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Tolland County, CT

Alert Issued For Missing 28-Year-Old CT Man Alert Issued For Missing 28-Year-Old CT Man
Alert Issued For Missing 28-Year-Old CT Man Authorities are asking for the public's help in finding a 28-year-old man who went missing in Connecticut.  Gregory Stearns was last seen in the Tolland County town of Mansfield on Monday, Nov. 18, according to Connecticut State Police.  Stearns is described as a white man who is 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair. He was seen wearing a dark hat, blue hoodie, dark pants, and black sneakers when he disappeared. However, police said he may have lost some layers of clothing, as he was last seen wearing gray shorts, a white t-shirt, and no shoes.  A…
CT Mom Left 4 Young Kids Alone In 'Deplorable' Home While She Went To NY: Police (Updated) CT Mom Left 4 Young Kids Alone In 'Deplorable' Home While She Went To NY: Police (Updated)
CT Mom Left 4 Young Kids Alone In 'Deplorable' Home While She Went To NY: Police (Updated) A 40-year-old Connecticut mother is accused of leaving her four children — ages 11, 6, 4, and 3 — alone in an apartment filled with trash, feces, and filth with no food or clothing while she went to New York, authorities said.  Lindsey Powell, of Vernon in Tolland County, was arrested and charged on Monday, Nov. 18, with four counts of risk of injury to a minor, police said. Vernon police were called to a home on Terrace Drive on Friday, Nov. 8, for a welfare check, and they found four of Powell's young children unsupervised, officials said. Three of the children were naked and th…
200-Year-Old Historic CT Home That Belonged To Famed Figure Hits Market For $410K 200-Year-Old Historic CT Home That Belonged To Famed Figure Hits Market For $410K
200-Year-Old Historic CT Home That Belonged To Famed Figure Hits Market For $410K For anyone looking to own a piece of Connecticut history, a 200-year-old home that belonged to a famed Nutmegger recently went up for sale.  The Hiram Rider House, a 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home in Tolland County, is listed for sale at $409,900.  The 2,592-square-foot Willington home at 238 Tolland Turnpike was built in 1820 for Hiram Rider "who served as a judge, county sheriff, town Selectman, state representative, and state treasurer," according to Historic Buildings of Connecticut. It remained in the Rider family for multiple generations.  For co…
Suspected Dog Shooter Hit With Gun Charges Suspected Dog Shooter Hit With Gun Charges
Suspected Dog Shooter Hit With Gun Charges A Connecticut man who was investigated for allegedly shooting his neighbor's dog in the face twice earlier this year in Tolland County was arrested on gun charges, police said.  Christopher Joseph, age 48, of Stafford, was charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm and five counts of risk of injury to a minor after police found guns unsecured in his home, authorities said.  Stafford Police began investigating Joseph on March 28 after someone shot his neighbor's dog twice in the face. The dog survived its injuries. The neighbor had multiple security cameras around their Coll…
Wanted Man Runs Away After Crashing Car With His Kids Inside Wanted Man Runs Away After Crashing Car With His Kids Inside
Wanted Man Runs Away After Crashing Car With His Kids Inside A Connecticut town was ordered to stay inside after a man wanted for questioning in an armed robbery crashed his car into a pole and ran away, leaving behind his two children and a woman in the vehicle in Tolland County, authorities said.  Kyle Joseph Fortier, age 33, of Windham, is charged with two counts of risk of injury to a minor, interfering with an officer, and evading responsibility, Connecticut State Police said.  Fortier was driving along Brandy Street in Bolton when he hit a telephone pole near Hanover Farms Road and spun out around 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1., …
Danbury Restaurant Shuts Its Doors After 7 Years: 'It's Been A Pleasure Serving You' Danbury Restaurant Shuts Its Doors After 7 Years: 'It's Been A Pleasure Serving You'
Danbury Restaurant Shuts Its Doors After 7 Years: 'It's Been A Pleasure Serving You' A popular American gastropub in Connecticut has closed its doors for good after seven years in business in Fairfield County.  Owners of Prime Pub in Danbury announced in a Facebook post that it had shuttered earlier this month. Prime Pub's Tolland County location in Somers remains open. To our valued guests and community, we regret to inform you that Prime Pub in Danbury will be closing its doors, with our final day of service on Sunday, October 20th. We want to express our deepest gratitude for your support and patronage over the years. It has been a pleasure serving you, and we …
Secretary Stole $40K From CT High School For Amazon Shopping Sprees: Cops Secretary Stole $40K From CT High School For Amazon Shopping Sprees: Cops
Secretary Stole $40K From CT High School For Amazon Shopping Sprees: Cops Police are accusing a secretary at a Connecticut high school of using the administration's Amazon account to spend more than $40,000 over five years on gifts for herself and other employees at the Tolland County school, authorities said.  Christine Vardanian, age 56, of Marlborough in Hartford County, is charged with first-degree larceny, Connecticut State Police said on Wednesday, Oct. 23. She was later released after posting a $5,000 bail, authorities said.  Vardanian worked as a secretary at RHAM High School and had access to the district's Amazon account. School officials beca…
More Than 100 Animals Seized From Home, 8 Pet Bodies Found In Freezer: Police More Than 100 Animals Seized From Home, 8 Pet Bodies Found In Freezer: Police
More Than 100 Animals Seized From Home, 8 Pet Bodies Found In Freezer: Police Two Connecticut women were arrested this week after police seized more than 100 animals at their home in varying states of care and eight dead animals in their freezer, authorities said.  Kristal Lis is charged with 119 counts of animal cruelty and Sandris Lis, both of Coventry, is facing 19 counts of the charge, Coventry Police said.  Officers went to their 309 Dunn Road home in Tolland County earlier this week after receiving a tip about the number of animals housed there.  Police seized horses, pigs, dogs, cats, rabbits, goats, and various species of birds and fowl f…
Man Dies After Crashing Car, Attempting To Swim Across Pond In Tolland County Man Dies After Crashing Car, Attempting To Swim Across Pond In Tolland County
Man Dies After Crashing Car, Attempting To Swim Across Pond In Tolland County A Connecticut man who crashed his Chevy Malibu and then attempted to swim across a pond to get away died in the water.  The incident occurred in Tolland County around 10 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 6, in Vernon. Vernon Police Lt. Robert Marra said officers responded to the crash on Snipsic Street and East Main Street.  When they arrived, Marra said they found the unoccupied Malibu with significant front-end damage. Officers began to search for the driver. While searching, Marra said officers saw a man attempting to swim across Papermill Pond. They could maintain a visual on …
CT 19-Year-Old Dodge Charger Driver Caught Going Nearly 3 Times Speed Limit: Police CT 19-Year-Old Dodge Charger Driver Caught Going Nearly 3 Times Speed Limit: Police
CT 19-Year-Old Dodge Charger Driver Caught Going Nearly 3 Times Speed Limit: Police A 19-year-old man faces a reckless driving charge after he was seen allegedly navigating a wet, curvy Connecticut roadway at high speeds, police announced.  Tolland County resident Dylan Roy of Mansfield was arrested on Tuesday, Aug. 20 following a traffic stop conducted in Mansfield, Connecticut State Police announced on Wednesday, Aug. 21.  According to authorities, at around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, a trooper saw a white Dodge Charger SXT going east on Chaffeeville Road. The Charger was allegedly going between 80 and 90 miles per hour in a 30-mile-per-hour zone. Police also …
CT Teen Killed After Crashing Car Into Tree CT Teen Killed After Crashing Car Into Tree
CT Teen Killed After Crashing Car Into Tree A 19-year-old Connecticut woman was killed over the weekend after she crashed into a tree in Hartford County, authorities announced. Tolland County resident Makayla Theriaque, of Vernon, was identified as the victim in a Sunday evening, Aug. 25, crash in Manchester, police said.  Officers were called to 233 Buckland Hills Drive for reports of a car crashing into a tree, Manchester police said.  Paramedics rushed Theriaque, who was behind the wheel, to an area hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.  Manchester police are investigating the crash. Authorities a…
Support Pours In For Family Of Swimming Pool Company Van Driver Killed In CT Crash Support Pours In For Family Of Swimming Pool Company Van Driver Killed In CT Crash
Support Pours In For Family Of Swimming Pool Company Van Driver Killed In CT Crash Community members are coming together to support the family of a 37-year-old man killed in a crash on a busy Connecticut roadway.  The effort came following a crash in Tolland County on Tuesday, Aug. 13, when two vehicles collided on Route 32 (River Road) in the town of Willington near the intersection with Battye Road, according to Connecticut State Police.  Willington resident Fred Viets, who had been driving a Ram van owned by Vernon-based Juliano's Pools, LLC, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, police said.  Earlier Report - 37-Year-…
CT Man Nabbed Driving 118 MPH On I-84, Police Say CT Man Nabbed Driving 118 MPH On I-84, Police Say
CT Man Nabbed Driving 118 MPH On I-84, Police Say A Connecticut man was nabbed allegedly driving 118 mph in a 65 mph zone on a busy interstate roadway. The incident occurred in Tolland County at 9:40 p.m., Monday, Aug. 12, in the eastbound lanes of I-84 in Vernon near Exit 66. According to the Connecticut State Police, a trooper assigned to Troop C in Tolland was engaged in proactive traffic enforcement efforts on I-84 when he spotted a white Toyota Camry traveling at a high rate of speed in the left lane of three.  State police said that using his laser, the trooper determined that the Toyota was traveling at 118 mph in a posted 65 …
37-Year-Old Man Killed After Swimming Pool Company Van Hits Truck On CT Road 37-Year-Old Man Killed After Swimming Pool Company Van Hits Truck On CT Road
37-Year-Old Man Killed After Swimming Pool Company Van Hits Truck On CT Road A man was killed after a swimming pool company's van crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic and hit a truck on a busy Connecticut roadway, police said.  New, updated report - Support Pours In For Family Of Swimming Pool Company Van Driver Killed In Willington Crash The crash happened in Tolland County on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at around 5:30 p.m., when two vehicles collided on Route 32 (River Road) in the town of Willington near the intersection with Battye Road, Connecticut State Police announced on Wednesday, Aug. 14. According to authorities, a Ram van owned by Vernon-based Julia…
Alleged Stalker Scares Woman, Daughters At CT Target, Police Say Alleged Stalker Scares Woman, Daughters At CT Target, Police Say
Alleged Stalker Scares Woman, Daughters At CT Target, Police Say A 55-year-old Connecticut man was held overnight after turning himself in to police on charges of stalking a woman and her two daughters. The incident occurred in Hartford County at the Target store on Sunday, July 14, in South Windsor. According to Sgt. Mark Cleverdon of the South Windsor Police, a woman, and her two adult daughters came to police headquarters to report that a strange man had followed them through the store. They were scared enough to ask a Target employee to escort them to their car in the parking lot. Cleverdon said that while in the parking lot, a vehicle driven by Tol…
4 Caught With K9's Help After Crashing Stolen Vehicle On Busy CT Roadway, Police Say 4 Caught With K9's Help After Crashing Stolen Vehicle On Busy CT Roadway, Police Say
4 Caught With K9's Help After Crashing Stolen Vehicle On Busy CT Roadway, Police Say Four teenagers face criminal charges after allegedly flipping a stolen vehicle on a busy roadway in Connecticut and leading police on a chase, authorities announced.  The events leading up to the arrests began on Tuesday, July 30 around 3 a.m., when a stolen vehicle was reported to be traveling on Route 101 in Rhode Island and heading towards Windham County, according to Connecticut State Police. Soon, the vehicle entered the state and crashed in the area of 771 Hartford Pike (Route 101) in Killingly.  Once state troopers arrived at the crash scene, they found an abandoned, damag…
11-Year-Old, Teen Crash Stolen Jeep In CT 11-Year-Old, Teen Crash Stolen Jeep In CT
11-Year-Old, Teen Crash Stolen Jeep In CT An 11-year-old and a 16-year-old were charged with stealing a Jeep Compass in Connecticut and then fleeing after being spotted by State Police before crashing into another vehicle head-on. The incident began in Windham County on Tuesday, July 30, around 7 a.m. in Willimantic. According to Connecticut State Police, the Willimantic Police Department contacted them to advise that the stolen 2019 Jeep was last seen heading north on Route 32 in Tolland County near Mansfield. Troopers spotted the vehicle traveling northbound on Route 32 through Mansfield and into Willington. At that point, a tro…
Fatal Crash: 38-Year-Old Found By Guardrail With Leg Injury In CT Fatal Crash: 38-Year-Old Found By Guardrail With Leg Injury In CT
Fatal Crash: 38-Year-Old Found By Guardrail With Leg Injury In CT A bicyclist died in the hospital after being found injured next to a guardrail following a crash in Connecticut, police announced.  The events leading to the man's death began in Tolland County on Sunday, July 21 around 1 p.m., when a passerby saw an unattended bicycle against a guardrail at 667 Wall St. (Route 316) in Hebron.  According to Connecticut State Police, the passerby then saw a man next to the guardrail almost into the woods with a severe leg injury. The good Samaritan tried helping the man by applying a tourniquet to his legs until first responders could arrive, …
Drunk, Machete-Carrying Driver Among Duo Nabbed In CT Traffic Stop, Police Say Drunk, Machete-Carrying Driver Among Duo Nabbed In CT Traffic Stop, Police Say
Drunk, Machete-Carrying Driver Among Duo Nabbed In CT Traffic Stop, Police Say A suspected drunk driver was among two men reportedly carrying machetes who were arrested following a highway traffic stop in Connecticut, police said. Connecticut State Police said parkgoers in Tolland County called 911 at around 3 p.m. Monday, July 15, about two men seen carrying machetes and stumbling in a wooded area in Columbia, near Recreation Fields on Hennequin Road. The men then drove off and witnesses provided troopers with a description of their vehicle. Police spotted them a short time later allegedly driving recklessly on Middletown Road (Route 66) and pulled them over. Durin…
CT Man, 60, Assaults Boy Multiple Times, Police Say CT Man, 60, Assaults Boy Multiple Times, Police Say
CT Man, 60, Assaults Boy Multiple Times, Police Say The 14-year-old victim of a now-arrested Connecticut man told authorities he was sexually assaulted an estimated 20 times. Scott Predom, a Middlesex County man, was arrested on Tuesday, July 9 on charges of sexual assault and more following a Tolland County investigation, police announced. Predom, a 60-year-old who hails from Middletown, is accused of inappropriately touching a 14-year-old boy, who was 13 at the time the assaults occurred. According to his arrest warrant, the situation was brought to the attention of police when, in February 2024, a relative of the victim noticed inappro…
Fatal Crash: CT 65-Year-Old ID'd As Victim On I-84 Fatal Crash: CT 65-Year-Old ID'd As Victim On I-84
Fatal Crash: CT 65-Year-Old ID'd As Victim On I-84 A person was killed after being struck by a car in an early morning crash on a stretch of I-84 in Connecticut involving three Long Island residents. It happened around 5:10 a.m. Saturday, July 13, in Tolland County. A 2010 Nissan Altima was traveling eastbound in the right-center lane between exits 65 and 66 in the town of Vernon when it struck a pedestrian who was lying in the travel lane for unknown reasons, according to Connecticut State Police. The pedestrian, identified as John Kaszowski, age 65, of Manchester, suffered fatal injuries.  The Nissan was being d…
Severe Storm Knocks Out Power To Thousands In Connecticut Severe Storm Knocks Out Power To Thousands In Connecticut
Severe Storm Knocks Out Power To Thousands In Connecticut Tens of thousands are without power after a severe storm swept through the Northeast overnight. At around 7;15 a.m. Thursday, June 27, a total of around 48,000 customers in Connecticut are without electricity, according to poweroutage.us. Most of the outages are in Hartford and Litchfield counties, with a combined 33,808. Here's a breakdown by counties in the state: Hartford - 21,009 Litchfield - 12,799 Middlesex - 4,886 Windham - 4,099 Tolland - 2,300 Fairfield - 1,290 New Haven - 1,160 New London - 223 Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
19-Year-Old Nabbed After Assaulting Young Teen At CT Park, Police Say 19-Year-Old Nabbed After Assaulting Young Teen At CT Park, Police Say
19-Year-Old Nabbed After Assaulting Young Teen At CT Park, Police Say A 19-year-old man faces assault charges after allegedly confronting and punching a 14-year-old victim at a Connecticut park, police announced. The events leading up to the arrest began in Tolland County on Saturday, June 15, just after 4:30 p.m., when a disturbance and assault was reported at Olympic Park in Stafford, Connecticut State Police announced on Monday, June 17.  According to authorities, responding troopers found an uninjured 14-year-old victim who said they were not injured and that the suspect had run into the woods before police arrived.  An adult witness at the sce…
Man Runs Drug Operation, Unlicensed Repair Shop Out Of CT Home, Police Say Man Runs Drug Operation, Unlicensed Repair Shop Out Of CT Home, Police Say
Man Runs Drug Operation, Unlicensed Repair Shop Out Of CT Home, Police Say A search of a Connecticut man’s home reportedly unveiled not only an unlicensed repair shop but uncovered an operation to manufacture crack cocaine, ketamine, and more. The Tolland County incident occurred on Tuesday, June 4 in the town of Somers. According to police, a search warrant was executed for 53-year-old Randy Matthew Guyette’s Hall Hill Road home. Originally, authorities suspected that Guyette was running an unlicensed auto repair business. However, upon arrival, Guyette was allegedly found to also be in charge of a drug operation. Ketamine, crack cocaine, and prescription…
Man Walks Out Of CT Pizzeria With Bloody Knife After Stabbing Victim Inside, Police Say Man Walks Out Of CT Pizzeria With Bloody Knife After Stabbing Victim Inside, Police Say
Man Walks Out Of CT Pizzeria With Bloody Knife After Stabbing Victim Inside, Police Say A 36-year-old man was apprehended outside of a Connecticut pizzeria after stabbing a victim inside the eatery's bathroom, police said.  The incident happened in Tolland County on Wednesday, June 5 just after 10:30 p.m., when a man was reported to be armed with a knife at Andover Pizza at 130 Jonathan Trumbull Hwy. (Route 6), according to Connecticut State Police. Arriving troopers saw Middlesex County resident Samuel Bitcon of Portland walk out of the pizzeria while holding a bloody knife and drew their weapons, ordering him to drop the weapon. After he complied, he was detained, polic…
I-84 Wrong-Way Driver Accused Of Being Under Influence I-84 Wrong-Way Driver Accused Of Being Under Influence
I-84 Wrong-Way Driver Accused Of Being Under Influence A motorist driving the wrong way on a stretch of I-84 was under the influence, Connecticut State Police say. At about 4:30 a.m. Saturday, May 25, Troop C in Tolland County received several 911 calls reporting a vehicle with its hazard lights illuminated, traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes near Exit 68 in the town of Tolland. As responding troopers were traveling on I-84 eastbound in that area, they observed a vehicle matching the description provided traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes.  Troopers then located the accused vehicle, a silver Honda Crosstour, parked on…
Attempted Carjacking: Pair Grab, Drag Woman Along I-84 In CT, Police Say Attempted Carjacking: Pair Grab, Drag Woman Along I-84 In CT, Police Say
Attempted Carjacking: Pair Grab, Drag Woman Along I-84 In CT, Police Say Two men have been arrested on charges including robbery after they allegedly threw a woman to the ground in an attempt to steal her car. The Tolland County incident occurred on Thursday, May 23 in Vernon. According to Connecticut State Police, the two men — Emmanuel Nina-Saldana, age 21, and Bryan Saldana, age 20 — were tailgating a woman driving a Porsche SUV as she drove east on I-84 just after 4:30 p.m. The victim, who was not named, pulled over past Exit 67 to let the two men pass. However, they pulled up behind her instead. She got out of her vehicle with her keys and purse, as d…
Man Kidnaps, Holds Woman At Knife-Point In CT, Police Say Man Kidnaps, Holds Woman At Knife-Point In CT, Police Say
Man Kidnaps, Holds Woman At Knife-Point In CT, Police Say A Connecticut man is facing multiple charges, including assault and kidnapping, after he allegedly held a family member captive for hours. The Tolland County incident began on the night of Tuesday, May 7 in the town of Willington. According to Connecticut State Police, a woman went to visit 29-year-old Jonathan Yokabaskas, her relative, where he lived in a tent off Ruby Road. While visiting his campsite, Yokabaskas allegedly threatened to kill her during an argument and would not let her leave, physically forcing her to the ground to stop her from leaving. Police said that when she t…
Frat President Assaults, Chokes Prospective Member In CT During Initiation, Police Say Frat President Assaults, Chokes Prospective Member In CT During Initiation, Police Say
Frat President Assaults, Chokes Prospective Member In CT During Initiation, Police Say The 23-year-old president of a University of Connecticut fraternity faces charges after allegedly assaulting and choking a prospective new member during his initiation process, police announced. Tolland County resident David Vallejo of Willington was arrested on Friday, May 3 on charges connected to his alleged assault of a potential new fraternity member during his initiation process, Connecticut State Police announced on Tuesday, May 7. According to Vallejo's arrest warrant, the events leading to the arrest began in early February 2024, when the victim, a University of Connecticut st…
Man Charged With Wolcott Killing Now Nabbed For Sex Assault Man Charged With Wolcott Killing Now Nabbed For Sex Assault
Man Charged With Wolcott Killing Now Nabbed For Sex Assault A Connecticut man who is charged with manslaughter for allegedly running over and killing a woman on purpose has been arrested again for an alleged sexual assault. The assault occurred in Tolland County in August 2023 in the parking lot of a Coventry commercial business. According to Coventry Police, James Sadlowski, age 31, with no address known, was charged on Tuesday, April 30, after a lengthy investigation into the sexual assault. Coventry Police said the victim had only met Sadlowski that evening. He was identified with the assistance of the Cromwell and Wolcott Police, along with con…
Fire Breaks Out At Popular CT State Park Fire Breaks Out At Popular CT State Park
Fire Breaks Out At Popular CT State Park A brush fire left areas of a well-hiked Connecticut state park blackened and charred.  The blaze happened in Tolland County on Saturday, April 27, when a brush fire began at Bolton Notch State Park in the town of Bolton.  According to the Town of Vernon Fire Department, which helped fight the fire, the blaze began in the area known as the "Painted Rock," a well-traveled section of the park.  Firefighters used a drone and utility task vehicles during the fight against the blaze, which was eventually put out successfully.  "A lot of hard work was done by some fantastic m…