East District Highlights- April 2016

Public Safety Assists
On April 2, 2016, Officer Ruggiero was on patrol in Middlefield when he overheard a state police call concerning a juvenile male who had approached a homeowner reportedly trying to sell a gun. Officer Ruggiero took a post near the suspect’s last known location while other troopers were responding, and within minutes he observed the suspect, matching the description given, with what appeared to be a handgun visible. Officer Ruggiero approached the juvenile, disarmed him of a realistic ‘airsoft’ weapon, and detained him until troopers arrived. The juvenile was cited for breach of peace.
On the morning of April 11, 2016, Colchester Police became aware of an incident where a 14 year old male indicated on social media that he intended to harm himself, with further information that he intended to jump from a ledge at Devils Hopyard State Park, East Haddam. Officer Ulkus responded to the park along with East Haddam, Colchester, State Police and local fire/rescue units, where the subject’s bicycle was located at a picnic pavilion. Officer Ulkus, along with an East Haddam officer, first encountered the unharmed subject as the subject approached a trail summit, engaged him, and persuaded him to descend from the summit. He was transported to a medical facility for evaluation.

Boating Incidents / Patrols
While conducting high school crew practice on Coventry Lake on April 7th, three sculls encountered rough weather and one capsized, with eighteen (18) students from the E.O. Smith school team ending up in the water. Fourteen students were transported to Windham Hospital but received no treatment; Officers Pettus and Ulkus investigated the incident, found no violations, and determined that weather had been a primary factor.
On April 30, 2016 a joint US Coast Guard / EnCon Police vessel patrol of the mid-section of the Connecticut River was conducted. Officer Ulkus checked numerous fishermen and boaters, issued six warnings and citations for fishing and boating violations, and terminated two vessels for lack of lifejackets. He also issued a summons for taking herring during the emergency closure and failure to standby to a male who continuously threw herring overboard upon the officer’s approach after he identified himself.

Enforcement Activity
Eastern District officers were kept active during the month of April, issuing over twenty fishing violations, more than twenty park and forest citations, and over ten ATV violations. They were also active with several outreach events at local schools and in connection with the opening of the fishing season.

Marine District Highlights – April 2016

DUI
On April 13, 2016 officer Tefft was on patrol in the town of Groton. While traveling on Route 12 he observed a vehicle driving erratically. The operator was driving in an unsafe manner, crossing the center line and passing other vehicles. Officer Tefft stopped the operator and quickly observed that he was exhibited signs of being under the influence of alcohol. The operator of the vehicle failed numerous field sobriety tests and was transported to Groton Town Police Department for processing. The operator was charged with Driving Under The Influence, Engaging an Officer in Pursuit, Failure To Maintain Proper Lane, Following Too Close, and Passing on the right. The arrested man is scheduled to appear in New London Superior court on April 28, 2016.
On April 22, 2016 officer Blackwell responded to a complaint of a vehicle locked inside Hammonassett Beach State Park. The park closes at sunset and the operator of the vehicle had flagged down a Madison police officer to help get her out. The operator showed signs of being under the influence of alcohol and admitted to consuming beverages in the park that afternoon. The female operator was unable to perform the standardized field sobriety tests and numerous liquor bottles were found within her vehicle. The suspect was transported to the State Police barracks for processing where she refused any further tests. The operator was charged with Driving Under The Influence, and Hours Of Operation violation. She is scheduled to appear in New Haven Superior court on May 4, 2016.
Fleeing Fisherman
On April 17, 2016 officers Mihalyak and Nivolo responded to a complaint of an individual taking undersized striped bass from the Housatonic River. A description of the violator was given to officers who searched the shoreline from Shelton to Stratford. An individual matching the description was found fishing in Stratford. In his possession was an undersized striped bass and he could not produce a valid fishing license. The man was also wanted by Groton City Police for an outstanding felony warrant. Once the suspect learned that he was wanted, he fled on foot. The suspect ran and officers gave chase where he then went into the water. Once in the water the exhausted man gave up and was taken into custody by the officers waiting on shore. The suspect was charged with Interfering With An Officer, Fishing Without A License, and Possession Of Striped Bass Less Than The Legal Length. He was transported to the State Police barracks in Westbrook, where he was then taken into custody by Groton City Police for the outstanding warrant.
Ilegal Shellfishing
On April 24, 2016 Officer Stone was dispatched to Gulf Beach in Milford for a report of people clamming in a closed area. Officer Stone discovered three males actively digging clams in Gulf Pond. The individuals had four full buckets of clams (each contained approximately 50 clams). The clams were seized and returned to the waters where they belonged due to the fact that the area is closed to any shellfishing activity. The three suspects were issued infractions for illegal shellfishing in Milford. All three were non-residents of CT.

WESTERN DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS
HUNTING ENFORCEMENT:

In the early morning hours of 04/27/16, officers of the State EnCon Police, acting on an anonymous tip, staked out a hunting blind on the Bloomfield Game Club property on Terry Plains Rd. in Bloomfield. The accused, the Bloomfield Game Club president, was apprehended for illegally turkey hunting from the hunting blind. The accused was illegally baiting turkey with cracked corn and did not have any permits to hunt wild turkey. He was charged with Negligent Hunting 4th Degree, and Illegal Hunting With The Use Of Artificial Bait.

FISHING ENFORCEMENT:
On 04/23/2016, Officer Mihalyak was dispatched to the Wallace Dam on the Quinnipiac River in Wallingford for the report of an individual snagging fish. Upon arrival Officer Mihalyak observed the accused fishing below the Wallace Dam attempting to snag fish. The accused had a weighted treble hook that is used to snag fish, he admitted to snagging and had already caught two white sucker fish. Officer Mihalyak issued an infraction to the accused for Snagging and a License Null & Void was issued.
On 4/25/16, Officer Hage was dispatched to a report of individuals catching river herring at Wethersfield Cove in Wethersfield. Upon arrival Officer Hage observed several men fishing on the shoreline. As he approached the fishermen, one individual cut the lines on two of his fishing poles. Officer Hage called out to him telling him not to touch the lines but the individual disregarded the directive. Officer Hage conducted a fishing compliance check and discovered that another individual in the group was fishing with a live river herring baited at the end of his line. The accused was charged with Failure to standby and Illegal Taking Of River Herring.

NUISANCE WILDLIFE:
On 04/17/2016 at approximately 1517 hours, Officer Heath was dispatched to West Hartford for a report of a black bear in a highly populated urban area with no proximity to suitable habitat. Sergeant K. Williams and Officer Chickos were also dispatched as Tranquilizer Team members. Upon arrival there were approximately 10-15 adults and children within 10-15 yards of the bear taking pictures and "selfies" with the bear. The bear was cornered by a garage and a fence with its back to a spruce tree. The crowd was dispersed and the bear was treed. West Hartford Police were dispatched to assist with the large crowd that was gathering. The bear was successfully tranquilized and relocated to the nearest suitable habitat.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS:
On Monday, April 24, 2016 Officer Norton and Sergeant Begley responded to a report of a forest fire on Skiff Mountain Road. Officer Norton made contact with Kent Fire Chief, Eric Epstein, who stated that there were two individuals camping in the woods located between Skiff Mountain Road and River Road off of the Appalachian Trail. According to Chief Epstein the two individuals had started a campfire to cook, which in return got out of control. In addition to the Connecticut State Forestry Division and Kent Fire Department, multiple departments were also requested and responded for additional support. The two individuals were interviewed and a statements were obtained. The investigation determined the fire had originated from a campfire kindled to cook lunch. Once the campfire was lit, an ember jumped from the fire to some nearby oak leafs catching them on fire. The male was able to momentarily stomp the fire out, but it quickly re-lit, spread, and resulted in burning approximately 10 acres of wooded area. The accused was issued a Misdemeanor Summons for Open Air Burning Ban and was given a court date for GA 18 in Bantam.

PUBLIC OUTREACH:
Six District officers participated in six public outreach events during the month of April. These events consisted of career fairs, ride-a-longs, school talks, and fishing events.