Woman's Body Discovered at the Moodus Reservoir

Environmental Conservation Officers (EnCon) from the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) and Connecticut State Police from Troop K in Colchester were dispatched to the upper Moodus Reservoir in East Haddam on Thursday afternoon, after receiving a report of a body in the water.

Police and other emergency personnel responded to the area of the East Haddam-Colchester Turnpike and Beebe Road.

A resident who had been walking along the shoreline had reportedly seen an empty kayak in the water, and had subsequently discovered the body in the area after attempting to retrieve the boat.

After a thorough investigation, EnCon Police have determined that the woman who had been found in the lake, Louise Coulombe, 55, of Westchester Hills, Colchester, CT had been the victim of an untimely death.

Breach of Peace, Intimidation Based on Bigotry or Bias, Conspiracy, Vandalism, Criminal Mischief, Disorderly Conduct, Assault and MVA's through 4-10-15

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

TRAVELING TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS - On March 29 at approximately 1:44 a.m., Brandon Simina, 20, of AP Gates Road, East Haddam was traveling northbound on Tater Hill Road in the area of Oriole Road in East Haddam, driving a 2001 Volvo S-40. Police said that Simina veered to the right and collided with a section of metal-beam guardrails. No injuries were reported, but police issued Simina an infraction for Traveling Too Fast for Conditions.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT - On March 31 at approximately 5:18 a.m., State Police were dispatched to a residence on Woodmont Circle in East Haddam, to investigate a report of an active dispute between a male and female. Marc Grandmaison, 42, of Woodmont Circle, East Haddam was subsequently arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct. Grandmaison was released on a $500 bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 3/31/15.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT - On March 31 at approximately 10:16 p.m., Joshua Lonero, 25, of Petticoat Lane, East Haddam turned himself in to Troop K based on an active warrant for his arrest. Lonero was released on a court-set Written Promise to Appear and given a court date of 4/1/15 at Middletown Superior Court.

TWO-VEHICLE COLLISION - On April 1 at approximately 7:35 a.m., Edward Currie, Jr., 64, of Mount Parnassus Road, East Haddam was traveling westbound on Route 82 in the area of the East Haddam swing-bridge, driving a 2000 Ford F-250. Daniel Sharpe, 31, of Somers Road, Ellington was traveling eastbound, operating a 2012 Dodge Ram. Police said that as the two vehicles were passing each other, they made contact and impacted their driver's side mirrors. No injuries were reported.

BREACH OF PEACE, ASSAULT, INTIMIDATION AND CONSPIRACY - On April 1 at approximately 1:00 p.m., John Felciano, 49, of Banner Road, Moodus was arrested and charged with 2nd-Degree Breach of Peace, Conspiracy to Commit 2nd-Degree Breach of Peace, 3rd-Degree Assault, Conspiracy to Commit 3rd-Degree Assault, 2nd-Degree Intimidation Based on Bigotry or Bias and Conspiracy to Commit 2nd-Degree Intimidation Based on Bigotry or Bias. Felciano was later released on a $5,000 bond and scheduled to appear at Norwich Superior Court on 4/12/15.

MOTOR-VEHICLE VS. TREE - On April 1 at approximately 4:00 p.m., Madeleine Knight-Holly, 25, of Oriole Road, East Haddam was traveling northbound on Cherry Swamp Road in Moodus, operating a 2002 Honda Civic. Police said she had traveled off the right side of the roadway, striking a tree. Knight-Holly was issued an infraction for making an improper turn. No injuries were reported.

VANDALISM AND CRIMINAL MISCHIEF - On April 4 at approximately 6:07 p.m., State Police received a complaint from a Honey Hill Road, East Haddam resident, reporting that several exterior windows of their home had been damaged. Anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or have possible information about this incident is asked to contact the Connecticut State Police, Troop K in Colchester at 860-537-7500.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND ASSAULT - On April 5 at approximately 8:24 p.m., Arthur Lazzari, 45, of Portage Trail, East Hampton and Robert Butler, 34, of Banner Road, Moodus were both arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct and 3rd-Degree Assault. State Police had been dispatched to a Banner Road address to investigate an active disturbance. Both Lazzari and Butler were later released on $500 bonds each, and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 4/6/15.

MOTOR-VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD - On April 10 at approximately 6:34 a.m., a 17-year-old driver of West Road, Colchester was traveling southbound on Millington Road in the area of Early Road in East Haddam, driving a 2003 Dodge Ram. Police said that the driver lost control of the truck on some sand in the roadway while trying to negotiate a curve, coming to a final rest in a stream-ditch. No injuries were reported, but police issued the driver a verbal warning for Traveling Too Fast for Conditions.

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.

UDrive, UText, UPay: Distracted Driving Campaign

During the month of April, the Connecticut State Police will participate in the national distracted driving enforcement campaign known as UDrive. UText. UPay.  This high-profile initiative will target motorists who are using hand-held cell phones and mobile devices - talking or sending text messages - while driving.

While using a hand- held cell phone or texting while driving remains illegal in Connecticut, the practice continues to be widespread.

In order to decrease highway fatalities and motor vehicle accidents, state police will lead a sustained effort over the course of the month that will focus on the dangerous behavior of distracted driving, using cell phones and mobile devices while driving.

“A driver taking his or her attention off the road to attend to a phone call or a text is an accident waiting to happen and is a true hazard. When behind the wheel, we implore all drivers to make safety their first priority – safety for themselves, their passengers and other drivers.  Keeping eyes and concentration on the road and not on a screen are essential to maintaining danger-free highways in Connecticut,” said Colonel Brian Meraviglia, Commanding Officer of the Connecticut State Police.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that each year thousands of people are killed in distracted driving related crashes and nearly a half million people are injured.

The campaign is being carried out during the month of April, which is National Distracted Driving Month, and is modeled after similar successful high visibility enforcement campaigns such as Click It or Ticket and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

Violating Connecticut’s cell phone and texting law will cost violators between $150 and $500. Texting and using a cell phone while driving are also considered moving violations, which can be reported to insurance companies. This can result in higher premiums for violators.

~Sgt. Shane Hassett

Connecticut State Police

Public Information Office