10-31-2007, 09:30 AM
WESTERN DISTRICT
Illegal Fishing Net
On 9/1/07, EnCon Police Sgt Paul O’Connell and Officer Paul Hilli were patrolling Bantam Lake by vessel. Sgt O’Connell checked a fisherman who advised him that earlier in the morning, while fishing the north cove of Bantam Lake, he had tangled his boats propeller in a net situated just east of the Litchfield Town Boat Launch. He advised Sgt O’Connell that there were numerous fish in the net and that there were soda bottles being used as buoys. Sgt O’Connell proceeded to the area and observed green soda bottles floating in the area just east of the Litchfield Town Launch. Approximately 15 minutes later, Sgt O’Connell observed two male subjects in a canoe paddling towards the area of the suspected net then after a few minutes they proceeded to the shoreline, leaving the canoe and appeared to be dragging a heavy object into the bushes. The two subjects got back into the canoe and paddled back out into the lake where Sgt O’Connell stopped them when he observed that they did not have personal flotation devices in the canoe.
The canoe was ordered to shore where the subjects were detained. Sgt O’Connell then went to the shoreline area where the subjects had appeared to be dragging a heavy object into the bushes. Approximately ten feet beyond the shoreline through matted and broken vegetation, Sgt O’Connell found a net that was wet and contained numerous fish, both alive and dead. It was determined that the two subjects had caught 59 fish of 8 different species. There were 26 perch, 13 bullheads, 5 white perch, 1 calico bass, 2 blue gills, 3 Northern Pike, 6 suckers and 3 Alewives. The live fish were returned to the water and the dead fish, net and canoe were seized as evidence. Both subjects were arrested for
Illegal method of harvest, 3 counts of possession of Northern Pike less than legal minimum length and insufficient personal floatation devices.
Drowning at State Park
On 9/3/07, EnCon Police Officers John Hey, Tate Begley and Sean Buckley were on duty in Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield when they were notified of a missing swimmer in the east beach area of the park. The officers all responded to the beach where they determined that a male swimmer had gone underwater several minutes earlier and had not resurfaced. Officers Hey and Begley immediately entered the water and with the help of lifeguards were able to locate the victim, an 18-year-old male from Queens, New York in several feet of water. They assisted in getting the victim onto a backboard and assisted with CPR until the victim was brought to the boat launch where the New Fairfield Ambulance took over care. Officer Begley was treated and released at the hospital for ingesting water into his lungs when he was attempting to save the victim. It was later determined that the victim was swimming with family members when he went under water. The family members searched for the victim for several minutes on their own before they notified lifeguards of the swimmer’s disappearance.
Turkey Hunting Arrest
On 9/22/07, EnCon Police Officers Steve Stanko and Chris Dwyer were dispatched to the town of Weston where Weston Police Officers had discovered a potential turkey hunting violation. Officers Stanko and Dwyer met with two Weston Police Officers and the Weston Animal Control Officer. They determined that at approximately 8 PM two subjects approached a homeowner in Weston and asked to retrieve a deceased wild turkey from the property. The homeowner became concerned as the two were dressed in camouflage and he did not know them. The homeowner called the police who located the subjects in the driveway with a dead turkey. Upon questioning, one of the subjects claimed that he shot the turkey using a bow. When the police officer asked to examine his Connecticut Turkey Permits the subject changed his story and the other subject stated that he shot the turkey. The second subject then produced his Connecticut Turkey Permit and punched out the date. Officer Stanko spoke with the subjects and determined that they were hunting deer from tree stands on private land. Both admitted to baiting the area with feed that is an attractant to both deer and turkey. It is legal to bait and then shoot a whitetail deer in this part of the state, however it is illegal to shoot a wild turkey over bait. One subject stated that he was in his tree stand waiting for a deer and he saw the turkey enter into his range. He shot the turkey, which then ran onto the adjacent property. Upon further questioning, Officer Stanko determined that the second subject, who did not have a turkey permit, actually shot the turkey. Officer Stanko also observed a large quantity of bagged turkey feed in the subject’s vehicles. One subject was arrested for Hunting Wild Turkey over Bait and Hunting Wild Turkey w/o Permits. The second subject was arrested for Hunting Wild Turkey over Bait and Loaning a turkey permit to another.
Suicide Prevented
On 9/26/07, EnCon Police Special Conservation Officer Bob Studwell was patrolling Huntington State Park in Redding. SCO Studwell observed a woman in a kayak on the park pond and determined the woman did not have a PFD. When the woman returned to shore SCO Studwell advised her that he was going to issue her a written warning for not having a PFD on board the kayak and she told him that she didn’t need the life jacket as she was going to kill herself. SCO Studwell called for backup and an officer from the Redding Police arrived. SCO Studwell and the Redding officer were able to convince the woman to voluntarily go to the hospital with the Redding Ambulance for a psychological evaluation.
MARINE DISTRICT
Domestic Violence
On 9/8/07, EnCon Police Captain Kyle Overturf and Officers Laura Gregonis and Karen Reilly responded to I-95 in Madison to assist the State Police with an assault that was occurring in a vehicle that was traveling north on I-95. Capt. Overturf took a post for the described vehicle and stopped it on I-95. Officers Gregonis and Reilly arrived shortly afterwards. Capt. Overturf spoke with a male subject who was the driver of the vehicle and Officers Reilly and Gregonis spoke to a female subject who was the passenger. The female passenger had redness around her face and deep scratches on her neck. The driver of the vehicle had blood on his shirt, fresh cuts to his hands and there was blood on the window and headliner of the vehicle. Both occupants initially claimed that no assault had taken place. Trooper Brown from Troop F arrived on scene and also questioned the female passenger who continued to claim nothing had occurred. Trooper Brown spoke with the complainant who confirmed that an assault had been occurring between the occupants of the vehicle. Based on the witness’ statement and the physical evidence, both subjects were placed under arrest. Trooper Brown transported the male subject to Troop F and Officer Gregonis transported the female subject to Troop F. The female subject subsequently stated that the male subject had struck her repeatedly in the face with his closed fist. Medical attention was obtained for her and she had a broken jaw and nose as a result from the assault.
Minimum Length Violations
On 9/19/07, EnCon Police Officers Harold Lindo and Steve Hajdasz responded to the Dock Road Access Area in Waterford on a complaint of illegal fishing activity. The complaint was that two subjects were taking scup under the minimum legal length. Upon arriving the observed two males fishing that matched the description given by the complainant. The officers made an inspection of the subjects catch and found them to be in possession of thirty-three scup that were less than the minimum 10½-inch legal limit. The subjects also had two black sea bass that were less than the 12- inch legal limit. The subjects were issued infractions for the violations and released.
Bluefish Overbag
On 9/9/07, EnCon Police Officers Laura Gregonis and Karen Reilly responded to the Hammonasset River in Madison on a complaint of fishermen keeping over their limit of bluefish and hiding them in a vehicle. Upon arriving, they observed two subjects fishing and a vehicle parked near them that matched the description given by the complainant. The officers approached the subjects and asked to see their catch. They showed the officers several bunker in a bucket and stated that was all the caught. When the officers asked if there were any fish in the vehicle the subjects admitted there were and retrieved a cooler from the vehicle. Inside the cooler were 47 bluefish. The daily creel limit for bluefish is 10 per person. The subjects were issued citations for the violation and the fish seized.
Waterfowl Arrests
On 9/25/07, EnCon Police Officers Mike Tavares and Ray Ramos responded to the Menunketesuck River on Rt. 145 to assist Troop F with a waterfowl hunting complaint. At the time, only Canada Geese were open for hunting. Upon arriving, they met with the Westbrook Resident Trooper who had observed three subjects on Menunketesuck Island who appeared to be hunting. The resident trooper had observed one of the subjects shooting at passing birds. The three subjects were at a small boat launch off of Rt. 145. They were dressed in camouflage hunting clothing, had three shotguns and a hunting dog with them. The three subjects initially claimed they were training their dog. Officer Ramos noticed several spent shotgun shells and several live rounds that appeared contain lead shot, which is illegal for waterfowl hunting. Officer Ramos continued to question one of the subjects and based on physical evidence that he found on the boat, the subject admitted that they had shot and killed a hen mallard duck. They had hidden the duck on shore as they approached the boat launch and saw the Resident Troopers’ car. The subject also admitted that they had shot at but missed a seagull. The duck was retrieved and all three subjects were arrested and charged with numerous waterfowl hunting violations.
EASTERN DISTRICT
Providing Alcohol to Minors
On 8/31/07 at 11:00 PM, EnCon Police Officers Larry Golet and Eric Johnson were on patrol at Salmon River State Forest in East Hampton where they observed a vehicle exiting a road that was posted closed to motor vehicles. They stopped the vehicle and could smell the odor of alcoholic beverages on the 30 year-old operator. There were four passengers in the vehicle. The officers investigation revealed that the two 16 year-old boys and the 16 and 15 year-old female passengers had all been supplied alcoholic beverages by the driver. The driver was charged with Providing Minors with Alcohol and Risk of Injury to a Minor. The parents of the teens were called to the scene to take them home.
ATV Accident
On 9/2/07, EnCon Police Officer Hans Danielson responded to a reported ATV accident at Pachaug State Forest in Plainfield. At the scene he learned that five people were illegally riding ATV’s in the State Forest and that one of them had struck a large rock and was thrown off of his vehicle. The 19 year-old operator suffered a broken arm and was taken to a local hospital. All five young men were issued infractions for Operating Unregistered ATVs and warned for Operating ATVs on State property.
Deer Hunting Arrest
On 9/15/07 at 8:00 PM, EnCon Police Officer Hans Danielson was checking archery deer hunting activity at Pomeroy State Park in Lebanon when two hunters exited the woods about 1 hour after sunset. One of the hunters said that he had killed a deer. Officer Danielson checked his deer tags and found that none of the tags had been used. The hunter said that he had planned to tag the deer later. The deer was retrieved and seized as evidence along with the archery equipment, and the 37 year-old hunter was charged with Failure to Immediately Tag Deer.
Hunting Deer After Hours
On 9/20/07, EnCon Police Officer Dean Wojcik received a complaint that there may be late hunting activity at Nehantic State Forest in Salem. On 9/21 he located several tree stands in a section of the Forest and put them under surveillance at sunset. He observed an archery hunter in one of the stands with a knocked arrow in his bow after legal shooting hours. The 37 year-old male led Officer Wojcik to his 40 year-old female hunting companion, who was observed holding a bow with arrow knocked hunting from a ground blind after legal shooting hours. Neither hunter had signed their bow hunting tags as required. Both were charged with Hunting Deer After Legal Shooting Hours and Hunting Deer without Valid Tags.
_________________
[url "http://www.ct.gov/dep"][#006699]Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection[/#006699][/url]
[url "http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2695&q=322630&depNav_GID=1649"][#006699]Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police[/#006699][/url]
Captain Raul Camejo
[signature]
Illegal Fishing Net
On 9/1/07, EnCon Police Sgt Paul O’Connell and Officer Paul Hilli were patrolling Bantam Lake by vessel. Sgt O’Connell checked a fisherman who advised him that earlier in the morning, while fishing the north cove of Bantam Lake, he had tangled his boats propeller in a net situated just east of the Litchfield Town Boat Launch. He advised Sgt O’Connell that there were numerous fish in the net and that there were soda bottles being used as buoys. Sgt O’Connell proceeded to the area and observed green soda bottles floating in the area just east of the Litchfield Town Launch. Approximately 15 minutes later, Sgt O’Connell observed two male subjects in a canoe paddling towards the area of the suspected net then after a few minutes they proceeded to the shoreline, leaving the canoe and appeared to be dragging a heavy object into the bushes. The two subjects got back into the canoe and paddled back out into the lake where Sgt O’Connell stopped them when he observed that they did not have personal flotation devices in the canoe.
The canoe was ordered to shore where the subjects were detained. Sgt O’Connell then went to the shoreline area where the subjects had appeared to be dragging a heavy object into the bushes. Approximately ten feet beyond the shoreline through matted and broken vegetation, Sgt O’Connell found a net that was wet and contained numerous fish, both alive and dead. It was determined that the two subjects had caught 59 fish of 8 different species. There were 26 perch, 13 bullheads, 5 white perch, 1 calico bass, 2 blue gills, 3 Northern Pike, 6 suckers and 3 Alewives. The live fish were returned to the water and the dead fish, net and canoe were seized as evidence. Both subjects were arrested for
Illegal method of harvest, 3 counts of possession of Northern Pike less than legal minimum length and insufficient personal floatation devices.
Drowning at State Park
On 9/3/07, EnCon Police Officers John Hey, Tate Begley and Sean Buckley were on duty in Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield when they were notified of a missing swimmer in the east beach area of the park. The officers all responded to the beach where they determined that a male swimmer had gone underwater several minutes earlier and had not resurfaced. Officers Hey and Begley immediately entered the water and with the help of lifeguards were able to locate the victim, an 18-year-old male from Queens, New York in several feet of water. They assisted in getting the victim onto a backboard and assisted with CPR until the victim was brought to the boat launch where the New Fairfield Ambulance took over care. Officer Begley was treated and released at the hospital for ingesting water into his lungs when he was attempting to save the victim. It was later determined that the victim was swimming with family members when he went under water. The family members searched for the victim for several minutes on their own before they notified lifeguards of the swimmer’s disappearance.
Turkey Hunting Arrest
On 9/22/07, EnCon Police Officers Steve Stanko and Chris Dwyer were dispatched to the town of Weston where Weston Police Officers had discovered a potential turkey hunting violation. Officers Stanko and Dwyer met with two Weston Police Officers and the Weston Animal Control Officer. They determined that at approximately 8 PM two subjects approached a homeowner in Weston and asked to retrieve a deceased wild turkey from the property. The homeowner became concerned as the two were dressed in camouflage and he did not know them. The homeowner called the police who located the subjects in the driveway with a dead turkey. Upon questioning, one of the subjects claimed that he shot the turkey using a bow. When the police officer asked to examine his Connecticut Turkey Permits the subject changed his story and the other subject stated that he shot the turkey. The second subject then produced his Connecticut Turkey Permit and punched out the date. Officer Stanko spoke with the subjects and determined that they were hunting deer from tree stands on private land. Both admitted to baiting the area with feed that is an attractant to both deer and turkey. It is legal to bait and then shoot a whitetail deer in this part of the state, however it is illegal to shoot a wild turkey over bait. One subject stated that he was in his tree stand waiting for a deer and he saw the turkey enter into his range. He shot the turkey, which then ran onto the adjacent property. Upon further questioning, Officer Stanko determined that the second subject, who did not have a turkey permit, actually shot the turkey. Officer Stanko also observed a large quantity of bagged turkey feed in the subject’s vehicles. One subject was arrested for Hunting Wild Turkey over Bait and Hunting Wild Turkey w/o Permits. The second subject was arrested for Hunting Wild Turkey over Bait and Loaning a turkey permit to another.
Suicide Prevented
On 9/26/07, EnCon Police Special Conservation Officer Bob Studwell was patrolling Huntington State Park in Redding. SCO Studwell observed a woman in a kayak on the park pond and determined the woman did not have a PFD. When the woman returned to shore SCO Studwell advised her that he was going to issue her a written warning for not having a PFD on board the kayak and she told him that she didn’t need the life jacket as she was going to kill herself. SCO Studwell called for backup and an officer from the Redding Police arrived. SCO Studwell and the Redding officer were able to convince the woman to voluntarily go to the hospital with the Redding Ambulance for a psychological evaluation.
MARINE DISTRICT
Domestic Violence
On 9/8/07, EnCon Police Captain Kyle Overturf and Officers Laura Gregonis and Karen Reilly responded to I-95 in Madison to assist the State Police with an assault that was occurring in a vehicle that was traveling north on I-95. Capt. Overturf took a post for the described vehicle and stopped it on I-95. Officers Gregonis and Reilly arrived shortly afterwards. Capt. Overturf spoke with a male subject who was the driver of the vehicle and Officers Reilly and Gregonis spoke to a female subject who was the passenger. The female passenger had redness around her face and deep scratches on her neck. The driver of the vehicle had blood on his shirt, fresh cuts to his hands and there was blood on the window and headliner of the vehicle. Both occupants initially claimed that no assault had taken place. Trooper Brown from Troop F arrived on scene and also questioned the female passenger who continued to claim nothing had occurred. Trooper Brown spoke with the complainant who confirmed that an assault had been occurring between the occupants of the vehicle. Based on the witness’ statement and the physical evidence, both subjects were placed under arrest. Trooper Brown transported the male subject to Troop F and Officer Gregonis transported the female subject to Troop F. The female subject subsequently stated that the male subject had struck her repeatedly in the face with his closed fist. Medical attention was obtained for her and she had a broken jaw and nose as a result from the assault.
Minimum Length Violations
On 9/19/07, EnCon Police Officers Harold Lindo and Steve Hajdasz responded to the Dock Road Access Area in Waterford on a complaint of illegal fishing activity. The complaint was that two subjects were taking scup under the minimum legal length. Upon arriving the observed two males fishing that matched the description given by the complainant. The officers made an inspection of the subjects catch and found them to be in possession of thirty-three scup that were less than the minimum 10½-inch legal limit. The subjects also had two black sea bass that were less than the 12- inch legal limit. The subjects were issued infractions for the violations and released.
Bluefish Overbag
On 9/9/07, EnCon Police Officers Laura Gregonis and Karen Reilly responded to the Hammonasset River in Madison on a complaint of fishermen keeping over their limit of bluefish and hiding them in a vehicle. Upon arriving, they observed two subjects fishing and a vehicle parked near them that matched the description given by the complainant. The officers approached the subjects and asked to see their catch. They showed the officers several bunker in a bucket and stated that was all the caught. When the officers asked if there were any fish in the vehicle the subjects admitted there were and retrieved a cooler from the vehicle. Inside the cooler were 47 bluefish. The daily creel limit for bluefish is 10 per person. The subjects were issued citations for the violation and the fish seized.
Waterfowl Arrests
On 9/25/07, EnCon Police Officers Mike Tavares and Ray Ramos responded to the Menunketesuck River on Rt. 145 to assist Troop F with a waterfowl hunting complaint. At the time, only Canada Geese were open for hunting. Upon arriving, they met with the Westbrook Resident Trooper who had observed three subjects on Menunketesuck Island who appeared to be hunting. The resident trooper had observed one of the subjects shooting at passing birds. The three subjects were at a small boat launch off of Rt. 145. They were dressed in camouflage hunting clothing, had three shotguns and a hunting dog with them. The three subjects initially claimed they were training their dog. Officer Ramos noticed several spent shotgun shells and several live rounds that appeared contain lead shot, which is illegal for waterfowl hunting. Officer Ramos continued to question one of the subjects and based on physical evidence that he found on the boat, the subject admitted that they had shot and killed a hen mallard duck. They had hidden the duck on shore as they approached the boat launch and saw the Resident Troopers’ car. The subject also admitted that they had shot at but missed a seagull. The duck was retrieved and all three subjects were arrested and charged with numerous waterfowl hunting violations.
EASTERN DISTRICT
Providing Alcohol to Minors
On 8/31/07 at 11:00 PM, EnCon Police Officers Larry Golet and Eric Johnson were on patrol at Salmon River State Forest in East Hampton where they observed a vehicle exiting a road that was posted closed to motor vehicles. They stopped the vehicle and could smell the odor of alcoholic beverages on the 30 year-old operator. There were four passengers in the vehicle. The officers investigation revealed that the two 16 year-old boys and the 16 and 15 year-old female passengers had all been supplied alcoholic beverages by the driver. The driver was charged with Providing Minors with Alcohol and Risk of Injury to a Minor. The parents of the teens were called to the scene to take them home.
ATV Accident
On 9/2/07, EnCon Police Officer Hans Danielson responded to a reported ATV accident at Pachaug State Forest in Plainfield. At the scene he learned that five people were illegally riding ATV’s in the State Forest and that one of them had struck a large rock and was thrown off of his vehicle. The 19 year-old operator suffered a broken arm and was taken to a local hospital. All five young men were issued infractions for Operating Unregistered ATVs and warned for Operating ATVs on State property.
Deer Hunting Arrest
On 9/15/07 at 8:00 PM, EnCon Police Officer Hans Danielson was checking archery deer hunting activity at Pomeroy State Park in Lebanon when two hunters exited the woods about 1 hour after sunset. One of the hunters said that he had killed a deer. Officer Danielson checked his deer tags and found that none of the tags had been used. The hunter said that he had planned to tag the deer later. The deer was retrieved and seized as evidence along with the archery equipment, and the 37 year-old hunter was charged with Failure to Immediately Tag Deer.
Hunting Deer After Hours
On 9/20/07, EnCon Police Officer Dean Wojcik received a complaint that there may be late hunting activity at Nehantic State Forest in Salem. On 9/21 he located several tree stands in a section of the Forest and put them under surveillance at sunset. He observed an archery hunter in one of the stands with a knocked arrow in his bow after legal shooting hours. The 37 year-old male led Officer Wojcik to his 40 year-old female hunting companion, who was observed holding a bow with arrow knocked hunting from a ground blind after legal shooting hours. Neither hunter had signed their bow hunting tags as required. Both were charged with Hunting Deer After Legal Shooting Hours and Hunting Deer without Valid Tags.
_________________
[url "http://www.ct.gov/dep"][#006699]Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection[/#006699][/url]
[url "http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2695&q=322630&depNav_GID=1649"][#006699]Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police[/#006699][/url]
Captain Raul Camejo
[signature]
