CT State EnCon Police
East District Highlights
January 2017

Hunter Harassment Warrant Arrest
On the morning of October 12, 2016, Officers Blackwell and J. Williams responded to the Connecticut River / Lords Cove area of Lyme for a complaint of a 57 year old male and his 11 year old son being harassed by another hunter in a vessel while they were waterfowl hunting. Officer Williams interviewed the victim, who stated he and his son had just set up their hunt from a vessel with decoys near an unoccupied, permanent blind when they were approached by a man in a powerboat who told them they were on private water and were trespassing. This subject then stated (including in a sworn statement) that he would not leave so the victims could not hunt; the subject then picked up a shotgun from within the vessel and the victims felt threatened, stating they would call 911. The subject left the area as did the victims. The male subject had previously been warned for a similar situation by EnCon Police in 2010. Following a detailed investigation, including assistance from DEEP’s Land Management staff, an arrest warrant was sought and signed for the male for Breach of Peace and Interfering with the lawful taking of wildlife. He was arrested on January 8, 2017 at State Police Montville barracks, the case continues in New London Superior Court.
Nuisance Wildlife
On January 18, 2017, EnCon Police Officer Wojcik and Sergeant Kane responded to a group home in Colchester, where one client and two workers had entered a greenhouse and sustained cuts and scratches by a large, aggressive bobcat. A Colchester Constable shot and killed the threatening animal prior to EnCon Police arrival. Officer Wojcik transported the bobcat to the State Health Lab where it later tested positive for rabies. All affected parties were notified and, along with Officer Wojcik, were being treated for rabies exposure.
Assault
On the evening of January 21st Officers Arsenault and Wojcik responded to Bluff Point State Park, Groton, for an assault of a 22 year old male. The victim was a passenger in a vehicle driven by a female with three other males in the back seat, and when they pulled into the Bluff Point parking lot the victim was struck in the face, pulled from the vehicle, and beaten up. The victim broke free at which time the suspect and vehicle left. The victim was medically treated and released, but the suspect could not be immediately located. Later the following morning, Groton City Police located the suspect, contacted EnCon Police who then had the victim make a positive identification. The suspect, a 22 year old male from Groton, was arrested for Assault 2nd and held on a $50,000 bond with a next day arraignment in New London court. The case is ongoing.

Park and Forest Enforcement
In December 2016, it was determined that a local male had been contracted to log private property in Somers adjacent to Shenipsit State Forest and had illegally taken six (6) trees. In coordination with DEEP Forestry and Park Manager Sauve, Officer Landry issued a written warning to the male subject after he signed a Performance Outline of Remedial Actions, whereby he avoids further legal action by returning the logs taken to the Portland sawmill for DEEP use, and provides materials and repairs to the disturbed state forest land and for the road he used to illegally cut the trees.
On January 16th, Officer Landry was patrolling Meshomasic State Forest in Glastonbury when she passed a vehicle with four individuals on the forest road and smelled what appeared to be marijuana. A check of the vehicle and its occupants found them to be in possession of marijuana and smoking paraphernalia. Citations for the violations were issued.
On January 22nd, State Police received a call of a vehicle off the roadway at Gay City State Park, Hebron. Sergeant Chris Dwyer and CSP Trooper Simao responded and located the rolled vehicle off the road into the woods. A lone female operator was found inside unconscious, not breathing, and bleeding from the mouth. The vehicle was still in gear and the doors were locked. A rear window was broken to gain access, and the victim was found still unconscious but choking. Both officers removed the victim and carried her to a clearing where her head was repositioned and breathing assessed. The victim began shallow breathing and had a weak pulse; she also had signs of a seizure. Both officers assisted the victim to maintain her breathing prior to EMS arrival, and helped stabilize her prior to transport to the Marlborough Medical Clinic.

CT State EnCon Police
Marine District Highlights
January 2017

Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement
On January 16th Officer’s Tefft, Bruno and Blackwell responded to Bluff Point State Park for a report of several individuals operating dirt bikes in the area. Officer Tefft received information that the responsible individuals were accessing Bluff Point from a nearby bike path. Officer Tefft was advised by the complainant that three individuals on dirt bikes had entered the bike path from a nearby street. Officer Tefft took a position nearby on the bike path and saw three individuals on dirt bikes approaching him. Officer Tefft signaled the individuals to stop, however, upon visual contact, they turned around and sped off in the other direction. Officer Tefft was then advised by EnCon Dispatch that the complainant reported seeing the three individuals in the vicinity of Atlanta Court. Officer Tefft made his way to Atlanta court and saw a vehicle a with dirt bike carrier attached to the hitch. Officer Tefft further noticed numerous dirt bike tracks in the grass and mud around the ground of said vehicle leading to a shed at a private residence. Officer Tefft made contact with the occupant of the vehicle and also with several other individuals who had exited the shed, one of which he recognized as the initial operator of the dirt bike he had encountered on the bike path. At this time Officers Bruno and Blackwell arrived on scene to assist. After a lengthy investigation with the group, three individuals came forward and admitted to being involved. Three dirt bikes and a moped were located behind the shed, none of which were registered. One of the dirt bikes had a mutilated Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and was seized as evidence. All three individuals were charged with interfering with an Officer and operating without proper registration. One individual was also charged with operating a motor cycle without the proper endorsement and another individual was charged with operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

Commercial Fishing Enforcement
On January 21st Sergeant Stanko along with Officers Bruno and Tefft were patrolling Long Island Sound by vessel and saw a known fishing vessel underway with lobster pots stacked on deck. The vessel was observed operating in New York waters. A check with New York EnCon revealed the vessel and captain of said vessel did not have a valid Lobster Permit for NY. NY EnCon was notified but no enforcement action was taken. Numerous complaints of said vessel are well known to EnCon Police of which include the captain not having the appropriate Commercial Fishing License nor Landing Permit for lobsters for 2017. On this day an inquiry of the captain of the vessel confirmed that there were no permits issued for the 2017 season. Sergeant Stanko Instructed Officer Curran to take a post at the Stonington Town Dock of which the involved vessel hails from. Later in the afternoon Officer Curran conducted a check of the vessel as it came into port. The captain and the vessel was found to be in possession thirty-one (31) lobsters. Sergeant Stanko and Officers Bruno and Tefft arrived on scene to assist with the evidence. The lobsters were seized and the captain of the vessel was charged with a Misdemeanor Summons for Commercial Fishing/Landing w/o a valid License and Commercial Fishing/Landing w/o a valid Vessel Permit.

CT State EnCon Police
West District Highlights
January 2017

Hunting Enforcement

On 01/01/17, Officer Mihalyak, Buonocore and Kiely were dispatched to the report of illegal deer hunting in Wallingford. The complainant reported that a man had just parked his pickup truck and was bow hunting in the area. On arrival a truck matching the description given was observed parked at said location. Multiple tree stands and a ground blind were observed on the property. Officer Kiely and K9 Baloo completed a successful track that located the accused in the ground blind. A bait pile of was located approximately 15 to 20 feet in front of the ground blind. The accused admitted that he knew he was in Zone 7 and that you can only bait in Zones 11 and 12. The accused also did not have a 2017 Archery Permit, or written permission to hunt on the property for 2017. The accused was issued a Misdemeanor Summons for Archery Hunting During Closed Season, Use of bait and Bow Hunting w/o a Valid Permit. The accused was issued a Verbal Warning for Hunting Private Land w/o Written Permission. The accused’s archery equipment was seized and he was scheduled to appear at G.A. 7 Meriden Superior Court on 01/12/2017.
On 01/29/17, Officers Mihalyak and Fergason were dispatched to Weston for a hunting complaint where the accused harvested a deer on private land. The accused did not have written permission to hunt on the property. Officer Mihalyak spoke with the property owner by phone who stated that she had given the accused verbal permission to hunt deer on the property. The accused had a current valid hunting license with deer permits and has previously tagged deer this season. The accused tagged the deer and reported it by phone. Officer Mihalyak issued the accused a written warning for Hunting w/o Written Consent. The deer was seized and donated to Hunt to Feed the Homeless.

Fishing Enforcement

On 01/06/17, Officer Johnston was on patrol of the Housatonic River in the town of Shelton. He saw a male actively fishing who was known to have his fishing license indefinitely suspended and has been arrested in the past for fishing while under suspension. The male was fishing from a vessel in the middle of the river. When the male came to shore Officer Johnston approached and noticed that the male's motorized vessel was not registered and he did not have any personal floatation devices (PFD) on board. The male was arrested for Fishing While Suspended (subsequent offense) and for boating violations. Another male in the vessel was issued an infraction for Fishing w/o a License.

On 1/16/2017, Officer Kiely was dispatched to the Lower Housatonic River (Derby) for the report of five males keeping short striped bass. Upon arrival, Officer Kiely saw a grey colored Nissan Frontier parked in the lower lot of St. Peter’s Cemetery in Derby/Orange. Officer Kiely observed a white colored head lamp walking near a cut log pile towards the grey Nissan. When Officer Kiely stopped his patrol vehicle to turn into the dirt parking lot he saw that the head lamp change course and began making furtive movements around the log pile just near the wood line as if they were attempting to conceal fish or game. Once Officer Kiely pulled into the dirt lot he saw three males exiting from the wood line with one wearing a white colored head lamp. When questioning the accused parties about fishing they collectively stated they were catching “schoolies” and releasing them back into the water. Officer Kiely searched the area where he saw the head lamp making furtive movements and located a stringer with six short striped bass concealed next to a log along the foot path. All individuals denied seeing the fish along the path even though they would have had to step on the fish to navigate the log pile. The accused was issued a Misdemeanor Summons for said violations; Possession of Striped Bass Less Than Legal Length, and Possession of Striped Bass Over Daily Creel Limit. The accused was released on a Written Promise to Appear (WPTA) with a court set date of 1/26/2017 at G.A.5 Derby. The two other individuals were issued infractions for Fishing w/o a License. A further check of the area by Officer Kiely found no other individuals fishing.

Warrant Service
On 01/03/17 Officers Flockhart and Chickos served an arrest warrant from a pending investigation of Illegal Deer Hunting on Kent Land Trust property in the town of Kent that occurred in December 2015. The suspect (out of state resident) was stopped by Troop L in the town of Woodbury on a motor vehicle charge and taken into custody for the active warrant. The individual was charged with Negligent Hunting in the 3rd Degree, Hunting Deer on Private Land w/o Written Permission, Hunting Deer w/o a License, Illegal Deer Hunting and Hunting w/o Orange.


K-9 Service

01/17/17- K-9 Ellie- Tracking of a missing person at Mohawk State Forest, Cornwall

01/18/17- K-9 Ellie- Search and Rescue (SAR) team search - continued of previous track / search at Mohawk State Forest

01/23/17- K-9 Ellie- Evidence Recovery at Enders State Forest, Granby. This was an assist with a possible computer crime investigation

The incident on the date 1/16/2017 in DErby, are they the same ones that were caught last year with 36 under size striper that were let go by the court?

Thanks for sharing. Great work Deep officers