Police barracks, Troop F in Westbrook, processed and released without incident, on a $1,000 bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 3/27/14.

East Hampton Man Arrested for Narcotics and Firearms Violations

After several months of a collaborative investigation by the East Hampton Police Department and the Statewide Narcotics Task Force – North Central Field Office, a search and seizure warrant related to a firearms and illegal drug sales investigation was executed for 93 Main Street, 2nd Floor, East Hampton, CT.

Detectives from the Statewide Narcotics Task Force, Investigators from the East Hampton Police Department and Special Agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security executed the Search and Seizure Warrant. A Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Referral was also made to the Department of Children and Families (DCF), who responded, and is conducting their own independent investigation.

At approximately 8:00 a.m. on March 11, 2014, Erich Hansen, 33, of 93 Main Street, East Hampton was arrested and charged with the following:

* Possession of over a ½ ounce of Marijuana
* Possession of a Controlled Substance
* Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell
* Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell, within 1500 feet of a school
* Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
* Criminal Possession of a Firearm
* Illegal/Unsafe Storage of a Firearm
* Risk of Injury to a Minor (2 counts)

As a result of the investigation, police seized the following evidence:

A loaded 38-caliber revolver, one hundred and five 38-caliber rounds, a digital scanner locked into the East Hampton PD radio frequency, forty-one ‘Aderol’ pills, approximately eight ounces of marijuana, a digital scale and $1,078.00 in U.S. Currency.

Hansen was held on a $150,000.00 bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 3/12/14.

Anyone with information regarding ANY illegal narcotic activity in Connecticut is asked to call the Statewide Narcotics Task Force at 1-800-842-0200 and all calls will remain confidential.

You can also “TEXT A TIP” to Connecticut State Police. Text “TIP711 plus your message” to CRIMES (274637)

Interfering with Police, Evading the Scene of an Accident, DUI, Disorderly Conduct and Violation of Probation through 3-8-14

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

DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND INTERFERING WITH POLICE - On Feb. 23 at approximately 10:49 a.m., Troopers Christopher Briganti and David Southworth were dispatched to East Haddam to investigate a suspicious incident. Subsequently, a 17-year-old juvenile was arrested and charged with the above violations. The minor was issued a summons and assigned a court date of 3/7/14 at the Superior Court, Juvenile Matters in Waterford.

EVADING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT - On Feb. 28 at approximately 12:59 a.m., Howard Duffy III, 38, of Waterhole Road, Colchester was traveling northbound on Route 149 in Moodus, just north of Great Hillwoood Road, operating a 2002 Chevy K2500 pick-up truck. Police said that Duffy's vehicle veered to the right, traveled off the right side of the road and continued northbound for approximately 139 feet, colliding with a CL&P utility pole. The impact reportedly severed the pole at its base, and the truck came to an uncontrolled final rest in the northbound lane of the roadway. Police said that Duffy then left the scene of the crash, but was later located at his residence. Duffy was issued a Misdemeanor Summons for evading the scene of an accident resulting in property damage and failure to drive upon the right.

VIOLATION OF PROBATION - On March 5 at approximately 6:43 a.m., Louis Pelletier, 31, of Ballahack Road, East Haddam was arrested, pursuant to a warrant, and charged with the above violation. Pelletier was held on a $50,000 bond and transported to Middletown Superior Court on the same day.

FAILURE TO APPEAR IN COURT - On March 6 at approximately 9:15 a.m., Steven Mims, 35, of AP Gates Road, East Haddam, turned himself in based on an outstanding warrant and was arrested and charged with the above violation. Mims was released on a $2,500 bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 3/18/14.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS, MAKING AN IMPROPER TURN AND OPERATING A VEHICLE WITH UNSAFE TIRES - On March 7 at approximately 4:01 p.m., Eric Kozak, 47, of Grist Mill Road, Moodus was arrested and charged with the above violations, as a result of a motor-vehicle accident in which he rolled-over in a 1996 Ford pick-up truck, on Route 149 in Moodus in the area of Eli Chapman Road. Kozak originally left the scene of the accident, but was later located by police at his residence. Kozak was released on a $500 bond and given a court date of 3/19/14 at Middletown Superior Court.

FAILURE TO KEEP RIGHT ON A CURVE AND FAILURE TO WEAR A SEATBELT - On March 8 at approximately 1:47 a.m., Kevin Charbonnier, 24, of Parker Road, East Haddam was traveling westbound on Haywardville Road, just west of Alexander Road in East Haddam, operating a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta. While attempting to negotiate a left curve, Charbonnier reportedly went into a counter-clockwise spin and traveled off the left side of the roadway. The vehicle proceeded down a snow-covered embankment, colliding with a tree. Police said that Charbonnier sustained lacerations to his chin as a result of the impact. He was transported to Hartford Hospital by East Haddam Ambulance for evaluation and treatment. Police issued Charbonnier infractions for failure to keep right on a curve and not wearing a seatbelt.

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.

If you would be interested in receiving future reports as they are posted, please send a request to TheNeighborhoodWatchReport@gmail.com