Body Discovered in Moodus, Entering a State Park after Sunset, DUI, Larceny from a Motor-Vehicle and Assault through 8-26-14

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

ENTERING A STATE PARK AFTER SUNSET AND DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS - On August 9 at approximately 1:30 a.m., DEEP Environmental Officers on assignment at Hurd State Park observed a vehicle driving into to the main parking lot after park hours (park closes at sunset). When police approached the vehicle they said they detected the odor of alcohol and suspected that the operator had been consuming alcohol. The officers administered a field sobriety test, which the driver did not pass. David Wells, 56, of Palmer-Martin Road, East Haddam was subsequently arrested and charged with the above violations. He was transported to State Police Troop K barracks in Colchester for processing and administration of a breath test for alcohol.  Results of that test showed blood-alcohol levels in excess of allowable limits while operating a motor vehicle. Wells was later released on a $1,000 bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 8/26/14.

LARCENY FROM A MOTOR-VEHICLE - On August 14 at approximately 8:02 p.m., State Police were dispatched to the Nathan Hale-Ray High School on School Drive in Moodus, to investigate a complaint of items stolen from a motor-vehicle. Tools, cash and prescription medication were reportedly stolen. Anyone with possible information about this incident is asked to contact TFC Kristin Coit at the Connecticut State Police, Troop K at 860-537-7500. 

DISORDERLY CONDUCT - On August 17 at approximately 2:00 p.m., Deborah Cassella, 49, of North Moodus Road, Moodus was arrested and charged with the above violation. Cassella was released on a $500 bond and given a court date of 8/18/14 at Middletown Superior Court.

MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT - On August 20 at approximately 5:31 p.m., Andy Barter, 29, of Wood Acres Road, Colchester was traveling northbound on Town Street in the area of Banning Road in East Haddam, operating a 2011 Harley Davidson Night Rod Special. Police said that Barter failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway and lost control of the bike. He was transported to Middlesex Memorial Hospital for evaluation and treatment of minor injuries. Police issued Barter an infraction for Making an Improper Turn. 

BODY DISCOVERED IN MOODUS - On August 21 at approximately 12:18 p.m., an unidentified body was reportedly discovered in the woods along the Moodus River in the area of Grist Mill Road. State Police have confirmed that the victim's death had not been determined to have any criminal aspects, but declined to provide any further information.

LARCENY - On August 22 at approximately 2:54 p.m., East Haddam Police were dispatched to a Hillside Road, East Haddam residence to investigate a report that the dwelling had been entered and some undisclosed items had been removed. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Corporal Karl Karabienikoff at the East Haddam Resident Troopers' Office at 860-873-1226. 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 VS. TREE - On August 25 at approximately 5:39 a.m., Greg Carocari, 50, of Heritage Brook Drive, East Haddam was traveling westbound on Salem Road in East Haddam, just west of Alexander Road, operating a 2006 Chevy Trail-Blazer. Police said that Carocari lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree. No injuries were reported, but the vehicle had to be towed from the scene. Police issued Carocari a written warning for Traveling Too Fast for Conditions.

MOTOR-VEHICLE VS. UTILITY POLE - On August 26 at approximately 4:06 p.m., Madelaine (Joyce) Robichaud, 66, of Mount Parnassus Road, East Haddam was traveling along Town Street (Route 151) just north of Norwich Road (Route 82) in a 2008 Nissan Altima. Police said that Robichaud had fallen asleep at the wheel and collided with a utility pole. An eyewitness was also interviewed at the scene. No injuries were reported, but police issued Robichaud a written warning for Making an Improper Turn. 

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, just send a request to TheNeighborhoodWatchReport@gmail.com

Connecticut State Police Prepare for Labor Day Weekend & School Opening: Enforcement Efforts to Continue as School Bells Ring

Increased Traffic Volume Expected...

Labor Day travel volume is typically heavy and the 2014 Labor Day weekend will be no exception. 

Connecticut State Police remind motorists to expect heavy traffic, exercise caution, and allow extra time to reach their destination. It is estimated that the number of people traveling by automobile for the holiday period will increase in New England compared to last year. 

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 Brian F. Meraviglia said, “As always, our Troopers will enhance safety of all roads and highways of Connecticut. We will be on alert for violators while we make every effort to protect all motorists and their passengers.” 

Enforcement efforts by the State Police will continue into the fall as more than half-a-million children return to school across Connecticut. With many children typically walking or riding the bus to school, State Police remind ALL drivers to be especially vigilant watching for pedestrians during before- and after-school hours. 

The afternoon hours are particularly dangerous for walking children – over the last decade nationally, nearly one-third of child pedestrian fatalities occurred between 3 and 7 p.m. Troopers ask all motorists to slow down in school zones. It is also important – and it’s the law – for all motorists to stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights. 

The fine in Connecticut for passing a standing school bus is $465. 

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!!! 

~Lt. J. Paul Vance

2014 Labor Day Weekend DUI Roving Patrols and Sobriety Checkpoints 

Friday, 08/29/14:  Roving Patrols: Routes 2, 6, 11, 32, 66, 82, 85, 87, 149, 203, 207, 316, 354 in Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, Franklin, Hebron, Marlborough, Salem and Windham.

Saturday, 08/30/14:  Roving Patrols: Routes 2, 6, 11, 32, 66, 82, 85, 87, 149, 203, 207, 316, 354 in Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, Franklin, Hebron, Marlborough, Salem and Windham.

Sunday, 08/31/14:  Roving Patrols: Routes 2, 6, 11, 32, 66, 82, 85, 87, 149, 203, 207, 316, 354 in Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, Franklin, Hebron, Marlborough, Salem and Windham.

Monday, 09/01/14:  Roving Patrols: Routes 2, 6, 11, 32, 66, 82, 85, 87, 149, 203, 207, 316, 354 in Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, Franklin, Hebron, Marlborough, Salem and Windham.

2013 Labor Day Weekend Statistics: 

1,513 speeding violations 

237 seat belt violations 

3,513 other violations (hazardous moving, cell phone usage, etc.) 

50 arrests for driving under the influence 

Motor vehicle accidents that occurred: 

259 total accidents 

 44 with injury 

 3 fatalities

Reckless Endangerment, Breach of Peace, Burglary, Larceny, Assault and Violation of Probation through 8-11-14

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

MISUSE OF A MARKER PLATE, OPERATING WITH A SUSPENDED LICENSE AND OPERATING AN UNREGISTERED AND UNINSURED MOTOR-VEHICLE - On July 16, East Hampton Police issued Michael Robinson, 34, of White Sands Road, Moodus a motor-vehicle summons for the above violations. Robinson was scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 7/30/14.

VIOLATION OF PROBATION, BURGLARY AND LARCENY - On Aug. 5 at approximately 7:00 a.m., Joshua Giddings, 26, of Goose Hill Road, Chester, turned himself in to Troop K based on an active warrant for his arrest for the Violation of Probation. Giddings was held on a $5,000 bond and transported to the Middletown Superior Court. While at court, Giddings was re-arrested for separate charges related to another warrant which included (2) counts of 3rd-Degree Burglary, 5th-Degree Larceny and 6th-Degree Larceny. He was held on an additional $15,000 bond and was turned over to the Middletown Sheriff's Department for arraignment on the same day.

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT AND BREACH OF PEACE - On Aug. 5 at approximately 1:15 p.m., Christopher Higbie, 29, of Neptune Avenue, Moodus turned himself into Troop K, based on an active warrant for his arrest for 2nd-Degree Reckless Endangerment and Breach of Peace. Higbie was released on a court-set $1,000 bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 8/12/14.

MOTOR-VEHICLE VS. ROCK - On Aug. 8 at approximately 3:58 a.m., Wilfredo Ramirez-Delgado, 65, of Ridge Street, Waterbury was traveling eastbound on Route 434, just west of Hopyard Road in East Haddam, driving a 2000 Ford Focus. Police said that Delgado veered to the right and traveled off the side of the road, colliding with a rock. No injuries were reported, but Delgado was issued an infraction for Failure to Drive Upon the Right.

ASSAULT AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT - On Aug. 8 at approximately 9:00 p.m., Robert Wilson, 56, of Knoll Road, Moodus was arrested and charged with 3rd-Degree Assault and Disorderly Conduct. Wilson was released on a $2,500 bond and is scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 9/12/14.

LARCENY - On Aug. 11 at approximately 4:45 p.m., Marshall Allen, 26, of Banner Road, Moodus turned himself in to Troop K and was arrested based on an active warrant and charged with 6th-Degree Larceny. Allen was released on a $1,000 bond and given a court date of 8/26/14 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.

If you would like to receive future reports as they are posted, just send a request to:

TheNeighborhoodWatchReport@Gmail.com

Vandalism, Criminal Mischief, Tractor-Trailer Vs. Stone Wall, DUI, Reckless Driving, Disorderly Conduct and Assault through 7-29-14

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

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS - On July 3 at approximately 5:35 p.m., Richard Barth, 58, of East Haddam-Colchester Turnpike, Moodus was arrested and charged with DUI and failure to drive a reasonable distance apart. Barth was released on a $500 bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 7/16/14.

TWO-CAR COLLISION - On July 12 at approximately 1:12 p.m., Amber Albee, 28, of Exeter Road, Lebanon was traveling northbound on Falls Road (Route 149) in Moodus in a 2014 Mazda 6, as Fred Tuttle, 83, of North Moodus Road, Moodus was pulling out onto Falls Road from the Moodus Post Office parking lot in a 2001 Buick Century. Police said Tuttle struck Albee's vehicle, but that no injuries were reported.

FAILURE TO APPEAR IN COURT - On July 14 at 11:55 a.m., Michael Higbie, Jr., 32, of Neptune Avenue, Moodus turned himself in to Troop K in response to an active warrant for his arrest for the above charge. Higbie was released on a $2,500 bond and given a court date of 7/22/14 at Middletown Superior Court.

VANDALISM AND CRIMINAL MISCHIEF - Sometime during the early morning hours of July 21, someone caused damage to the ATM machine at the Liberty Bank on W.F. Palmer Road in Moodus. 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. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you may leave a voice-mail on the (confidential) Crime Tip Line at 860-873-5013.

TRACTOR-TRAILER VS. STONE WALL - On July 21 at approximately 2:51 p.m., a 2013 International tractor-trailer was traveling eastbound on Route 149, attempting to make a right turn onto Plains Road when it impacted a stone wall along the side of the road. The driver of the truck, Carl Booker, 54, of Patrick Henry Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada was issued a written warning for Making an Improper Turn. No injuries were reported.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS AND RECKLESS DRIVING - On July 24 at approximately 8:35 a.m., Devan Joy, 22, of Kelseytown Road, Clinton was traveling northbound on Route 151 near the intersection with Route 82 in East Haddam, driving a 2000 Saab 93. Police said that as Joy was attempting to turn left onto Route 82, the vehicle traveled over the traffic island dividing east and westbound traffic on Route 82, and struck two state traffic control signs, up-rooting them and tearing the front bumper off of the vehicle. Joy was arrested and charged with the above violations and held on a $500 bond. Police turned Joy over to the Willimantic Police Department due to a prior outstanding warrant for an arrest. Joy was scheduled to appear at Norwich Superior Court on 8/5/14.

TWO-CAR COLLISION - On July 25 at approximately 1:01 p.m., East Haddam Police were dispatched to respond to an accident on Leesville Road in Moodus. Molly Beer, 31, of Colchester Avenue, East Hampton was traveling northbound on Leesville Road, operating a 2002 Chrysler Town & Country. Robert Lawrence, 70, of W.F. Palmer Road, Moodus, driving a 2004 Toyota Rav-4, was stopped on Moodus-Leesville Road, and police said that he struck Beer's vehicle as he subsequently attempted to turn right onto Leesville Road. Police issued Lawrence a written warning for Unsafe Start of a Stopped Motor-Vehicle. No injuries were reported.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND ASSAULT - On July 26 at approximately 4:30 a.m., Rebecca Lennon, 45, of Bashan Road, East Haddam was arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct and 2nd-Degree Assault. Lennon was released on a $1,000 bond and given a court date of 7/28/14 at Middletown Superior Court.

BREACH OF PEACE AND CRIMINAL MISCHIEF - On July 28 at 8:35 p.m., Joshua Martin, 21, of Horse Pond Road, Salem turned himself in based on an outstanding warrant for his arrest for the above violations. Martin was released on a Written Promise To Appear and given a court date of 8/19/14 at Middletown Superior Court. 

LARCENY - On July 29 at approximately 10:20 a.m., Marshall Allen, 26, of Banner Road, Moodus turned himself in based on an active warrant for 3rd-Degree and 6th-Degree Larceny. Allen was released on a $5,000 bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 8/12/14.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT - On July 29, Steven Mims, 36, of AP Gates Road, East Haddam was arrested and charged with the above violation. Mims was released on a $1,000 bond and given a court date of 7/30/14 at Middletown Superior Court.

BURGLARY, VANDALISM AND CRIMINAL MISCHIEF - At an unknown date prior to July 29, unknown person(s) broke into a home on Clark Hill Road and turned the water on, flooding the entire house. Nothing appeared to be missing or stolen, according to police. Anyone with possible information may contact Trooper Christopher Briganti at the Connecticut State Police, Troop K in Colchester at 860-465-5400.

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.