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Saturday, feb 1
Police & Fire
Waterbury Teen Shot In Broad Daylight Attack; Expected To Survive
Police are investigating the midday shooting of a 17-year-old boy in Connecticut on Friday, Jan. 31. Officers were called to the intersection of Congress Avenue and Washington Avenue in Waterbury around 1:30 p.m. after reports of gunfire. They found the teenager suffering from a gunshot wound, and paramedics rushed him to an area hospital, police said. Doctors determined the injury was not life-threatening. Police believe the shooting was an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the community. Investigators are asking for the public's help. They urge anyone with information to call …
Police & Fire
Milford Man, His 'Mules' Scammed $50K Worth Of iPhones Through Insurance Scheme: Police
A Connecticut man accused of running an elaborate $50,000 iPhone insurance scam was arrested this week after a months-long investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, authorities said. Esmaylin Delacruz, 37, of Milford, was taken into custody Thursday, Jan. 30, and charged with conspiracy to commit larceny, first-degree larceny, and insurance fraud, Connecticut State Police said. Investigators say Delacruz used a network of "mules" to open accounts with multiple wireless carriers and file fraudulent claims to obtain new Apple iPhones. Those devices, police said, were later fu…
Police & Fire
Waterbury Man Claimed He ‘Found’ Starving Dog In Naugatuck — Turns Out It Was His: Police
A 37-year-old Connecticut man who pretended to be a hero by saving a "stray" dog was actually its abuser, authorities said. Julio Galindez-Rivera, of Waterbury, was arrested after bringing a Chihuahua to Naugatuck Animal Control, claiming he had found it wandering the streets. The dog was half-starved, malnourished, and neglected to the point that its claws were so overgrown and curled they dug into its paws, police said. Under Naugatuck Animal Control policy, Galindez-Rivera had to fill out a form stating he didn’t know the dog’s owner. That was a lie, police said. The emaciated animal b…
Police & Fire
Everywhere ICE Agents Have Been Spotted In CT; What To Know About Raids, Your Rights
As President Donald Trump pushes ahead with his controversial initiative to detain and deport millions of migrants, people across Connecticut have begun reporting on social media where they’ve spotted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. ICE agents have spread out nationwide, arresting more than 5,500 people in the first week of Trump’s presidency, according to ABC News — nearly tripling the number of arrests in an average week during Joe Biden’s term. NBC News reported the agency has a daily quota of 1,250 to 1,500 arrests. However, tracking these arrests and detain…
Police & Fire
2 Seriously Injured In Rollover Crash; CT Police Close Route 8 For Hours
Connecticut State Police shut down a portion of Route 8 in Fairfield County Thursday morning, Jan. 30, after a car careened off the road, rolled over, and hit a utility police. The crash was reported just after 9:30 a.m. in Shelton when the Honda Civic crossed three lanes of traffic and went off the road near Exit 11 Northbound. Both people inside the car were ejected when the vehicle hit the pole, police said. The 31-year-old driver and 32-year-old passenger, both men from Bridgeport, were rushed to Bridgeport Hospital with serious injuries. An update on their condition wa…
Police & Fire
No Plates, No Brakes, No Luck: Reckless Milford Driver’s Wild Ride Ends In Crash, Cuffs
A Connecticut man who mocked police by doing burnouts in front of them before leading a dangerous, high-speed chase was arrested after turning himself in this week, authorities said. Bryan Ramos, 20, of Waterbury, was behind the wheel of a silver 2020 BMW with no license plates when he stopped in front of officers who were helping a stranded driver near Boston Post Road and Home Acres Avenue in Milford around 2:40 a.m. on Nov. 28, officers said. He spun multiple donuts in the road before tearing off at high speed. Police attempted to pull him over, but he refused to stop, Milford authoritie…
Police & Fire
U.S. Figure Skaters Among Dozens Believed Dead In DC Black Hawk, Plane Crash: Reports
Figure skaters, family members, and their coaches were among the 64 people believed dead in a crash between a military helicopter and American Airlines plane in Washington DC on Wednesday, Jan. 29, according to U.S. Figure Skating and rescue officials. At least 27 bodies had been recovered and officials said they did not believe there were any survivors in the crash near Reagan National Airport, Authorities have switched to a "recovery effort," with more than 300 responders battling frigid temps, wind, and icy waters for hours overnight, Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly said o…
Police & Fire
70+ Dead Animals Found Inside Vacant CT Home: Report
More than 70 dead animals were found inside a vacant Connecticut home on Wednesday morning, Jan. 29, according to authorities. Authorities said they found the animals inside a home on River Street in Old Saybrook. A call to Old Saybrook police was not immediately returned. The animals were a menagerie of rabbits, chickens, opossums, cats, a dove, and a skunk, among others, police said in a release. None of the animals were alive. “This morning, we walked in, and it was piled high with trash and dead animal carcasses,” Tanner Orlowski with Clean In Between told WTNH. “When we st…
Police & Fire
Waterbury Felon Who Crashed Into Police Car In Failed Escape Attempt Gets 4 Years: Feds
A 28-year-old Waterbury man was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm, following a dramatic August 2023 arrest. Anfernee D. Dancy, who has a lengthy criminal history, was caught after leading Waterbury Police on a brief chase. Officers tried to stop Dancy’s SUV, but he reversed into one of their cruisers and tried to run away, but didn’t get far, the U.S. Attorney for Connecticut said. Following a struggle, Dancy was taken into custody. Police found a loaded Jimenez Arms 9mm handgun, crack cocaine, a digital scale, and $282 in cash in his car. Dancy,…
Police & Fire
Driver Flashes Gun, Smile In Road Rage Incident On I-95 In CT: Police
A road-rage encounter on I-95 South took a dangerous turn Tuesday morning when a driver allegedly brandished a gun and smirked before speeding off, state police said. The tense moments unfolded around 10:15 a.m. near Exit 19 in Fairfield when a motorist called 911, reporting that another driver had pulled out a firearm during a heated traffic dispute. According to state police, the altercation began when a gray Ford pickup tried to merge into the center lane without enough space, forcing the caller to swerve to avoid a crash. After passing the pickup in slower traffic, the caller noticed th…
Police & Fire
CT Fugitive Wanted for Sex Crimes Against Multiple Children Captured in Georgia: Cops
A Fairfield County man wanted for allegedly having inappropriate contact with multiple juveniles was arrested in Georgia after an intense manhunt led by local and federal authorities, police said. Moises Ruiz, 37, of Norwalk, was tracked to Gwinnett County, Georgia, where he was taken into custody on Jan. 15 by US Marshals, according to the Norwalk Police Department. Detectives from Norwalk’s special victims unit traveled to Georgia on Tuesday, Jan. 28, to extradite Ruiz back to Connecticut. The investigation began in Nov. 2023, when the Connecticut Department of Children and Families file…
Police & Fire
2 West Haven Officers Shot Executing Search Warrant In New Haven; Suspect Killed: Reports
Two West Haven police officers were shot early Wednesday, Jan. 29, while serving warrants in New Haven, reports said. The suspect was killed in a shootout. The officers, whose names and conditions have not been released, were part of a multi-agency task force. They were executing a search warrant at an apartment on Grand Ave. around 5:30 a.m. when gunfire erupted, NBC Connecticut reported. The New Haven police chief will hold a press conference at 1 p.m. to discuss the shooting and provide updates on the officers' conditions. Reports said the unnamed suspect fired multiple shots from insid…
Police & Fire
Man Steals $5,600 In Books Stolen From CT Library: Cops
A Middletown man has been charged in connection with the theft of books valued at approximately $5,600 from the Wethersfield Public Library, police said. Levi Preston, 50, was identified as the suspect after a thorough investigation involving the Wethersfield and West Hartford Police Departments. The theft was first reported by the library director on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, according to the Wethersfield Police Department. An arrest warrant was issued and approved by New Britain Superior Court. Preston was taken into custody on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2025, police said. He has been charged with th…
Police & Fire
Ex-VP Who Stole $1.4M From CT Insurance Firm Sentenced to Prison: Feds
A Pennsylvania man who exploited his role at a Connecticut insurance company to steal more than $1.4 million is heading to federal prison, authorities said. James Keating, 52, of Paoli, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 20 months behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release, for defrauding Allied World Insurance Company out of more than a million dollars. U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden also ordered him to pay back over $1.2 million in restitution. Prosecutors said Keating used his position as a surety bond claims handler at Allied World, which operates out of Farmingt…
Police & Fire
State Investigating Hanging Death Of Man While In Police Custody
State investigators are probing the in-custody death of a 36-year-old man who died while being held at the Stamford Police Department. The Office of Inspector General, in collaboration with Stamford police, confirmed that Jamal Linton was found unresponsive in his cell on Sunday evening, Jan. 26, hours after being arrested on multiple charges, including second-degree assault and strangulation. Linton, who was being held on a $75,000 bond, was discovered at approximately 5:42 p.m., appearing to have hanged himself, authorities said. Officers immediately performed first aid before…
Police & Fire
Police Dog Helps Foil Home Invasion, Capture Suspects After High-Stakes Chase In Milford: Cops
A Connecticut home invasion led to a late-night beach chase, ending with a man and a juvenile in handcuffs thanks to a police dog named Rip, authorities said. Milford police responded to a home on Milford Point Road around 2:45 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24, after reports of an attempted car theft escalated into a home invasion. As officers arrived, they spotted a black BMW speeding away. Responding officers deployed stop sticks near Milford Point Road and Deerwood Avenue, forcing the car to stop. The driver fled on foot, authorities said. Back at the home, two suspects ran out the back door …
Police & Fire
Intoxicated Derby Driver Punches, Spits On Cop During Route 8 Stop: Police
A 28-year-old New Haven County woman who was driving erratically over the weekend attacked troopers who were trying to help her, Connecticut State Police said. Jessica Reyes, of Derby, was arrested late Saturday, Jan. 25, and charged with operating under the influence, improper parking on a highway, interfering with an officer, and two counts of assault on public safety personnel, authorities said. Troopers received a 911 call around 11:50 p.m. reporting a Jeep had driven into the median on southbound Route 8 near Exit 7 in Bridgeport. When officers arrived, they found an SUV parked in the…
Police & Fire
I-684 Crash: Police ID CT Victim Killed, Release Details In Weekend Southeast Collision
Police have released the name of a Connecticut man killed in a fatal crash that shut down lanes on I-684 in Putnam County on Sunday morning, Jan. 26. The two-car crash happened around 7:15 a.m. in the town of Southeast, according to New York State Police. A preliminary investigation determined that a 23-year-old Mount Vernon, NY woman lost control of her vehicle in the northbound lanes, police said. The car struck a guide rail, veered across all lanes of traffic, and collided with another vehicle operated by 65-year-old New Milford resident Michael T. Keller, police said.&n…
Police & Fire
CT Substitute Teacher Sent Inappropriate Messages to Students: Police
A Connecticut substitute teacher is facing multiple charges after allegedly sending inappropriate messages to middle school students in Norwalk, police said. Richard Lovallo, 64, of Stamford, was arrested on Jan. 24, 2025, following an extensive investigation by the Norwalk Police Special Victims Unit. He faces two counts of risk of injury to a minor/impairing morals and two counts of harmful communication with a minor, according to authorities. The investigation began in September 2024 when Norwalk police received a complaint from a local middle school. Police did not identify the school. …
Police & Fire
CT Man, 26, Charged With Shooting Into Car With 2 People Inside
A Fairfield County man has been arrested in connection with a late-night shooting that authorities say sparked a weeks-long investigation involving multiple police departments. Devon Dotson, 26, of Stratford, faces several charges, including criminal attempt at assault in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, carrying a pistol without a permit, weapon in a motor vehicle, and illegal transfer of a firearm, police said. The shooting happened around 1 a.m. on Dec. 30, 2024, when two people told police a white Hyundai Sonata pulled up near them in the 100 block of Dewey S…
Police & Fire
CT Man, 73, Admits To Filming Himself Sexually Abusing Child: Feds
A 73-year-old Connecticut man admitted this week to filming himself sexually abusing a child and sharing it online, federal authorities said. Orlando Guzman, of New Britain, pleaded guilty to child exploitation offenses stemming from his sexual abuse of a minor and sharing and receiving child sexual abuse material, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. Investigators accused Guzman of using private groups online to upload and share photos and videos of child sexual abuse material. From February through August 2022, he reportedly uploaded cellphone videos of himself abusing a…
Police & Fire
CT Man Assaults Officer During Domestic Dispute: Police
A Fairfield County man is facing charges after allegedly shoving a police officer during a domestic disturbance earlier this week. Rosyln Thomas Reed, 39, of New Canaan is charged with interfering with an officer, assault on a public safety official, and disorderly conduct, police said. New Canaan police were called to a home around 8:30 Monday night, Jan. 13, to a report of a dispute. The homeowner told officers that Reed had shown up intoxicated, the report said. Police attempted to de-escalate the situation, but Reed got upset and shoved one of the officers against a w…
Police & Fire
23-Year-Old Killed In Wrong-Way Crash On Route 5/15
A 23-year-old woman was killed earlier this week after driving the wrong way on Route 5/15 northbound and colliding with an oncoming car, authorities said. Kelly Lynn Caldwell, 23, of Vernon, died following a crash around 11:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, near Exit 90 on Route 5/15 in Hartford, Connecticut State Police said. Kelly Lynn Caldwell Facebook/Kelly Lynn Caldwell It remains unclear why she entered the wrong side of the highway, but the crash is under investigation. The driver of the other car, a 31-year-old man from Hartford, suffered minor injuries. Both individuals were tak…
Police & Fire
New Haven Robber Gets 4 Years In 'Coordinated, Brazen,' Violent Bank Heist: Feds
A Connecticut man has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for his role in a meticulously planned and violent bank robbery that shocked Martha’s Vineyard. Romane Andre Clayton, 22, of New Haven, was sentenced in a Boston federal court after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting the November 2022 heist at Rockland Trust Bank in Tisbury, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. Clayton was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. Federal prosecutors described a chilling robbery where bank employees were ambushed as they opened the building. …
Police & Fire
Drunk CT Driver Causes Power Outage, Route 66 Closure After Hitting Utility Pole: Cops
A single-car crash early Thursday morning snapped a utility pole in half, draped power lines across Route 66, and led to the arrest of a local driver for driving under the influence. Gabriel Brown, 26, of East Hampton, was driving a gray Ford Crown Victoria when he crashed into the utility pole around 12:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, near 426 West Main St. in Hebron, Connecticut State Police said. The crash forced authorities to close the highway while crews worked to clear the scene. Brown told responding troopers he wasn’t injured, but officers quickly noticed signs of impairment, including …
Police & Fire
Armed Mass Man Slips Through Capitol Security, Arrested With Gun After Tour: Police
A man carrying a loaded handgun managed to pass through U.S. Capitol security, tour the Visitor Center, and walk through the halls of one of the nation's most secure buildings before being arrested just outside. James A. Faber, 27, believed to be from Carlisle, Massachusetts, was arrested on Tuesday, Jan. 21, after Capitol Police spotted him near his parked car on First Street NE, authorities said. He was carrying a concealed 9mm handgun loaded with unregistered ammunition. Authorities said Faber, who had been flagged earlier as a person in crisis with possible suicidal thoughts, ente…
Police & Fire
Intoxicated Man With Infant In Car Found Passed Out At CT Intersection: Police
A 46-year-old man was found unresponsive behind the wheel of his car in the middle of a Connecticut intersection with a six-month-old infant in the backseat, police said. Officers believe he was high at the time. Jason Perillo, of Woodbury, is charged with operation of a motor vehicle with a child passenger while under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia, and risk of injury to a minor, according to Connecticut State Police. Troopers were called to the intersection of Joshua Hill Rd. and Tuttle Rd. in Woodbury just after 3 p.m. on Jan. 22 after reports of an SUV idling at a stop …
Police & Fire
Woman Locked In Milford Motel For Weeks, Deprived Of Food, Forced Into Sex, Prostitution: Cops
A Connecticut man is facing serious charges after allegedly trafficking and assaulting a woman over several weeks in a Milford motel, police said. Authorities reported that the victim endured repeated abuse before managing to call for help. Ronald Boykin, 65, of Bridgeport, was arrested on Monday, Jan. 20, and charged with sexual assault in the first degree and trafficking in persons, according to Milford police. Officers responded to a motel in Milford after the victim, who was being held in a room, found a way to use a phone to contact authorities, police said. The woman told police that…
Police & Fire
Fentanyl, Heroin Seized In Drug Raid Of Ex-Con's Waterbury Home Where Child Was Present: Cops
A convicted felon with an extensive criminal history is back in custody following a drug raid at a Waterbury apartment that police said turned up crack cocaine, heroin/fentanyl, and more. Jonathan Pabon-Reyes, 33, was arrested on Jan. 17, 2025, when officers from multiple law enforcement units executed a search and seizure warrant at 461 West Main Street, Apartment #8, police said. Units involved included the Waterbury Police Department’s Vice and Intelligence Unit, Crime Prevention Unit, Gang Task Force, Connecticut State Police Violent Crime Task Force, and Auto Theft Unit. Inside …
Police & Fire
Police ID Man Wanted In Fatal Stabbing Outside Waterbury Club
Police have identified a 25-year-old Connecticut man accused of fatally stabbing a rival and seriously injuring another during a violent fight outside a popular New Haven County club. Garrett Piper is wanted on charges of murder, assault, breach of peace, carrying a dangerous weapon, and two counts of reckless endangerment, Waterbury police said. As of Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 22, he remained at large. Original Report: 2 Stabbed Outside Café 457 in Waterbury Officers responded to a report of an assault involving a weapon near Café 457 on West Main Street in Waterbury at about 2 a.…
Police & Fire
Stolen Car Crashes Into Police Cruiser, Uncovers Cache of Stolen Checks in CT
An armed Connecticut carjacking spiraled into a multi-town investigation after the alleged thieves crashed into a police cruiser a week after the heist with stolen checks from multiple area residents inside, authorities said. Dominique Reid, of Bridgeport, and Elijah Holloman, of Weston, were both arrested and charged last week in the heist, Westport police said. On Oct. 3, police spotted the stolen vehicle and started a chase that ended when it slammed into a Wilton police car, disabling the boosted car that had been taken a week earlier. But it was what was inside that sparked…
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