Marine District

Criminal Mischief

On September 6, 2014 a complaint was received from Harkness State Park concerning damage to a wooden entrance / exit gate. A vehicle from the evening previous had been left inside the park and the gates were locked. A registration was obtained and given to officers. Officers Tavares and Williams worked collaboratively on the complaint and were able to find the responsible party who lived in Danielson. The accused admitted to being in the park with friends that night. The vehicle that had been driven into the gate was also not registered. The twenty one year old female suspect was charged with criminal mischief third degree and operating an unregistered motor vehicle. She is scheduled to appear in New London Superior court later in the month.

Charter Boat Violation

On September 14, 2014 officers from the East Sector conducted a joint patrol with the U.S. Coast Guard from Station New London. During the patrol, officers conducted a boarding of a vessel with numerous people actively fishing near a local reef. The F/V Amy Lee had ten people on board and appeared to be a chartered trip. The operator of the vessel initially stated he had some friends with him fishing but it was discovered most of them did not have a marine fishing license. A crew member identified himself as a “mate” and stated he was not fishing. The vessel operator admitted to operating a charter boat for the purpose of fishing. The accused did not have a license to operate a charter boat and also did not have the necessary US Coast Guard Masters license. The Coast Guard is conducting a separate federal investigation into the incident. The accused was charged with charter fishing without a license and given a court date in New London Superior court on October 8th.

Deer Hunting Arrest

On September 16, 2014 officers Ruggiero and O’Brien received a complaint of two people who were illegally hunting on a small parcel of private property in Guilford. The officers conducted an investigation into the property and its boundaries. That evening the officers found two archery deer hunters actively hunting on the piece of property whose owners lived in Alabama. The two hunters did not have written permission from the property owner and the property they claimed to have written permission to hunt on was not signed by the actual owner. Both hunters were charged with deer hunting on private property without signed written consent. They are both scheduled to appear in court at the end of the month.

On September 17, 2014 officer Defelice was assisting an archery deer hunter in finding a wounded deer in Stonington. The hunter had shot a deer and was tracking it onto an adjacent property and requested an officer to assist him. As part of the investigation, the officer obtained the required permits and consent forms. After reviewing area maps and speaking to the specific landowners, it was determined that the hunter was actually hunting on Avalonia land trust property. The hunter had permission to hunt deer from an adjacent property but the land trust does not permit any hunting. The hunter was charged with deer hunting on private property without landowner’s written consent and is scheduled to appear in court in October.

DUI Arrest

On September 19, 2014 officer Tavares was traveling on route 2 in Stonington when he observed a vehicle traveling erratically. A motor vehicle stop was conducted due to the reckless operation of the vehicle which nearly caused an accident. The vehicle registration had been suspended and during the contact the officer believed the driver to be impaired. Field sobriety tests were conducted and the operator was arrested. The 23 year old male from Pawcatuck was taken into custody and processed at the Stonington Police Department. The male was charged with Operating a motor vehicle under the influence, operating with a suspended registration and a moving violation. He is scheduled to appear in court at the end of the month.

Search and Rescue

On Saturday, September 20, 2014 at approximately 1:00 P.M. officers from the East Marine Sector were on patrol in Fishers Island Sound. Officers overheard a mayday call on VHF radio and responded to it. The vessel in distress was located on the south side of Fishers Island (New York) and had six passengers on board. The vessel was taking on water and was being battered against a rock. Once on scene, officers and a Good Samaritan were able to transfer two small children into the patrol boat and assist the vessel operator in keeping the boat from any further damage. The children and stricken vessel were escorted back to Noank, Connecticut. The vessel had minor damage and all parties refused medical attention.

Commercial Fisheries Joint Operation

On September 23 – 24, 2014 officers from the Marine District participated in a National Marine Fisheries Service joint enforcement patrol with Rhode Island and New York Environmental Police. During the patrol, officer focused their efforts on the areas six lobster fishery closure and fishing gear compliance. The area patrolled consisted of Long Island Sound, Fishers Island Sound and Block Island Sound. During the two day operation officers seized numerous lobster traps and are actively investigating several violations which include lobstering during the closed season, fishing gear and license violations.

East District

Boating

On September 14th 2014 Officer Danielson was patrolling Coventry Lake when he noticed a man on a paddleboard NOT wearing the required life jacket. Officer Danielson attempted to call the man to shore to address the issue but the subject swore at him and paddled away. Officer Danielson boarded the Coventry Lake Police Vessel with the Coventry Lake Boating Officer and again approached the male. After explaining to the individual that he would be arrested for interfering, the man complied and gave his information to Officer Danielson at which time he was issued an infraction for Insufficient PFD’s. The subject later apologized for his actions.

On September 15th 2014 Officer Ruggiero completed his investigation into a boat fire that occurred on the CT River on August 14th 2014 where a report was received from the East Haddam Fire Marshall’s Office indicating that the cause of the fire was undetermined. The 24’ vessel was a complete loss and burned to the water line after the occupants had to abandon ship. There were no injuries reported and only property loss was associated with the fire. No charges were filed.

Hunting

On opening day of the 2014 archery season Officer Danielson received a complaint from Captain Camejo of a potentially baited sight in Shenipsit State Forest in the Town of Stafford. Having not been to the area to check on it, he decided to enter the area around that evening to begin his investigation. Upon approaching the area in question Officer Danielson found a subject hunting from an elevated stand. A check of the area around the stand was made and corn was located strewn about the area within 20 feet of the poacher’s location. The subject was arrested for Illegal Deer Hunting and was processed on scene. He was released with a summons to appear in court. The subject was aware that baiting deer while hunting was illegal and was later apologetic to Officer Danielson.
As soon as Officer Danielson finished processing the above party, he headed to another area he knew to be baited in Nathan Hale State Forest in Coventry. A complaint was received in 2013 when a hunter had tried to hunt the area last year but found the area baited with corn. Officer Danielson made several attempts to find the poacher in 2013 but the suspect was never there. Upon arrival to the area that evening Officer Danielson immediately saw that there was a person hunting from an elevated stand. He called the party out of the stand and it was determined to be a 23 year old female. She was apologetic and advised that her fiancé had set her up in the area and that he was hunting in another part of the forest. She was charged with Illegal Deer Hunting and released on a summons to appear in court at a later date.

WEST DISTRICT

Assist to DCF

On September 16th EnCon Police Officer Blackwell was assigned to assist the state Department of Children and Families (DCF) regarding an investigation that involved pythons (snakes) in a home in Ridgefield. DCF had received a report from a “mandated reporter” that two juvenile children who frequently visit the home involved had received medical treatment for skin infections and skin lesions. The “mandated reporter” knew that there were pythons in the home and suspected they were the cause of the children’s infections and lesions.

DCF requested EnCon Police accompany an investigator to identify any snakes located in the home. Officer Blackwell arrived at the home and examined the snakes. They were contained in glass cages in a neat and orderly manner. The snakes were identified as Green Tree pythons and Ball Pythons. Both species are legal to possess in Connecticut. Based upon Officer Blackwell’s inspection there was nothing found to connect the children’s medical conditions to the snakes.

Fatal boating accident on Candlewood Lake

On September 24th EnCon Police Sergeant K. Williams and Officer Curran responded to a report of a body found floating in Candlewood Lake. The officers arrived and determined that a deceased male found in the lake had apparently been working on his sailboat next to a dock and fell headfirst onto the dock. Preliminary investigation showed that the sailboat was untied and an electric trolling motor on the boat was engaged.

Boat fire on Candlewood Lake

On September 27th EnCon Police Officer Johnston and Special Conservation Officer Cammack responded to a report of a boat fire on Candlewood Lake near Sand Island. The boat fire was extinguished by the Brookfield Fire Department and no injuries were reported.

DUI Arrest

On September 19, 2014 officer Tavares was traveling on route 2 in Stonington when he observed a vehicle traveling erratically. A motor vehicle stop was conducted due to the reckless operation of the vehicle which nearly caused an accident. The vehicle registration had been suspended and during the contact the officer believed the driver to be impaired. Field sobriety tests were conducted and the operator was arrested. The 23 year old male from Pawcatuck was taken into custody and processed at the Stonington Police Department. The male was charged with Operating a motor vehicle under the influence, operating with a suspended registration and a moving violation. He is scheduled to appear in court at the end of the month.


The DEEP can pull over cars on public roads?

U betcha they can.....in anyones jurisdiction.

Yes, they are post certified police officers.