CT State EnCon Police
Eastern District Highlights
January 2019

Warrant Arrests
Early in November 2018, Officer Tefft received a complaint of possible illegal deer hunting on a large property on Route 164 in Preston. He investigated, found several tree stands and evidence of several acres of planted food plots typical for attracting deer, and at one point just missed catching up with a reported suspect pickup truck owned by a male from Westerly, Rhode Island. In late November, Tefft found a Havahart style animal trap staked in the food plot near a burrow, with a deceased rabbit that appeared to have been there for days. The trap was eventually seized as evidence. Tefft contacted the trap owner by its tag which displayed the trappers serial number that it might have been used by the owner’s nephew, who lives in Westerly. In December Tefft interviewed the nephew at Eastern District HQ, Marlborough, where he produced a signed permission slip to hunt the Preston property; he denied trapping any animals on the property, stating he had been given the trap to remove a skunk from his own property. After being advised of potential charges against him, the 41 year old male left, but called back within ten minutes to confess that he had trapped the rabbit, did not have a CT trapping license, did not check the trap as required, and signed a statement to these facts. Officer Tefft sought a warrant for the nephew and arrested him on 1/11/2019 at the Montville State Police barracks for trapping without a license, trapping without landowner permission, and three other illegal trapping violations. He also received a written warning for hunting without landowner permission (the signer of his slip was not a deeded owner). The subject was released on a $2500 bond for later appearance in superior court.
On October 29, 2018, Officer Tefft found a Dodge pickup truck at a gas station in Colchester with a single male occupant, only minutes after the vehicle had been reported by State Police as stolen from another part of town. Officer Tefft approached the vehicle and driver, who took off from him as he attempted to give him commands. Activating his emergency lights and siren, Tefft followed the lone suspect and vehicle as he proceeded west on Route 16, which was speeding well over the posted limit, and passing vehicles and a school bus in the opposing lane, forcing opposing traffic to swerve to avoid the suspect. Tefft stopped following the suspect due to his reckless actions, busy traffic and general congestion. The subject minutes later crashed into a school bus in East Hampton, stole another vehicle, was involved later in a Glastonbury larceny, and was finally apprehended in East Windsor by State Police late that night. Following observation of gas station cameras and several other agency contacts, Tefft confirmed the 32 year old male arrested by State Police was the same that he had encountered that morning. A warrant was issued and served by Officer Tefft on January 28th, 2019 in Norwich Superior Court on the subject for engaging in pursuit, interfering with an officer, reckless driving, and operating under suspension. The subject remains incarcerated on these and other charges.
Hunting Enforcement
On January 10th, Officer Vroman was patrolling the Quinebaug River in Canterbury and checked two waterfowl hunters at the state launch. One 34 year old male was found to be without any 2019 state hunting license nor his required duck stamp and was cited for these violations.
Recreational Enforcement
On 1/6/2019 Officer Ruggiero received a complaint of illegal All-Terrain Activity in Cockaponset State Forest, Haddam. Upon arrival he found several trucks and a UHaul trailer in a sandpit, and awaited further activity. Five ATVs later returned to the trailer and vehicles; the operators stated they had been told it was okay to ride there. All received infractions for illegal operation in the forest. As they were departing, another ATV (side-by-side UTV) entered the sandpit; they were informed of their illegal actions and also received an infraction.
On 1/15/19 Officer Vroman was patrolling Mansfield Hollow State Park and observed a dirt bike drive through the park, do a ‘wheelie’ then take off from him on a public highway. Not long afterward, the same bike and operator returned and were stopped. The 25 year old local male was cited for operating an unregistered ATV and highway operation.
On January 20th, 2019, Officer Ruggiero was patrolling Haddam Meadows State Park when a pickup truck entered at a high rate of speed (well over the 20 MPH posted limit) and continued south toward the boat launch, where the vehicle drove onto the grass and did a ‘spin out,’ tearing up the area. Upon contact, the 25 year old male operator was found to be unlicensed and under suspension; he was arrested on site for this violation and vandalism charges, the vehicle was then towed.
Public Outreach Activity/Training
During January 2019, two Eastern District officers joined members of the DEEP Boating Division to engage attendees and answer questions at the CMTA Boat Show in Uncasville on January 19th and 20th. Various officers attended police recertification training and other training at the academy in Meriden and in Danbury; firearms instructors were busy over one week assisting POST academy staff with firearms training for EnCon Police academy recruits.







CT State EnCon Police
Marine District Highlights
January 2019

Hunting Enforcement
On 1/12/2019 Sergeant Bruno observed several waterfowl hunters at Great Island in Old Lyme. Upon checking the group, one of the individuals did not have a 2019 hunting license nor did he purchase the required the CT Migratory Bird Stamp. The individual was issued an infraction for the violations and verbal warnings for several boating violations.
Commercial Fishing Enforcement
On 1/17/2019 Officer Nivolo served an arrest warrant on a commercial fisherman out of Norwalk stemming from an investigation that started back in October of 2018 involving actively baited lobster pots during the closed season. Several lobster pots and fish pots were seized and upon inspection it was determined that the fish pots did not have the required Ghost Panel as specified by statute. The panel is required by law to be installed on the sides or top of the trap/pot and attached by means of Ferris metal wire less than 3/32 of an inch in diameter or other natural fiber material that would deteriorate and allow fish to escape if the trap/pot was lost.
Officer Nivolo also determined that the commercial fisherman admitted to using baited lobster pots to catch spider crabs to use as Conch bait. It was noted and explained to the commercial fisherman that the use of baited lobster traps in the closed season to target species other than Whelk/Conch is prohibited.
Officer Nivolo further determined that the commercial fisherman did not have the required permit to use fish pots under his restricted commercial finfish license and that six of the fish pots were stolen from another commercial fishermen. When asked why he stole the pots and placed his name tag on them he replied “Yes, I know I was wrong, it was a gamble, but who would have ever thought you guys would have pulled gear down here”. Officer Nivolo submitted an arrest warrant to court for the following charges: Molesting fishing gear of another; Setting fish pots without the proper escape panel; Taking other than finfish with a fish pot; Commercial fishing w/o a license and Fishing baited lobster pots during the closure for purposes other than Conch/Whelk. The warrant was signed by a judge for the charges of Molesting fishing gear of another and setting fish pots w/o the proper escape panel. A court date was set for late January 2019.





CT State EnCon Police
Western District Highlights
January 2019

ATV ENFORCEMENT

On 1/12/19 DEEP Dispatch received a complaint about several ATVs riding and interrupting hunters in Naugatuck State Forest in Naugatuck. Officers Kiely and Johnston responded. While responding to the call Officer Johnston encountered six ATVs riding away from the forest on Lopus Road in Beacon Falls. He activated his emergency lights and siren to attempt a motor vehicle stop on the ATVs but they ignored his signal and kept riding. Officers Johnston and Kiely then proceeded to a quarry in Beacon Falls where historically illegal ATV riders will park their vehicles. At that location they made contact with the ATV riders who did not stop at Officer Johnston’s signal. The ATV riders admitted to riding in Naugatuck State Forest earlier. Six people were issued infractions for CGS 14-380 Operating an Unregistered ATV and CGS 14-386(b) Failure to Stop for an Officer. One of the ATV riders was found to be in possession of a pistol with a valid permit but was disarmed during contact for officer safety.

HUNTING ENFORCEMENT
DEEP EnCon Police with the assistance of US Fish and Wildlife Service arrested four Southbury residents following a two month long investigation into illegal jacklighting activity. The investigation began after the four suspects were arrested by DEEP EnCon Police on October 22nd 2018 for multiple violations to include, loaded weapon in a motor vehicle and jacklighting. DEEP EnCon Police continued their investigation and later obtained search warrants for the cell phones of the three individuals which resulted in further evidence of illegal jacklighting activity. A search warrant for the residence of Suspect #1 and Suspect #2 resulted in corroborating evidence of illegal deer jacklighting activity. During the week of January 6th, 2019 they turned themselves into CSP Troop A after being advised of active arrest warrants.
Suspect #1 was charged with the following violations; making false statement, Interfering w/ officer, Jacklighting Deer, Failure to report deer kill, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 2nd degree, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 3rd degree, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 4th degree, Conspiracy to commit Illegal sale of game. He was released on a $10,000 court set surety bond with a court date of January 17th 2019 at GA4 Waterbury.
Suspect #2 was charged with the following violations; Making false statement, Interfering w/ officer, Illegal transport of deer killed or hit by m/v without permit, Violation of conditions of release 2nd degree, Jacklighting Deer, Failure to report deer kill, Negligent hunting 2nd degree, Negligent hunting 3rd degree, Negligent hunting 4th degree, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 2nd degree, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 3rd degree, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 4th degree, Conspiracy to commit Illegal sale of game. He was released on a $10,000 court set surety bond with a court date of January 17th 2019 at GA4 Waterbury.
Suspect #3 was charged with the following violations; making false statement, Interfering w/ officer, Jacklighting Deer, Failure to report deer kill, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 2nd degree, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 3rd degree, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 4th degree, Conspiracy to commit Illegal sale of game. He was released on a $10,000 court set surety bond with a court date of January 17th 2019 at GA4 Waterbury.
Suspect #4 was charged with the following violations; Interfering w/ officer, Illegal transport of deer killed by motor vehicle w/o permit, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 2nd degree, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 3rd degree, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 4th degree, Conspiracy to commit illegal sale of game. He was released on a $10,000 court set surety bond with a court date of January 17th 2019 at GA4 Waterbury.
PARK AND FOREST ENFORCEMENT

On 1/5/19 Officer Johnston observed a vehicle in an unauthorized area of Naugatuck State Forest in Naugatuck. He conducted a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle. Upon making contact with the operator, identifying same, Officer Johnston found there was an active Violation of Probation Warrant for the operator. Officers Kiely, Buonocore and Sergeant Buckley responded as back-up. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to CSP Troop A for processing. He was held on a $50,000 bond for charges 53a-32 Violation of Probation and RCSA 23-4-1(l) Unauthorized Use of Trails. The suspect was transferred to the custody of the Department of Corrections. On 1/7/19 he was transported and presented to GA-4 in Waterbury for arraignment on those charges.

SICK, INJURED AND NUISANCE WILDLIFE
During the month of January Western District officers were dispatched and responded to 6 Nuisance Bear complaints. In addition to Nuisance Bear calls, officers responded to 17 calls for sick or injured wildlife involving hawks, swan, beaver, bobcat, turkey vulture and deer. Officers also responded to a car versus bear motor vehicle accident.