CT EnCon Police
Eastern District Highlights
August 2019


Public Safety Responses / Search and Rescue
Around 9 AM on Sunday 8/4/2019 Hopeville Pond park staff contacted DEEP Emergency Dispatch indicating a male was near the beach at a picnic table, shooting some type of weapon. Following an initial response of all Eastern District officers and area State Police, Officer Waite and two Troopers arrived first on scene to find a 32 year old male from New Haven, camping in the park, had been shooting an air pistol (BB rounds) toward the campground and swim area; he stated he thought it was okay to shoot into the water. He was arrested on Reckless Endangerment, Breach of Peace and Firearm in a State Park charges, processed at State Police Barracks in Montville, and released after posting a $5000 bond with a scheduled appearance in Norwich court.
Later that same evening of 8/4/2019 officers responded to Quaddick State Park, Thompson, for a reported drowning. State Police had responded to the park for a 17 year old male from Attleboro, Massachusetts in distress in the swim area; the victim was recovered by a Trooper and a boater, and brought to shore where emergency medical services continued lifesaving efforts. The victim was brought to Day Kimball Hospital, Putnam, where he was pronounced deceased. EnCon Police investigated on site that night and the next day, and await further reports from the Medical Examiner’s office, which has reported the fatality as a drowning.
Mid-day on Sunday 8/11/2019, State Police received a report of an unoccupied vehicle parked and running, off a trail near the base of Soapstone Mountain, Shenipsit State Forest, Somers. Officer Scatena responded, along with K9 Officer Flockhart, who searched the area along with State Police, determined the vehicle was parked on private property, and located a phone and clothing belonging to the vehicle’s registered owner, a 45 year old female from Somers. State Police took over the investigation as it went into that evening. The following morning, having been unable to locate the particular female, State Police initiated a more detailed search and requested EnCon Police units with ATVs on Shenipsit forest roads and trails, local fire department personnel and canines. The missing female was eventually located uninjured on private property adjacent to state forest; she was taken by medical services for evaluation. State Police cleared their investigation / search with EnCon Police assistance.

Boating Enforcement / Incidents
On August 10th, 2019, Officers Curran, Williams and Captain Lundin responded to the Thames River, Montville/Ledyard, for a Montville Fire Department report of a 21’ open motorboat that had sunk in the river with an unknown number of people aboard. Upon arrival, it was confirmed the 51 year old owner / operator had been the only one aboard, was uninjured and aboard an FD vessel. It was determined the 35 year old vessel may have struck something in the river, took on water and sank, with a near complete loss of the vessel, which was recovered a few days later.
EnCon Police Officers continued to work vessel patrols and shore side at Gardner Lake and the adjoining state park, Salem / Montville / Bozrah, particularly on busy weekends, through assistance from the Gardner Lake Authority. Various violations of boating laws, particularly involving illegal personal watercraft operation, were detected and enforced throughout the month.

Parks / Recreation / ATV Enforcement
On the afternoon of Sunday 8/11/2019, Officer Waite and Seasonal Officer Flanagan responded to Millers Pond State Park, Durham, for an injured 34 year old male who had jumped 35-40 feet off some rocks into the pond where it is posted against this activity. The male was transported to Middlesex Hospital, Middletown, and was found to have suffered only a neck fracture and would later be released. He stated to officers that he knows he should not jump from the rocks, but has done this before. He was issued a written warning for the disorderly conduct.
On 8/31/2019 Sergeant Ulkus was patrolling through the town of Chaplin when he observed a green dirt bike driving on the public highway toward him. The lone male operator did a U-turn in front of Sergeant Ulkus, then soon returned heading toward him at which point he attempted to stop the operator, who drove past and ignored his commands to stop. Sergeant Ulkus then went to a nearby house where there appeared to be great interest in the police activity; the people in the yard of the residence then admitted they knew the operator who fled, and Sergeant Ulkus was able to get him to return to that location. The 22 year old male admitted he fled because he knew he had warrants for his arrest. The male was arrested on four outstanding failure to appear warrants from four different jurisdictions as well as the ATV violations; he was processed at State Police Danielson Barracks and released on court ordered cash bonds totaling over $10,000.

CT EnCon Police
Marine District Highlights
August 2019
Fishing Enforcement
On 8/1/19 Officer Tefft was conducting marine fishing compliance checks at the Bayberry Boat Launch in Groton and observed a vessel approaching the launch. Officer Tefft conducted a vessel safety inspection upon arrival at the dock and observed several bags of fish fillets on board, one of which was identified as a summer flounder (fluke) fillet. Officer Tefft asked the individuals what type of fish the fillets were from. One individual responded that they were from a fluke below the minimum size limit. The individual related that she had never tried fluke before and wanted to keep it. Officer Tefft knows through his training and experience that fishermen will keep short fluke and use the belly or white side for bait. When confronting the two fishermen about the issue, they admitted that they used the belly side for bait to possibly catch bigger fish. The individual who claimed catching the fluke was issued an infraction for possession of fluke fillets below the legal minimum size limit.
On 8/18/19 Officer Tefft was conducting marine fishing enforcement at Bayberry Boat Launch in Groton and checked a vessel with two fishermen onboard who related they had caught several fluke below the minimum size limit. The minimum size limit on fluke is 19 inches. Upon inspection Officer Tefft observed several bags of fillets in a cooler, some of which seemed fresher than others indicating that some of the fillets may have been frozen then thawed. The fishermen related that these fillets were from fish that had been previously been caught. One of the fishermen admitted to keeping an undersized fluke of which he stated it must have shrunk upon returning to the dock. The fisherman was issued an infraction for possession of undersized summer flounder/ fluke.
On 8/3/19 Officer Nivolo was at the Saugatuck River Boat Launch in Westport and observed a recreational fisherman loading his vessel onto a trailer. Officer Nivolo engaged in conversation with the fisherman and conducted a compliance check of his catch. During the inspection, Officer Nivolo found two undersized black sea bass and also determined the individual did not possess a required 2019 CT Salt Water Fishing License. The individual was issued an infraction for Fishing w/o a License and Possession of undersized Black Sea Bass.
Park & Forest Enforcement
On 8/3/19 Officer Erickson and Sergeant Stone responded to Miegs Point at Hammonasset Beach State Park for a report of a sexual assault that occurred. Two women were sitting on the beach when they were approached by an intoxicated male who was singing loudly. The man started talking to the two women and then laid down next to them speaking to one of them saying “we are all animals in the jungle”. The man then began touching one of the women’s leg. Both women got up and began walking away towards the water when the man walked up behind one of them and grabbed her hips and pulled her into him. The women were able to get away and make contact with the lifeguards to report the issue. Officer Erickson was able to locate the individual who was arrested for Sexual Assault 4th and Breach of Peace 2nd.
On 8/4/19 Officer Kerr was dispatched to Rocky Neck State Park for a report of a domestic disturbance between a male and female. The female was upset with her boyfriend over jealously issues and decided she was going to go swimming with another male to get a reaction from her boyfriend. When she did not get the reaction she was hoping for from her boyfriend she became agitated and started yelling and screaming at him. The female then took a watermelon and smashed it over her boyfriend’s head and began hitting him in the face and scratching him. Several witnesses confirmed the incident. The female was arrested and charged with Assault 3rd. During the investigation it was determined that the female individual also had an active re-arrest warrant for failing to appear for other charges which included a $5000 cash or surety bond. The female was charged for Failure to Appear 2nd and contacted a Bail Bondsman to post bond.

Blue Crab Enforcement
Connecticut Blue Crab regulations state hard shell crabs must measure 5 inches from tip to tip. Soft shell blue crabs must measure 3.5 inches from tip to tip.
On 8/6/19 Officer Kerr was patrolling Birch Plain Creek in Groton and observed a female actively taking blue crabs. Upon inspection of a bucket containing 13 blue crabs, 8 of the blue crabs were short. The individual was issued an infraction for possession of undersized blue crabs.
On 8/8/19 Officer Tefft was patrolling the Lieutenant River in Old Lyme and observed a group of 6 people actively taking blue crabs and putting them in a 5 gallon bucket. Upon inspection only one of 1 out of 5 blue crabs were of legal size. The responsible individual was issued an infraction for possession of undersized blue crabs.
On 8/17/19 Officer Kerr was patrolling Quanaduck Cove in Stonington and observed two individuals actively taking blue crabs and putting them into a 5 gallon bucket. All but two crabs in the bucket were undersized. The individual related he thought the length limit was 4 inches. The individual was educated and issued an infraction for possession of undersized blue crabs.
On 8/18/19 Officer Mazzotta and Officer Flis were patrolling Ferry Landing State Park in East Lyme and observed two individuals keeping multiple undersized blue crabs and putting them into a small bucket. The Officers inspected the catch finding 14 blue crabs of which 12 of them were undersized. The individuals were issued an infraction for Possession of undersized Blue Crabs.
Officer Tefft was patrolling Baker Cove in Groton and observed four individuals actively taking blue crabs all of which were undersized upon inspection. One of the individuals explained that they use the width of their hands to measure the distance from point to point. All of the crabs were measured by Officer Tefft and found to be between 3 and 4 inches. All crabs were released into the water and the individuals were issued infractions for possession of undersized blue crabs.
On 8/22/19 Officer Tefft was patrolling the Black Hall River in Old Lyme and observed a male individual actively taking blue crabs and putting them into a small bucket. Upon inspection all of the crabs in the bucket were undersized, measuring from 3 to 4.5 inches. The crabs were returned to the water and the individual was issued an infraction for the violation.
On 8/24/19 Officer Erickson was patrolling Hammonasset Beach State Park along with Seasonal Conservation Officer Schreiner and observed a male individual actively taking blue crabs at the Salt Pond at west Beach. The Officers observed the individual put numerous blue crabs in a plastic bag. When the Officers approached the individual to inspect his catch, he immediately dumped the entire bag into the water. Both Officers advised the individual to stop however he continued to empty the entire bag. Officer Erickson was able to retrieve several crabs of which were all undersized when measured. The individual was issued an infraction for the violation.

Boating Enforcement
On 8/10/19 Officer Tefft was patrolling the Niantic River in Waterford and observed two personal watercraft (PWC) being operated east along the channel towards the boat launch in excess of slow-no-wake within 200 feet of the docks located at Mago Point Marina. On one of the PWC’s the operator had a female passenger sitting in front of him with her legs wrapped around his body and was preoccupied with kissing her and failing to maintain a proper lookout. Officer Tefft was able to stop the operator and conduct a vessel safety compliance check and ask the operator for his Safe Boating Certificate. The operator did not have said certificate. Officer Tefft explained to the operator that he needed a CT Safe Boating Certificate to legally operate it in CT and that he could not have a passenger sitting in front of him while operating. The individual was issued an infraction for allowing a passenger to ride in front and for operating a PWC without a Safe Boating Certificate.
On 8/25/19 Sergeant Bruno was patrolling the CT River and observed two Personal Watercrafts (PWC) traveling at a high rate of speed through the entire posted “No Wake Zone” around Harbor One in Old Saybrook. Both PWC’s were stopped and issued infractions for violation of the no wake zone.

CT EnCon Police
Western District Highlights
August 2019

BOATING ENFORCEMENT/ VESSEL ACCIDENTS
On 08/18/2019, Sergeant Logiodice, Acting Sergeant Johnston, and Officer Huber responded to Brookfield Bay Marina on Candlewood Lake for a report of an individual struck by the moving propeller of pontoon boat. The victim suffered lacerations to the lower halves of both of his legs and was transported to Danbury Hospital by Brookfield EMS. Following investigation, it was determined that the victim had been seated on the bow of the pontoon boat and had fallen off. The victim has since been released from Danbury Hospital. The operator was charged with Reckless Boating Second Degree, Violation of Boating Safety Regulations/ Bow-riding, and Failure to Carry a Sound Signal Device.
On 8/20/19 EnCon Officers responded to a report of a boating collision on Bantam Lake in Morris involving 2 vessels, one of the vessels was reported to be sinking as a result. On arrival officers determined that there were no physical injuries as a result of the collision. One passenger was suffering from shortness of breath after becoming panicked in the water and was transported by EMS for evaluation. One of the operators sought medical attention for minor back pain on his own after leaving the area. Both vessels were removed from the water with the assistance of the Morris Fire Department. The operator of the at-fault vessel was arrested and charged with Reckless Boating 1st Degree, Failure to Maintain a Proper Lookout, and 2 counts of Failure to wear PFD for a child 12 years old or under.
On August 31, 2019 Acting Sergeant Johnston was on routine patrol on Candlewood Lake in the Town of Brookfield when he was flagged down by a resident on his dock. The resident was concerned about the condition of kayaker in the middle of the lake. At the same time DEEP Dispatch received a call about the same kayaker. Acting Sergeant Johnston approached the kayaker who was in the middle of heavy vessel traffic. The kayak was half full of water and unstable. Acting Sergeant Johnston determined the kayaker was heavily under of influence of alcohol and was taken aboard his patrol vessel. Once on shore the suspect was unable to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests to standard. Marijuana was also found on his person. The suspect was arrested for Boating Under the Influence (BUI) and Possession of <1/2 ounce of Marijuana. He was released on $1000 non-surety bond with a court date of September 10, 2019 at GA-3 in Danbury. The Candlewood Lake Authority and Brookfield Police Department assisted in this incident.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS
On 8/26/19 Officer O’Brien responded to a disturbance at Housatonic Meadows campground involving two males. The two males had been camping at the campground without registering/paying for their campsite. One of the two males became upset after a campground employee came to their site to discuss registration/payment. After the employee left the one male became loud and began yelling, upsetting surrounding park patrons. Upon arrival, both males had packed up their camp site and departed the campground. Their identities were unknown at the time, but from the descriptions obtained from the campground employee they were located the following day at the Goshen Fairgrounds. Upon interviewing the two, it was learned that one of the males had an outstanding nationwide extraditable felony warrant out of Arizona. He was ultimately taken into custody and charged with being a fugitive from justice. The male is currently in custody of the Department of Corrections while his extradition is pending.

NUISANCE BEAR
During the month of August Western District officers were dispatched and responded to 11 Nuisance Bear complaints.
PARK & FOREST ENFORCEMENT

On 8/10/19 Officer O’Brien received a call from Troop B about domestic violence occurring in Paugnut State Forest. A mountain biker was riding in the forest when he heard yelling. As he rode closer, he observed a female and a male, the female appearing upset and in distress. He asked her if she needed help. She told him she did and asked him to call the police, which he did. As he was on the phone with 911 the male was argumentative with him, and had told him not to call the police. The male ultimately left prior to police arrival but was located a short time later. The investigation found that there had been a physical altercation between the male and female, and during the altercation the male had made threats of physical harm to her. He was ultimately arrested and charged with Assault, Threatening, Disorderly Conduct and Illegal Camping.

PUBLIC SAFETY

On 8/24/19 Officers Dota and Fergason responded to a complaint of a medical emergency at Indian Well State Park. Officers determined that the victim was injured while jumping from the rocks in to the water in a “no swimming area.” The victim was transported to St. Vincent Hospital for a fractured foot and issued an infraction for Swimming in a Non-Designated Area.

SICK, INJURED AND NUISANCE WILDLIFE
During the month of August Western District officers were dispatched and responded to 25 calls for sick, nuisance or injured wildlife. Some incidents involved blue heron, raccoon, owl, hawks, and bobcat.