Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Carrying a Firearm While Under the Influence, Stolen Truck, Criminal Impersonation, Burglary, Larceny, Drinking While Driving, Disorderly Conduct and Violation of a Protective Order through 7-10-14


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 June 14 at approximately 10:41 p.m., Shane McGrath, 40, of Rachael Drive, East Hampton was stopped at a DUI spot-check and subsequently arrested and charged with the above violation. McGrath was released on a $500 bond and given a court date of 7/2/14 at Middletown Superior Court.

CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION, OPERATING AN UNREGISTERED MOTOR-VEHICLE, OPERATING UNDER SUSPENSION, MISUSE OF PLATES AND OPERATING WITHOUT INSURANCE - On June 20 at approximately 9:48 p.m., James Davis, 57, of Weiss Road, Haddam was pulled over by police for a routine traffic stop and arrested and charged with the above violations. Police said that there was also an active warrant out for his arrest through Middletown Police for 2nd-Degree Failure to Appear in Court. Davis was later released on a $500 bond and scheduled to appear at Norwich Superior Court on 7/3/14.

BURGLARY AND LARCENY OF COPPER PIPING - On June 23 at 10:07 a.m., East Haddam Police report that copper piping was removed from a vacant dwelling located on Sipple's Hill in Moodus. Anyone who may have any information that could help police with this investigation is asked to contact Corporal Karl Karabeinikoff at the East Haddam Resident Troopers' Office at 860-873-1226. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you may leave a voice-message on the (confidential) Crime Tip Line at 860-873-5013.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT - On June 23 at approximately 7:31 p.m, State Police responded to a disturbance between several family members that was reported on Falls Road in Moodus. Joshua Pollard, 25, of Falls Road, Moodus was subsequently arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct. Pollard was later released on a $500 bond and given a court date of 6/24/14 at Middletown Superior Court.

VIOLATION OF CONDITIONS OF RELEASE - On June 23 at approximately 9:29 p.m., State Police returned to the scene of a domestic disturbance that had occurred earlier in the evening on Falls Road in Moodus. Joshua Pollard, 25, of Falls Road, Moodus had returned to the home, was taken into custody and charged with 2nd-Degree Violation of Conditions of Release. He was held on a $5,000 bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 6/24/14.

LARCENY OF COPPER PIPING - Sometime between Wednesday, June 18 and Tuesday, June 24, copper piping was stolen from a Powerhouse Road, East Haddam residence. Police said that the house is listed for sale, and various contractors have been in and out of the dwelling. The case is under investigation, and anyone who may have any information is asked to contact Trooper Stacy Clark at the Connecticut State Police, Troop K in Colchester at 860-465-5400, Ext.# 4000.

POSTAL VEHICLE VS. TRUCK - On June 25 at approximately 11:35 a.m., Stephen Moore, 62, of Bartkiewicz Road, Chester was traveling northbound on Landing Hill Road in East Haddam, operating a 2003 Chevy Silverado pick-up truck, owned by the Goodspeed Opera House. Police said that Barbara Wade, 59, of Gristmill Road, Moodus was driving a 1988 Chevy LLV postal vehicle, and had been traveling westbound on Porges Road when she struck the pick-up truck. Wade was issued a written warning for Failure to Grant the Right-of-Way at an Intersection. No injuries were reported.

FAILURE TO GRANT THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AT AN INTERSECTION - On June 29 at approximately 4:43 p.m., a 16-year-old driver of Ridge Road, East Haddam was traveling southbound on Orchard Road in East Haddam, operating a 2008 Ford Taurus. Lorelei Richey, 31, of Silas Deane Highway, Rocky Hill was traveling eastbound on Creek Row in a 2002 Chevy Blazer, and was in process of performing a turning manuever. Police said that Richey failed to grant the right of way to the other driver, causing the juvenile driver to strike the rear left quarter-panel of Richey's vehicle. No injuries were reported, but police issued Richey an infraction for the above charge.

MOTOR-VEHICLE INVOLVED IN PRIOR ACCIDENT STRUCK BY PASSING MOTORIST - On June 29 at approximately 5:21 p.m., a 2008 Ford Taurus that had not yet been removed from the scene of an earlier accident was struck a second time by a passing vehicle. Aaron Moroch, 30, of Meadow Drive, Colchester was traveling southbound on Orchard Road in East Haddam, just north of Creek Row, operating a 2001 Ford SE. Police said that Moroch struck the rear end of the vehicle that was unoccupied and parked on the side of the road. No injuries were reported.

CARRYING A LOADED FIREARM WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A LIQUOR OR DRUG - On July 2 at approximately 9:38 p.m., Colchester Police initiated a motor-vehicle stop on Lake Hayward Road in Colchester, near the East Haddam town line. Police said that Scott Olearnick, 23, of Shanaghan Road, East Haddam had consumed alcohol prior to operating his vehicle. Although Olearnick had initially passed the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, he was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun and an open container of beer within the driver's compartment. Olearnick was placed under arrest and transported to the barracks at Troop K in Colchester without incident. Police charged Olearnick with Carrying a Loaded Firearm while Under the Influence of a Liquor or Drug, Drinking While Driving, Failure to Have Tail Lamps Illuminated and Operating a Motor-Vehicle without Fenders or without Wheel Protectors. The handgun was seized and Olearnick's Connecticut Pistol Permit was revoked and sent back to the Special Licensing & Firearms Unit. Olearnick was released on a $1,000 bond and scheduled to appear at Norwich Superior Court on 7/17/14.

STOLEN MOTOR-VEHICLE - On July 3 at approximately 6:16 p.m., State Police responded to a Falls Road, Moodus address for the report of a stolen 2007 Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck, silver in color, bearing CT registration plate 63CW68. The truck was described as having (3) magnetic signs that read "www.easternrentaltent.com" with telephone numbers listed on them. The vehicle was reportedly taken from the premises sometime between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Anyone with possible information on this incident is asked to contact Trooper Philip Soucy at the Connecticut State Police, Troop K in Colchester at 860-465-5455, Ext.# 4015.

CRIMINAL TRESPASS - On July 7 at approximately 12:14 p.m., East Haddam Police were called to a Mount Parnassus Road, East Haddam address, near the intersection of Ballahack Road #1. The homeowner reported that unknown person(s) entered her shed between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 12 noon. The incident is under investigation, and anyone with possible information is asked to contact Corporal Karl Karabeinikoff at the East Haddam Resident Troopers' Office at 860-873-1226. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you may leave a voice-message on the (confidential) Crime Tip Line at 860-873-5013.

VIOLATION OF A PROTECTIVE ORDER - On July 7 at approximately 10:24 p.m., Eugene Harding, 40, of Leesville Road, Moodus was arrested and charged with the above violation. Harding was released on a $500 bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 7/8/14.

VIOLATION OF PROBATION - On July 10 at approximately 8:30 a.m., Elvin Ortiz, 24, of Henry Street, Hartford was arrested and charged with the above violation. Ortiz was held on a $20,000 bond and presented at Middletown Superior Court on the same day.

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 written request to TheNeighborhoodWatchReport@gmail.com


Photo: Police Lights by Sara Eaton Martin

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

CSP Warning: Fireworks in Connecticut are Illegal for Personal or Home Use


As the JULY 4th 2014 holiday approaches, the Connecticut State Police and the State Fire Marshal want to remind everyone that fireworks are illegal in the State of Connecticut.
The public has been overwhelmed with advertisements, signs, and sales pitches of so-called fireworks. It is important to understand that the only legal “fireworks” items in Connecticut are sparklers and fountains.
July 4th always raises questions about what is legal as far as fireworks and sparklers are concerned.  Many questions are received by State Troopers, Fire Marshals, Resident Troopers, and local Police statewide regarding fireworks.  The questions reveal that many people are confused as to which “fireworks” can be used by citizens in our state.
To avoid confusion and caution our citizens, Connecticut Law 29-357 is very specific:
Only sparklers and fountains of not more than one hundred grams of pyrotechnic mixture per item, which are non-explosive and non-aerial, are legal in Connecticut.  
Sparklers and fountains can only be legally used by persons age 16 or older.
Novelty items such as party poppers, snakes, smoke devices and anything that emits a flame are not legal for private use in Connecticut. In addition to being illegal, exploding devices are dangerous and have caused serious injury in the past.
A number of house fires and grass fires have been attributed to fireworks.  These types of incidents have the potential for property damage and they endanger human life. If a fire or explosion is made intentionally and causes damage or destruction, it could be designated as an arson, a class C felony.
The safest way to enjoy this year’s Independence Day celebration is to attend a public display conducted at a state approved site by Connecticut licensed pyrotechnicians.

~Lt. J. Paul Vance

...If you witness anyone in your neighborhood using illegal fireworks, contact the Connecticut State Police, Troop K at 860-465-5400.