06-12-2007, 01:00 AM
WESTERN DISTRICT
Black Bears on the Loose
With the advent of warmer weather the number of bear complaints and sightings have increased in the Western District. During the month of May there were 426 complaints/sightings of black bears for the district. On May 6th, EnCon Police Officer Tim Hill served an arrest warrant charging a Barkhamsted man with Negligent Hunting 4th degree and Illegal hunting/shooting of a black bear. The arrest was a result of the subject shooting bear on 4/17/07 in his backyard for eating birdseed and damaging a fence. The bear suffered a wound to the front leg and was tranquilized, treated and released at a different location. During the month officers tranquilized and moved a number of bears including one from Hamden on May 7th.
Cows on the Loose
On 5/12/07, EnCon Police Officer Paul Hilli responded to Black Rock State Park in Watertown for a herd of 12 cows that were loose in the park. Officer Hilli determined that the cows had escaped from a farm to the west of the park. Officer Hilli and the farmer managed to corral 8 of the cows; the remaining 4 were captured later in the evening.
Moose on the Loose
On 5/14/07, EnCon Police Officer Stan Kucia responded to a report of a moose versus car accident on RT 63 in Cornwall. The State Police prior to Officer Kucia’s arrival dispatched the moose.
Anaconda on the Loose
On 5/15/07, EnCon Police officers were contacted to assist the Torrington Police in searching for a 12 foot long Yellow Anaconda that escaped from a Torrington resident who was keeping the snake as a pet in his apartment. The snake was eventually located and the owner voluntarily turned over the snake to a reptile rehabilitator/educator. The snake’s owner was issued a written warning for illegal possession of the dangerous reptile due to the size of the snake and the fact that there were small children in the owner’s apartment complex that could have come in contact with the snake.
Mountain Lions on the Loose
On 5/16/07, EnCon Police officers received a report of a dead mountain lion in the median on RT 691 in Southington. Officer McGinn responded and determined that the dead mountain lion was in fact a dead coyote.
On 5/17/07, EnCon Police Officer Matt Tomassone responded to reported mountain lion sighting where the caller claimed to have a photograph. Officer Tomassone determined that the photograph was fraudulent and that there was no mountain lion.
Hunting Related Shooting
On 5/15/07, EnCon Police Officers Ralph Concepcion and Ed Yescott responded to a report of a hunting related shooting in Suffield. Officer Yescott determined that the victim had been turkey hunting when another turkey hunter shot him. The victim suffered serious head injuries and was transported to Bay State Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. Officer Concepcion and Officer Paul Hilli are investigating the shooting.
EnCon Police Officer Injured in Motor Vehicle Accident
On 5/20/07, EnCon Police Officer Keith Schneider was on patrol on RT 202 in Washington when a vehicle driving in the opposite direction crossed the centerline and struck Officer Schneider’s vehicle head on. Officer Schneider was able to get out of his vehicle, but the operator of the other vehicle had to be extricated by the Washington Fire Department. Officer Schneider was treated and released from New Milford Hospital for non-life threatening injuries and will be on medical leave recuperating for at least 6 weeks. The operator of the other vehicle suffered serious injuries and required hospitalization.
EASTERN DISTRICT
DWI Arrest
On 5/10/07, EnCon Police Officer Ed Pyznar was traveling westbound on Route 2 in Glastonbury where he observed a vehicle being operated in an erratic manner, weaving between lanes numerous times. He stopped the vehicle and suspected that the driver was intoxicated. The driver failed field sobriety tests and was transported to Troop K in Colchester. The driver was administered a blood alcohol test that revealed that his blood alcohol level was .368, which is over four times the legal limit. During the arrest process, the driver admitted to having a suspended driver’s license for the last ten years.
He was arrested and charged with DUI, Operating Under Suspension and Failure to Stay in the Proper Lane.
Narcotics Arrest
On 5/23/07, EnCon Police Officer Joe Ruggiero was on patrol at Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middlefield when he drove into the parking lot and observed a female crouched down in the drivers’ seat of a vehicle. Officer Ruggiero walked up and observed her take something from her mouth and hide it in her hand and then place the object in her pocketbook. Officer Ruggiero observed some drug paraphernalia on the floor of the vehicle and then recovered a crack pipe from the woman’s pocketbook. She was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Minors Possessing Alcohol
On the evening of 5/24/07, EnCon Police Officer Hans Danielson responded to a complaint of a large group of underage youths drinking alcoholic beverages at the Green Falls area of Pachaug State Forest. As he was driving to the area on Green Falls Road he observed a vehicle doing donuts in the gravel road. When Officer Danielson tried to stop the vehicle, it sped off, ripping off the exhaust system in the process of fleeing. Officer Danielson stopped the next vehicle that was exiting the area and asked the operator if she knew the operator of the first vehicle. Officer Danielson observed alcohol in the vehicle and determined that the operator was underage. He instructed her to wait as he checked the next vehicle in line. The female sped away at a high rate of speed but was later stopped at the intersection of Rte. 138. The driver was charged with Reckless Driving, Operating Under Suspension, Interfering with Police, and Possession of Alcohol by a Minor.
Marijuana Arrest
On 5/30/07, EnCon Agency Police Officer Holly Bernier was on patrol at Bigelow Hollow State Park in Union where she observed two men fishing from a canoe. Since they were not wearing personal flotation devices she motioned them to shore and asked for their fishing licenses. While searching containers for any illegal fish, Officer Bernier discovered a bottle of alcohol (rum), which is prohibited at this park and four bags of marijuana. One man received an infraction for the alcohol violation and the other was charged with Illegal Possession of less than 4 oz. of Marijuana.
MARINE DISTRICT
Striper Arrests
On 5/8/2007, EnCon Police Officer Cindy Schneider was patrolling the Devon State Access Area on the Housatonic River in Milford where she observed a vessel come in to the launch with four people on board. The occupants stated they had been fishing but did not have any fish on board. Officer Schneider observed a cooler on the vessel and obtained consent from the boat owner to open it. Inside the cooler were nine striped bass all less than the minimum length of twenty-eight inches. All of the occupants in the vessel stated they had caught the fish. Officer Schneider issued summonses to all four occupants for possession of striped bass less than the legal length. The vessel owner was verbally warned for being in possession of striped bass over the daily limit of two bass.
Commercial Scallop Arrest
On 5/6/07, EnCon Police Sgt. Ryan Healy and Officer Jim Kane were on vessel patrol in the Thames River. A commercial fishing vessel was beginning to off load its catch at the State Pier in New London and Officer Kane and Sgt. Healy conducted a boarding of the vessel. The vessel had been scallop fishing and the captain of the vessel stated he had 400 lbs. of scallops on board, the maximum trip limit under his federal license. The captain did not have a Connecticut commercial fishing license or landing license, which is required to land scallops in Connecticut. An inspection of the catch revealed that there was 439.70 lbs of scallops on board, which is over the legal trip limit for the boat. The entire catch was seized and sold to a local seafood dealer and the proceeds will be held in escrow by the state until the case is adjudicated. The violation for being over the trip limit for scallops has been referred to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Law Enforcement for action. __________________
Captain Raul Camejo
[url "http://www.ct.gov/dep"]Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection[/url]
[url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/rec/law_enf/index.htm"]Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police[/url]
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Black Bears on the Loose
With the advent of warmer weather the number of bear complaints and sightings have increased in the Western District. During the month of May there were 426 complaints/sightings of black bears for the district. On May 6th, EnCon Police Officer Tim Hill served an arrest warrant charging a Barkhamsted man with Negligent Hunting 4th degree and Illegal hunting/shooting of a black bear. The arrest was a result of the subject shooting bear on 4/17/07 in his backyard for eating birdseed and damaging a fence. The bear suffered a wound to the front leg and was tranquilized, treated and released at a different location. During the month officers tranquilized and moved a number of bears including one from Hamden on May 7th.
Cows on the Loose
On 5/12/07, EnCon Police Officer Paul Hilli responded to Black Rock State Park in Watertown for a herd of 12 cows that were loose in the park. Officer Hilli determined that the cows had escaped from a farm to the west of the park. Officer Hilli and the farmer managed to corral 8 of the cows; the remaining 4 were captured later in the evening.
Moose on the Loose
On 5/14/07, EnCon Police Officer Stan Kucia responded to a report of a moose versus car accident on RT 63 in Cornwall. The State Police prior to Officer Kucia’s arrival dispatched the moose.
Anaconda on the Loose
On 5/15/07, EnCon Police officers were contacted to assist the Torrington Police in searching for a 12 foot long Yellow Anaconda that escaped from a Torrington resident who was keeping the snake as a pet in his apartment. The snake was eventually located and the owner voluntarily turned over the snake to a reptile rehabilitator/educator. The snake’s owner was issued a written warning for illegal possession of the dangerous reptile due to the size of the snake and the fact that there were small children in the owner’s apartment complex that could have come in contact with the snake.
Mountain Lions on the Loose
On 5/16/07, EnCon Police officers received a report of a dead mountain lion in the median on RT 691 in Southington. Officer McGinn responded and determined that the dead mountain lion was in fact a dead coyote.
On 5/17/07, EnCon Police Officer Matt Tomassone responded to reported mountain lion sighting where the caller claimed to have a photograph. Officer Tomassone determined that the photograph was fraudulent and that there was no mountain lion.
Hunting Related Shooting
On 5/15/07, EnCon Police Officers Ralph Concepcion and Ed Yescott responded to a report of a hunting related shooting in Suffield. Officer Yescott determined that the victim had been turkey hunting when another turkey hunter shot him. The victim suffered serious head injuries and was transported to Bay State Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. Officer Concepcion and Officer Paul Hilli are investigating the shooting.
EnCon Police Officer Injured in Motor Vehicle Accident
On 5/20/07, EnCon Police Officer Keith Schneider was on patrol on RT 202 in Washington when a vehicle driving in the opposite direction crossed the centerline and struck Officer Schneider’s vehicle head on. Officer Schneider was able to get out of his vehicle, but the operator of the other vehicle had to be extricated by the Washington Fire Department. Officer Schneider was treated and released from New Milford Hospital for non-life threatening injuries and will be on medical leave recuperating for at least 6 weeks. The operator of the other vehicle suffered serious injuries and required hospitalization.
EASTERN DISTRICT
DWI Arrest
On 5/10/07, EnCon Police Officer Ed Pyznar was traveling westbound on Route 2 in Glastonbury where he observed a vehicle being operated in an erratic manner, weaving between lanes numerous times. He stopped the vehicle and suspected that the driver was intoxicated. The driver failed field sobriety tests and was transported to Troop K in Colchester. The driver was administered a blood alcohol test that revealed that his blood alcohol level was .368, which is over four times the legal limit. During the arrest process, the driver admitted to having a suspended driver’s license for the last ten years.
He was arrested and charged with DUI, Operating Under Suspension and Failure to Stay in the Proper Lane.
Narcotics Arrest
On 5/23/07, EnCon Police Officer Joe Ruggiero was on patrol at Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middlefield when he drove into the parking lot and observed a female crouched down in the drivers’ seat of a vehicle. Officer Ruggiero walked up and observed her take something from her mouth and hide it in her hand and then place the object in her pocketbook. Officer Ruggiero observed some drug paraphernalia on the floor of the vehicle and then recovered a crack pipe from the woman’s pocketbook. She was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Minors Possessing Alcohol
On the evening of 5/24/07, EnCon Police Officer Hans Danielson responded to a complaint of a large group of underage youths drinking alcoholic beverages at the Green Falls area of Pachaug State Forest. As he was driving to the area on Green Falls Road he observed a vehicle doing donuts in the gravel road. When Officer Danielson tried to stop the vehicle, it sped off, ripping off the exhaust system in the process of fleeing. Officer Danielson stopped the next vehicle that was exiting the area and asked the operator if she knew the operator of the first vehicle. Officer Danielson observed alcohol in the vehicle and determined that the operator was underage. He instructed her to wait as he checked the next vehicle in line. The female sped away at a high rate of speed but was later stopped at the intersection of Rte. 138. The driver was charged with Reckless Driving, Operating Under Suspension, Interfering with Police, and Possession of Alcohol by a Minor.
Marijuana Arrest
On 5/30/07, EnCon Agency Police Officer Holly Bernier was on patrol at Bigelow Hollow State Park in Union where she observed two men fishing from a canoe. Since they were not wearing personal flotation devices she motioned them to shore and asked for their fishing licenses. While searching containers for any illegal fish, Officer Bernier discovered a bottle of alcohol (rum), which is prohibited at this park and four bags of marijuana. One man received an infraction for the alcohol violation and the other was charged with Illegal Possession of less than 4 oz. of Marijuana.
MARINE DISTRICT
Striper Arrests
On 5/8/2007, EnCon Police Officer Cindy Schneider was patrolling the Devon State Access Area on the Housatonic River in Milford where she observed a vessel come in to the launch with four people on board. The occupants stated they had been fishing but did not have any fish on board. Officer Schneider observed a cooler on the vessel and obtained consent from the boat owner to open it. Inside the cooler were nine striped bass all less than the minimum length of twenty-eight inches. All of the occupants in the vessel stated they had caught the fish. Officer Schneider issued summonses to all four occupants for possession of striped bass less than the legal length. The vessel owner was verbally warned for being in possession of striped bass over the daily limit of two bass.
Commercial Scallop Arrest
On 5/6/07, EnCon Police Sgt. Ryan Healy and Officer Jim Kane were on vessel patrol in the Thames River. A commercial fishing vessel was beginning to off load its catch at the State Pier in New London and Officer Kane and Sgt. Healy conducted a boarding of the vessel. The vessel had been scallop fishing and the captain of the vessel stated he had 400 lbs. of scallops on board, the maximum trip limit under his federal license. The captain did not have a Connecticut commercial fishing license or landing license, which is required to land scallops in Connecticut. An inspection of the catch revealed that there was 439.70 lbs of scallops on board, which is over the legal trip limit for the boat. The entire catch was seized and sold to a local seafood dealer and the proceeds will be held in escrow by the state until the case is adjudicated. The violation for being over the trip limit for scallops has been referred to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Law Enforcement for action. __________________
Captain Raul Camejo
[url "http://www.ct.gov/dep"]Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection[/url]
[url "http://www.dep.state.ct.us/rec/law_enf/index.htm"]Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police[/url]
[signature]