Eastern District Highlights

Hunting Arrests

On October 8th, 2015 Officer Pettus received a complaint that a Massachusetts hunter had illegally harvested a 6-point buck deer from private property in Woodstock several days earlier, and that the suspect's vehicle was in the area again. Officer Pettus responded and met a 46 year old male from Massachusetts returning to his vehicle in full camouflage clothing holding a cocked crossbow. The male, who had been arrested the prior year for illegal deer hunting, stated he was hunting "deer, coyote, or Imageanything that crossed his path." The male did not have a current 2015 hunting licenses, permits or written permission from the landowner. The subject was then arrested and charged with Illegal Deer Hunting and Hunting Deer without a permit. He is scheduled to appear in Danielson Superior Court.


On October 24th, Officer Scatena was notified by the CT State Police of possible illegal turkey hunting in the town of Eastford. An area neighbor complained that a 24 year old male had shot too close to her home. Officers Scatena and Bouthillier met the accused at his residence where he eventually admitted that he got 'excited' seeing a Jake (young male turkey) in his front yard and shot it (the bird was already cleaned and packaged). Further investigation showed the suspect had shot the turkey across a public road, was less than 330 feet from two houses when shooting, got his turkey permit online 1 1/2 hours after shooting the bird, and had not completed the mandated requirement to fill out a Turkey Harvest Tag. He was arrested and charged for all of the hunting and safety violations.


On October 28th Officer Bouthillier received a complaint of illegal deer hunting over bait in Coventry. Upon investigation she checked the area the next day and found a corn feeder and a pile of apples near a tree stand as described. She further saw a male dressed in camouflage clothing holding a bow and arrow at the base of a nearby tree. The 35 year old male had proper permits and permission and eventually admitted to archery hunting deer over bait on the property in two locations on several days. He was arrested for illegal deer hunting and released pending a court appearance.


On October 30th, 2015, Officer J. Williams responded to private property in East Haddam for a firearm deer poaching complaint. Upon his arrival (well after sunset) he heard a gunshot fired on the complaint property and, with assistance from Sgt. Dwyer, determined that there were two suspects who were attempting to elude them and executed a search of the property. A 69 year old Florida male and a 33 year old male from Georgia were ultimately located on the property. They both later admitted to officers that they were illegally hunting deer without licenses, permits, or written permission. They were then both arrested for various hunting charges; the older male was further charged with reckless endangerment due to his attempts to hide his firearm in the woods.


Felony Drug Arrest


On the evening of October 24th, 2015, Officer Arsenault made a patrol check of Hopeville Pond State ImagePark in Griswold and located a 39 year old male occupant smoking marijuana in his vehicle. Upon investigation the subject produced a large bag of marijuana and was found with over $2000 in cash on his person. Following assistance from Officers Bouthillier, Wojcik, Sgt. Dwyer and State Police Troop E, the vehicle was searched and over one kilogram of marijuana, narcotics, hashish and packaging materials were located. All illegal items, the vehicle, and over $6100 cash were seized and held as evidence. The suspect was charged with three felony drug violations as well as park trespass charges. He was held on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court. Statewide Narcotics Task Force officers also assisted EnCon Police with the investigation.


All Terrain Vehicle Incidents


On October 4th 2015 Officers Bouthillier, Scatena and Sgt. Dwyer were patrolling in the town of Windham near railroad property and encountered a group of ten or more All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) operating on the tracks toward their location. Upon the officers identifying themselves and signaling Imagethe group to stop, all riders disregarded their request, turned and fled the area. Officer Scatena and Sgt. Dwyer soon located three abandoned ATVs nearby and briefly engaged in a foot chase, Officer Ulkus arrived to assist, and some time later, while the officers were securing the three found ATVs, two males came running down the road and were recognized as two of the operators from the earlier encounter. When approached for questioning both suspects initially ignored the officers' request and continued their evasive attitudes. One suspect was being extremely uncooperative. Both were issued citations for unregistered ATV operation, and one was arrested for interfering. The abandoned ATVs were secured as evidence pending return to their documented owners.


On October 11th, 2015 0fficer Lindo and Sgt. Wolfe responded to a complaint of ATVs operating in the Wangunk Meadows Wildlife Management Area in Glastonbury. Upon arrival they found twelve ATVs operating in the area. The area is clearly posted as closed to motor vehicles. All operators received citations for illegally operating unregistered ATVs. A check of one dirt bike was found to be stolen from Bridgeport; the operator of said dirt bike stated he had 'exchanged a quad for the dirt bike' but had no documentation to prove it. The subject was arrested for larceny, fifth degree, and released on a promise to appear. The dirt bike was seized and returned to its rightful owner.


CONNECTICUT ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION POLICE


Marine District Monthly Highlights — October 2015


Boat Accident


On October 7, 2015 officer Tavares responded to a request from the US Coast Guard to assist with a boat accident investigation that occurred in Niantic Bay. A twenty one foot vessel with a single person/ Imageoperator on board was returning to the Niantic River launch from a fishing trip at around 8:30PM. The operator stated he was traveling at plaining speed when he struck a rock causing the boat to take on water. The operator was assisted and towed by the US Coast Guard into the boat launch. The vessel had significant damage to the hull, deck and outboard motor. The vessel is estimated to be a total loss. The operator was uninjured and stated he must have struck White Rock as he was returning to port.


Marine Fishing violation


On Sunday October 18, 2015 Officer Ulkus was on routine patrol in the town of Waterford when he observed a Sea Pro center console vessel enter the Niantic River with (5) Asian males onboard. This particular vessel is well known to Marine District EnCon Officers as its owner and occupants have been the subject of several fishing violations in the past. Officers Ulkus and Logiodice conducted an inspection of the vessel once it docked at its marina in East Lyme. Officers discovered a total of (37) marine fishing violations including:


Image 21 undersize Tautog


Image10 Tautog over the legal daily possession limit


Image 4 undersized Black Sea Bass


Image 1 Black Sea Bass over the legal possession limit Image 1 unlicensed fisherman


The illegal fishermen were each issued infractions for their violations which totaled $2,787 in fines.


CONNECTICUT ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION POLICE


West District Monthly Highlights — October 2015


HUNTING


On Friday October 16, 2015 Officers Mihalyak and Hage were dispatched to Middlebury for the report of a deer stand overlooking bait. Upon investigation a camouflaged tree stand, game camera, and bait were found within 10 to 15 yards of the tree stand. On Monday evening, October 19, 2015, Officer Mihalyak was informed that a male hunter was actively hunting over the bait. On arrival, Officer Mihalyak observed the unidentified male exit the stand and stopped him as he was approaching his vehicle. Officer Mihalyak, backed up by Officer Chickos, was able to go to the tree stand and still find the area baited. Officer Mihalyak issued the accused a misdemeanor summons for 26-82(a) Use of salt lick, bait, trap, snare, or other device. Conroy's court date was set for October 30, 2015 and is scheduled to appear at Waterbury Superior Court.


On Saturday October 17, 2015 Officer Heath and Sergeant Begley were in the town of Kent checking on an illegal bait pile that had been discovered previously and was part of an ongoing investigation. The illegal bait pile was located on the Northeast Utilities property of Skiff Mountain. In the early morning hours, the hunter was located in a tree stand actively hunting in the vicinity of the bait. The accused, a New York resident, was issued a misdemeanor summons for Illegal Deer Hunting, 26-82 and was released on a Promise To Appear with a court set date of November 2, 2015 at Bantam Superior Court.


On Friday October 30th, 2015 Sergeant Williams and Officer DeFelice were patrolling the Cedar Swamp WMA area in New Hartford. Sergeant Williams noticed a vehicle parked on the side of the road of which contained hunting apparel on the rear seat. An investigation into the vehicle showed that the registered owner did not possess a 2015 hunting license. Officer DeFelice set up a surveillance post nearby while Sergeant Williams attempted to locate the subject in the woods. Officer DeFelice observed a pick-up truck pass by the involved vehicle slowly and beep the horn once and left the area. At this time additional information was provided to the officers that someone in the area just shot a deer and that they were asking for permission to retrieve it through private property. It was also reported that the person is heading out of the woods to retrieve his vehicle. Officer DeFelice located the individual coming out of the woods at which time he approached and asked the unidentified male for his hunting license and tag. The individual provided his hunting license but failed to tag the deer and stated he left his tag in his pick-up truck. The male escorted the officers to where he shot the deer at which time it was determined that the deer was shot on the State WMA but had succumbed on private land of which the individual had not received permission from the landowner to retrieve. The individual was issued a summons for failure to tag his deer and a warning for simple trespass. The deer was seized as evidence and was later donated.


PARK & FOREST


On the evening of October 5, 2015 and into the next day multiple Western District Supervisors and Officers responded to Mount Tom State Park to assist the Torrington Police Department search for a suicidal male who was possibly armed with a rifle. His vehicle was located disabled in the parking lot by Litchfield Police. The State Park was closed for Public Safety during the search. CSP Troop L personnel, CSP K9 SAR Teams, and the CSP ESU Dive Team also responded. Both Western District ENCON K9 Teams were utilized but the subject was not located on the state property or in the adjacent body of water. The vehicle was removed and the investigation was turned back over to the Torrington Police Department. The individual was eventually located out of state.


On October 22, 2015, Officers Mihalyak and Kiely executed an arrest warrant to an accused male at Meriden Superior Court related to a larceny that occurred at Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden on June 26, 2015. On that date a vehicle was burglarized in the parking lot with a window being broken and a purse stolen from the vehicle. The accused then went to Walmart at 910 Wolcott Street, Waterbury, and proceeded to charge several items to the victim's credit cards. Officer Mihalyak was able to identify the accused male, the illegal credit card charges, and the stolen items with the help of several other law enforcement agencies and several officers within DEEP. The accused was arraigned on October 22, 2015 and is currently detained.


On October 25, 2015 EnCon Officers Johnston and Hage from the South West sector and Sgt. Williams responded to West Rock Ridge State Park for a report of a white male who had fallen off the south overlook. Upon their arrival they encountered several witnesses who related the victim may have been homeless, had been drinking and had possibly taken some drugs and had ventured beyond the safety rail. The witnesses related they saw the individual lose his balance and fallover the edge at which time one witness dialed 911. New Haven Fire & Rescue and New Haven Police arrived on scene to assist. New Haven Fire and Rescue were able to send one rescue climber down and located the deceased victim approximately 250 feet below the edge of the cliff. Due to nighttime, low light hours, restricted visibility, and safety issues, the rescue effort was suspended until the next morning. On October 26th, 2015 the rescue effort commenced. New Haven Fire & Rescue sent two rescue/ recovery climbers down and recovered the victim. The victim was transported to the Chief Medical Examiner's Office in Farmington where during Imagethe autopsy fingerprints were taken and forwarded to the State Police Crime Lab by Officer O'Brien. Several other witnesses later came forward who were originally at the scene and identified the victim. The 26 year old victim was identified both by the witnesses and fingerprint records from the State Police. The cause of death has been ruled as blunt force trauma due to a fall.


ATV ENFORCEMENT


On Sunday October 25, 2015, Western District personnel and Thomaston Police Department conducted an ATV Operation at Mattatuck State Forest in the Thomaston Branch Brook Trail area. The operation resulted in 5 individuals being arrested for multiple charges of Illegal ATV Operation.

Again a job well done.

Thanks for the highlights its to bad the Sea Pro center console vessel could not be seized. Seems that they will continue to do it.