04-18-2007, 08:55 AM
EASTERN DISTRICT
Stolen Vessels Recovered
On 8/06/06 Environmental Conservation Police Officer Bill Myers was on boating patrol at Pickerel Lake in Colchester. He observed a Jet Ski underway on the lake, which was not displaying a registration or expiration decal. He followed the operator to his dock on the lake where Officer Myers observed a second Jet Ski that also was not displaying a registration or decal. He also observed a 20’ Carvelle powerboat moored at the dock, which did not display a registration or decal. Further investigation and inspection found that all three vessels and three nearby trailers had obliterated, removed, or altered Hull Identification Numbers and Vehicle Identification Numbers. Officer Myers conducted a lengthy and extensive investigation, which confirmed that all three vessels and trailers were stolen. The 43 year-old owner was arrested by warrant on 3/3/07 and charged with 3 counts of Possession of Mutilated, Removed, Vehicle Identification Numbers and two counts of Mooring an Unregistered Vessel. The stolen vessels and trailers were seized and will be returned to the original owners.
Narcotics Arrest
On 3/15/07, Environmental Conservation Police Officer Eric Johnson was on patrol at the Mansfield Hollow State Park Boat Launch where he observed two males sitting in a parked vehicle and another vehicle parked alongside. The second vehicle left the area immediately. The driver of the first vehicle made several quick furtive moves inside the vehicle as Officer Johnson approached on foot. Officer Johnson observed a slingshot in plain view. The occupants said that they had been shooting rocks at park signs. Officer Johnson had the driver exit the vehicle and instructed him to empty his pockets to check for additional weapons. The driver exposed an empty bag, which had contained marijuana. He then checked the inside of the vehicle and found a gym bag that contained 23 baggies of cocaine, a plastic bag with over 1 ounce of cocaine and another bag with 29 baggies of cocaine. Officer Johnson also seized $2230.00 in cash from the driver, who admitted that the drugs were his. He later stated that he did not have a job and sold drugs to support himself. The 29 year-old male was arrested and charged with Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell, and Possession of Cocaine.
WESTERN DISTRICT
Illegal Deer Hunting Warrants
After an extensive investigation concerning the illegal killing of deer, which began in September of 2006, Environmental Conservation Police Officer Tate Begley obtained arrest warrants and charged two New Milford men with violations stemming from the investigation. The charges are the result of evidence that was obtained with search warrants executed in a November 2006 raid in New Milford. One subject was arrested on a warrant issued by GA-18, Litchfield for 1 count of Jack Lighting for Deer, 1 count of Negligent Hunting in the Third Degree, 5 counts of Illegal Killing of Deer, Conspiracy to Commit Interfering with a Police Officer, 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. The subject was held on a $25,000 bond. An additional subject was arrested with an arrest warrant was issued by GA-18 for 1 count of Interfering with a Police Officer and 2 counts of loaning or lending Tags of Deer. The subject was released on a $10,000 bond. A third arrest warrant for related charges was issued by GA-18 for a suspect who remains at large at this time.
Bears
During March, the warm weather brought a significant increase in bear sightings and complaints in the Western District. During March, Environmental Conservation Police received 52 complaints of nuisance bears in various locations in Western Connecticut. Several of the complaints involved bears that attacked domestic livestock and dogs. EnCon Police are working closely with the DEP Wildlife Division to attempt to capture the bears that are posing threats to public safety or domestic animals.
MARINE DISTRICT
Commercial Fishing Violation
On 3/3/07, Environmental Conservation Police Sgt. Ryan Healy and Officer Stan Mieldzioc were patrolling Stonington Harbor by vessel. They observed a commercial lobster boat hauling traps in the harbor and approached it to conduct a boarding. The fisherman had eighteen lobsters on board, but five of them were less than the minimum legal length. The subject also did not have his vessel permit, commercial fishing license or vessel registration on board. The subject was issued a summons for possession of lobsters less than the minimum legal length and was verbally warned for the other violations. The lobsters were seized as evidence.
Suicide Attempt
On 3/3/07, Environmental Conservation Police Officer Todd Chemacki was patrolling Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison. While checking the park, he noticed a vehicle in the West Beach parking lot with a female in the driver’s seat that seemed to be acting violently. A male subject waved to Officer Chemacki and stated he believed the female was having a seizure. Officer Chemacki radioed for an ambulance and went to check the female. The female was incoherent and violently sick. Officer Laura Gregonis arrived on scene and assisted Officer Chemacki with keeping the female’s airway open until the ambulance arrived. Officer Chemacki noticed two bottles of prescription medication next to the female. Ambulance personnel took over care for the female and Officer Chemacki attempted to identify her. While checking the vehicle he found an apparent suicide note. The female was transported to a local medical facility and family members were contacted about her situation.
Assist New York Officers
On 3/23/07, Environmental Conservation Police Capt. Kyle Overturf, Sgt. Tom Bull and Officers Todd Chemacki, Ray Ramos, Jim Kane and Stan Mieldzioc conducted an inspection of the Fulton Fish Market in New York in conjunction with New York EnCon Police Officers. The Connecticut officers met six New York officers at 2 a.m., in the Bronx and went to the new Fulton Fish Market. The New York and Connecticut officers teamed up and inspected the entire facility. They checked for shellfish tagging requirements, possession and size limit compliance for fish and lobster and importation violations. The New York officers made four arrests. Two were for shellfish tagging violations, one was for possession of weakfish during the closed season and one was for possession of cod less than the minimum legal length.
Missing Boater
On 3/28/07, the Environmental Conservation Police were notified by the U.S. Coast Guard of a report of a missing boater in Long Island Sound off of Milford. Sgt. Eric Lundin and Officers Todd Chemacki, Rob Monday and Cindy Schneider responded. A fifty-one year old male had been sailing with two companions on Long Island Sound. The fifty-one year old was operating the sailboat and the two other subjects were asleep below deck. When the two passengers awoke, the operator of the sailboat was missing and the sailboat was adrift. The Coast Guard, State EnCon Police and Bridgeport Police all searched for the missing boater into the night with negative results. The State Police Major Crime Squad is assisting the State EnCon Police in the investigation.
Taser Training
On 3/30/07, nine Marine District sergeants and officers were certified by Capt. Kyle Overturf and Officer Tate Begley as X-26 Taser users. The four-hour training session was conducted at Old Lyme Headquarters. The sergeants and officers were instructed on the taser operating system, its use and division policy. They were able to practice multiple times with the tasers in live fire drills. Seven of the officers volunteered to be exposed to the taser.
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[url "http://www.ct.gov/dep"]Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection[/url]
[url "http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2695&q=322630&depNav_GID=1649"]Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police[/url]
[url "http://www.necleca.org/"]Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association[/url]
[url "http://www.ctenconpolice.org/"]Connecticut Conservation Officers Association[/url]
[url "http://dep.state.ct.us/olisp/publications/publictrust.htm"]Public Access to Water Information[/url]
[url "http://www.ctfisherman.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/ubb/get_topic/f/38/t/000209.html?"]Captain Raul Camejo[/url]
[signature]
Stolen Vessels Recovered
On 8/06/06 Environmental Conservation Police Officer Bill Myers was on boating patrol at Pickerel Lake in Colchester. He observed a Jet Ski underway on the lake, which was not displaying a registration or expiration decal. He followed the operator to his dock on the lake where Officer Myers observed a second Jet Ski that also was not displaying a registration or decal. He also observed a 20’ Carvelle powerboat moored at the dock, which did not display a registration or decal. Further investigation and inspection found that all three vessels and three nearby trailers had obliterated, removed, or altered Hull Identification Numbers and Vehicle Identification Numbers. Officer Myers conducted a lengthy and extensive investigation, which confirmed that all three vessels and trailers were stolen. The 43 year-old owner was arrested by warrant on 3/3/07 and charged with 3 counts of Possession of Mutilated, Removed, Vehicle Identification Numbers and two counts of Mooring an Unregistered Vessel. The stolen vessels and trailers were seized and will be returned to the original owners.
Narcotics Arrest
On 3/15/07, Environmental Conservation Police Officer Eric Johnson was on patrol at the Mansfield Hollow State Park Boat Launch where he observed two males sitting in a parked vehicle and another vehicle parked alongside. The second vehicle left the area immediately. The driver of the first vehicle made several quick furtive moves inside the vehicle as Officer Johnson approached on foot. Officer Johnson observed a slingshot in plain view. The occupants said that they had been shooting rocks at park signs. Officer Johnson had the driver exit the vehicle and instructed him to empty his pockets to check for additional weapons. The driver exposed an empty bag, which had contained marijuana. He then checked the inside of the vehicle and found a gym bag that contained 23 baggies of cocaine, a plastic bag with over 1 ounce of cocaine and another bag with 29 baggies of cocaine. Officer Johnson also seized $2230.00 in cash from the driver, who admitted that the drugs were his. He later stated that he did not have a job and sold drugs to support himself. The 29 year-old male was arrested and charged with Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell, and Possession of Cocaine.
WESTERN DISTRICT
Illegal Deer Hunting Warrants
After an extensive investigation concerning the illegal killing of deer, which began in September of 2006, Environmental Conservation Police Officer Tate Begley obtained arrest warrants and charged two New Milford men with violations stemming from the investigation. The charges are the result of evidence that was obtained with search warrants executed in a November 2006 raid in New Milford. One subject was arrested on a warrant issued by GA-18, Litchfield for 1 count of Jack Lighting for Deer, 1 count of Negligent Hunting in the Third Degree, 5 counts of Illegal Killing of Deer, Conspiracy to Commit Interfering with a Police Officer, 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. The subject was held on a $25,000 bond. An additional subject was arrested with an arrest warrant was issued by GA-18 for 1 count of Interfering with a Police Officer and 2 counts of loaning or lending Tags of Deer. The subject was released on a $10,000 bond. A third arrest warrant for related charges was issued by GA-18 for a suspect who remains at large at this time.
Bears
During March, the warm weather brought a significant increase in bear sightings and complaints in the Western District. During March, Environmental Conservation Police received 52 complaints of nuisance bears in various locations in Western Connecticut. Several of the complaints involved bears that attacked domestic livestock and dogs. EnCon Police are working closely with the DEP Wildlife Division to attempt to capture the bears that are posing threats to public safety or domestic animals.
MARINE DISTRICT
Commercial Fishing Violation
On 3/3/07, Environmental Conservation Police Sgt. Ryan Healy and Officer Stan Mieldzioc were patrolling Stonington Harbor by vessel. They observed a commercial lobster boat hauling traps in the harbor and approached it to conduct a boarding. The fisherman had eighteen lobsters on board, but five of them were less than the minimum legal length. The subject also did not have his vessel permit, commercial fishing license or vessel registration on board. The subject was issued a summons for possession of lobsters less than the minimum legal length and was verbally warned for the other violations. The lobsters were seized as evidence.
Suicide Attempt
On 3/3/07, Environmental Conservation Police Officer Todd Chemacki was patrolling Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison. While checking the park, he noticed a vehicle in the West Beach parking lot with a female in the driver’s seat that seemed to be acting violently. A male subject waved to Officer Chemacki and stated he believed the female was having a seizure. Officer Chemacki radioed for an ambulance and went to check the female. The female was incoherent and violently sick. Officer Laura Gregonis arrived on scene and assisted Officer Chemacki with keeping the female’s airway open until the ambulance arrived. Officer Chemacki noticed two bottles of prescription medication next to the female. Ambulance personnel took over care for the female and Officer Chemacki attempted to identify her. While checking the vehicle he found an apparent suicide note. The female was transported to a local medical facility and family members were contacted about her situation.
Assist New York Officers
On 3/23/07, Environmental Conservation Police Capt. Kyle Overturf, Sgt. Tom Bull and Officers Todd Chemacki, Ray Ramos, Jim Kane and Stan Mieldzioc conducted an inspection of the Fulton Fish Market in New York in conjunction with New York EnCon Police Officers. The Connecticut officers met six New York officers at 2 a.m., in the Bronx and went to the new Fulton Fish Market. The New York and Connecticut officers teamed up and inspected the entire facility. They checked for shellfish tagging requirements, possession and size limit compliance for fish and lobster and importation violations. The New York officers made four arrests. Two were for shellfish tagging violations, one was for possession of weakfish during the closed season and one was for possession of cod less than the minimum legal length.
Missing Boater
On 3/28/07, the Environmental Conservation Police were notified by the U.S. Coast Guard of a report of a missing boater in Long Island Sound off of Milford. Sgt. Eric Lundin and Officers Todd Chemacki, Rob Monday and Cindy Schneider responded. A fifty-one year old male had been sailing with two companions on Long Island Sound. The fifty-one year old was operating the sailboat and the two other subjects were asleep below deck. When the two passengers awoke, the operator of the sailboat was missing and the sailboat was adrift. The Coast Guard, State EnCon Police and Bridgeport Police all searched for the missing boater into the night with negative results. The State Police Major Crime Squad is assisting the State EnCon Police in the investigation.
Taser Training
On 3/30/07, nine Marine District sergeants and officers were certified by Capt. Kyle Overturf and Officer Tate Begley as X-26 Taser users. The four-hour training session was conducted at Old Lyme Headquarters. The sergeants and officers were instructed on the taser operating system, its use and division policy. They were able to practice multiple times with the tasers in live fire drills. Seven of the officers volunteered to be exposed to the taser.
--------------------
[url "http://www.ct.gov/dep"]Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection[/url]
[url "http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2695&q=322630&depNav_GID=1649"]Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police[/url]
[url "http://www.necleca.org/"]Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association[/url]
[url "http://www.ctenconpolice.org/"]Connecticut Conservation Officers Association[/url]
[url "http://dep.state.ct.us/olisp/publications/publictrust.htm"]Public Access to Water Information[/url]
[url "http://www.ctfisherman.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/ubb/get_topic/f/38/t/000209.html?"]Captain Raul Camejo[/url]
[signature]