Tag:

Hartford County, CT

Did You Lose A Giant Snake At CT Landmark? Police Want A Word Did You Lose A Giant Snake At CT Landmark? Police Want A Word
Did You Lose A Giant Snake At CT Landmark? Police Want A Word Police in Connecticut are asking for the public's help to track down the people who left a ball python at a reservoir in Hartford County.  Video from the Nepaug Reservoir off Route 202 in Canton showed several people dumping the snake and running away just before 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, Burlington and Canton Animal Control said in a Facebook post. There are several popular hiking and biking trails near the reservoir.  The snake was listed as "young," but was still much too large for this reporter's liking.  Police took the python into custody and are keeping it…
Pyrotechnician Accused Of Having 'Large Cache' Of Commercial Grade Fireworks In CT Basement Pyrotechnician Accused Of Having 'Large Cache' Of Commercial Grade Fireworks In CT Basement
Pyrotechnician Accused Of Having 'Large Cache' Of Commercial Grade Fireworks In CT Basement A Connecticut man was busted with a large trove of commercial grade fireworks in his basement, police said. Hartford County resident Richard Valuk, age 47, of Berlin, turned himself in to Connecticut State Police on an active arrest warrant Friday, Sept. 6. According to police, troopers with the agency’s Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit responded to Valuk’s residence on Friday, Feb. 2, hours after he was hospitalized for an undisclosed medical issue. While at the scene, investigators discovered a “large cache” of illegal, commercial and consumer grade fireworks that were stored in h…
CT Man Accused Of Attempting To Have Sex With Dog CT Man Accused Of Attempting To Have Sex With Dog
CT Man Accused Of Attempting To Have Sex With Dog A 65-year-old Connecticut man has been charged with allegedly attempting to have sex with a dog who belonged to a woman at a senior living facility. Hartford County resident Jose Ramos-Cordero, of New Britain, was arrested by the Farmington Police Department on Monday, Sept. 9, and charged with sexual assault of an animal, burglary, and disorderly conduct.  According to Lt. Matthew Corcoran of the Farmington Police, earlier in the day, the department received a complaint that video showed a maintenance worker at Brookdale Gables, a senior living facility, inside a tenant…
Man Admits To Embezzling $2M From CT 'Good Guy' Gun Store: Feds Man Admits To Embezzling $2M From CT 'Good Guy' Gun Store: Feds
Man Admits To Embezzling $2M From CT 'Good Guy' Gun Store: Feds A Connecticut man faces more than a decade in prison after he admitted to stealing over $2 million from his former employer, authorities said.  Middlesex County resident Evan Bobzin, age 39, of Chester, pleaded guilty to interstate transmission of stolen money and tax evasion, the US Attorney General for Connecticut said.  Bobzin worked as the head of information technology at Hoffman’s Gun Center in the Hartford County city of Newington. The store also goes by the name Hoffman’s Guns For The Good Guys. The prosecutor said Bobzin stole cash from the 2686 Berlin Turnpike…
New Haven Man Busted During Illegal Street Race That Went Badly For Him: Police New Haven Man Busted During Illegal Street Race That Went Badly For Him: Police
New Haven Man Busted During Illegal Street Race That Went Badly For Him: Police Several drivers who tried to put on an illegal street race in Connecticut found out they weren't fast enough to get away from police and ended up furious when their cars were damaged in the attempt, officials said. Police in Hartford County were called to the Route 571 connector, Polish Legion Highway in Berlin very early Sunday, Sept. 1, Connecticut Police said.  Troopers found several vehicles trying to block off the road to hold an illegal underground street race there. Responders started to break up the revving racers before someone was hurt.  But some drivers refused to list…
Wanted Arsonist Found Walking In CT: Police Wanted Arsonist Found Walking In CT: Police
Wanted Arsonist Found Walking In CT: Police A man wanted for starting a fire on the West Coast was found walking along a Connecticut highway on Tuesday, Aug. 27, authorities said.  Robert Parmalee, age 40, of Ritzville, Washington, was arrested on a fugitive from justice warrant and is expected to be extradited to Oregon, where he is wanted on an arson charge, Connecticut State Police said.  Police stopped Parmalee in Hartford County just after 11 a.m. walking alongside Route 20 in Windsor Locks. Officers said they spoke with him out of safety concerns considering where he was walking.  A judge ordered him h…
Man Killed, Woman Injured In Single-Vehicle New Britain Crash, Police Say Man Killed, Woman Injured In Single-Vehicle New Britain Crash, Police Say
Man Killed, Woman Injured In Single-Vehicle New Britain Crash, Police Say A man was killed, and a woman was injured following a one-car crash in Connecticut.  The crash occurred in Hartford County around 9:15 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 29, in the area of Slater Road near Mitchell Street in New Britain. According to New Britain Police spokeswoman Rachel Zaniewski, when officers arrived, they found the unidentified man unresponsive, and he was later pronounced dead by New Britain EMS on the scene. The passenger was alert and conscious but suffered several injuries as a result of the crash and was transported to an area hospital for further treatment, Zaniewski said…
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…
2 Found Dead In CT Home In Apparent Murder-Suicide 2 Found Dead In CT Home In Apparent Murder-Suicide
2 Found Dead In CT Home In Apparent Murder-Suicide Editor's note: A headline on an earlier version of this story had an incorrect location. The incident occurred in East Hartford. A man and a woman were found dead inside a Connecticut home after police received a report of a possible gunshot victim. The incident occurred in Hartford County around 10:32 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 22, on Hilltop Farms Lane in East Hartford. According to East Hartford Police Officer Marc Caruso, when officers arrived, they located a man and a woman inside the home who had both sustained fatal gunshot wounds.   Police also located a firearm close to the …
Famous CT Pizza Restaurant Expanding With New Locations Famous CT Pizza Restaurant Expanding With New Locations
Famous CT Pizza Restaurant Expanding With New Locations Sally’s Apizza, the iconic New Haven restaurant and bar founded by Salvatore “Sally” Consiglio in 1938, is expanding. The restaurant announced a new shop will open in Hartford County in Wethersfield on Thursday, Aug. 29. Located on the ground level of a residential complex, The Borden at 1178 Silas Deane Highway, Sally’s Apizza in Wethersfield marks the first of four Hartford area locations, including Farmington, Newington, and South Windsor. Stein said that in addition to the Hartford locations, a new restaurant will soon open in Fairfield County at the SoNo Mall in South N…
Man Flees Traffic Stop On Busy CT Highway With Troopers Still Holding His License: Police Man Flees Traffic Stop On Busy CT Highway With Troopers Still Holding His License: Police
Man Flees Traffic Stop On Busy CT Highway With Troopers Still Holding His License: Police A 21-year-old man faces a long list of charges after allegedly driving away from authorities during a traffic stop on a busy Connecticut highway and trying to hide from them, police announced.  Hartford County resident Barry Howard of Manchester was arrested on Sunday, Aug. 11 in connection with an incident on the same day that began on Interstate 84 East, Connecticut State Police said on Monday, Aug. 12.  At around 11:50 a.m. on the day of Howard's arrest, a trooper watching traffic on I-84 East near Exit 59 at the Manchester and East Hartford town line saw a brown Volk…
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…
15-Year-Old Rescued After Nearly Drowning At CT Residence 15-Year-Old Rescued After Nearly Drowning At CT Residence
15-Year-Old Rescued After Nearly Drowning At CT Residence Bystanders and emergency responders revived a 15-year-old after being found in the water of a CT apartment complex pool. The incident occurred in Hartford County around 6:45 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 8, at the Concierge Apartments in Rocky Hill. According to Sgt. Jeffrey Foss-Rugan of the Rocky Hill Police, the teen, was found unconscious by bystanders who began performing CPR while calling 911. Responding police officers quickly located the teen and continued medical aid until Rocky Hill Volunteer Ambulance and Aetna Ambulance arrived.  Foss-Rugan said the juvenile regained consciousness…
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…
$1.5M Con: Ex-Employee Admits Defrauding CT Insurance Company $1.5M Con: Ex-Employee Admits Defrauding CT Insurance Company
$1.5M Con: Ex-Employee Admits Defrauding CT Insurance Company A former employee from Pennsylvania admitted to defrauding a Connecticut insurance company to the tune of $1.5 million. James Keating, age 52, of Paoli, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in New Haven federal court on Tuesday, July 30. Prosecutors said Keating – who served as assistant vice president and a surety bond claims handler at Hartford County-based Allied World Insurance Company in Farmington – created a shell company to bill Allied World for unnecessary claims work that was never performed. Between 2017 and 2021, he also solicited and received kickbacks from Allied World…
Wife Convicted Of Killing UConn Professor, Hiding Body Found Dead At CT Home Before Sentencing Wife Convicted Of Killing UConn Professor, Hiding Body Found Dead At CT Home Before Sentencing
Wife Convicted Of Killing UConn Professor, Hiding Body Found Dead At CT Home Before Sentencing The wife of a University of Connecticut professor who admitted to killing her husband and hiding his body for several months to keep cashing his paychecks was found dead at her home on her sentencing day, police announced.  Hartford County resident Linda Kosuda-Bigazzi, age 76, of Burlington, was found dead at her Smith Lane home on Wednesday, July 24, Connecticut State Police announced.  According to authorities, just after 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, state troopers were told that no one had been able to make contact with Kosuda-Bigazzi at her home. After the trooper's attempts…
Fatal Crash: 44-Year-Old ID'd As Victim After Being Ejected From Car On CT Roadway Fatal Crash: 44-Year-Old ID'd As Victim After Being Ejected From Car On CT Roadway
Fatal Crash: 44-Year-Old ID'd As Victim After Being Ejected From Car On CT Roadway One person was killed after being ejected from his vehicle in an early-morning Connecticut crash. It happened just before 3 a.m. Saturday, July 20, in Hartford County on northbound I-91 in Rocky Hill. According to Connecticut State Police, a 2008 Nissan Versa was traveling near Exit 24 when it veered into the right shoulder and hit a guardrail. The driver, Middlesex County resident Marcos Benitez Rengifo, age 44, of the town of Portland, was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. After that crash, police say a 2018 Acura collided with the disabled Nissan in t…
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…
These CT Eateries Named Best Restaurants For Wine, New Rankings Say These CT Eateries Named Best Restaurants For Wine, New Rankings Say
These CT Eateries Named Best Restaurants For Wine, New Rankings Say Several Connecticut restaurants are the cream of the crop when it comes to their wine offerings, according to new rankings released by Wine Spectator. A total of 36 eateries were recognized as winners of the 2024 Restaurant Awards released by Wine Spectator, a publication that serves as a leading authority on wine. The restaurants named as winners of the awards, which were made public on Tuesday, June 25, are (by county):  Fairfield County: L'Escale Restaurant, Greenwich; Tony's at the J House, Riverside; Barcelona Wine Bar, Stamford; The Restaurant At Rowayton Seafood, …
Popular, Sometimes Wild, CT Bar & Grill To Close For Good Popular, Sometimes Wild, CT Bar & Grill To Close For Good
Popular, Sometimes Wild, CT Bar & Grill To Close For Good A popular and sometimes wild Connecticut bar and grill has announced it will close for good this week. 75 Center, located in Hartford County in Southington, made the announcement on Facebook saying their last day of business will be Wednesday, July 3. "To our loyal and dear customers. Thank you for the years of memories, friendships, and celebrations along the way. Due to unfortunate circumstances we are going to be locking our doors Wednesday July 3rd for the last time.. The staff invites all of you to come down, have a drink, share some laughs, and, as always, have a great time! We will b…
CT Man Charged Following Armed Road Rage on I-95 CT Man Charged Following Armed Road Rage on I-95
CT Man Charged Following Armed Road Rage on I-95 A Connecticut man was charged with threatening with a firearm during an alleged road rage incident on I-95. The incident occurred in Middlesex County around 8:20 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, southbound on I-95 in Old Saybrook. According to the Connecticut State Police, troopers responded to a report of a firearm displayed during a road rage incident in Old Saybrook. During an investigation, victims reported repeated brake-checking and abrupt lane changes by a vehicle driven by Dejon Robinson, age 30, of Hartford County in Bristol, state police said. State police said the operator of the veh…
Popular CT Restaurant Closes After 30 Years: 'All Good Things Must Come To An End' Popular CT Restaurant Closes After 30 Years: 'All Good Things Must Come To An End'
Popular CT Restaurant Closes After 30 Years: 'All Good Things Must Come To An End' A popular Connecticut restaurant that has served thousands of devoted customers has closed for good after 30 years. Hartford County staple Staropolska Restaurant, located in New Britain on Broad Street, announced on Facebook on Tuesday, June 25, that they would close permanently.  "It is with a heavy heart that we share with you that after 30 wonderful years of culinary creativity, we have decided not to re-open Staropolska Restaurant," wrote owners Margaret and Bogdan Malinowski.  The Polish eatery has been closed since a fire in the basement on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. Th…
2 Pedestrians Hit, 1 Killed in CT, Driver Remains At Scene 2 Pedestrians Hit, 1 Killed in CT, Driver Remains At Scene
2 Pedestrians Hit, 1 Killed in CT, Driver Remains At Scene Two pedestrians were hit, and one was killed by a vehicle at a busy Connecticut intersection.  The crash occurred in Hartford County in Bristol around 4:15 a.m., Monday, June 24, in the area of Pine Street (Route 72) and Emmett Street. According to Lt. Patrick Krajewski of the Bristol Police, officers from the patrol division administered life-saving measures until EMS arrived on the scene to take over care. Both pedestrians were transported to area hospitals, where one pedestrian died, Krajewski said.  The victims are not being identified at this time, …
First Day Of Summer 'Freebies' To Cool You Off From Soaring Temps First Day Of Summer 'Freebies' To Cool You Off From Soaring Temps
First Day Of Summer 'Freebies' To Cool You Off From Soaring Temps As temperatures soar across Connecticut on the first day of Summer, smart business owners across the state are offering free items to cool off, including bottled water and vanilla milkshakes. According to the National Weather Service, the heat index is expected to reach 101 degrees on Thursday, June 20, in Hartford County, while other areas of the state will bake with temperatures in the upper 90s to nearly 100 degrees. To help cool off and stave off heat stroke, cities and towns have opened cooling centers, including in Fairfield County in Bridgeport.  Meanwhile, savvy business owner…
Construction Worker Killed By Reckless Driver On CT Roadway, Police Say Construction Worker Killed By Reckless Driver On CT Roadway, Police Say
Construction Worker Killed By Reckless Driver On CT Roadway, Police Say A Connecticut man is being held on a $1 million bond after hitting and killing a construction worker in a crash while allegedly driving recklessly.  Hartford County resident Jose Diaz-Nieves, age 54, of East Hartford, was killed around 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, June 12, after being hit by a vehicle driven by 25-year-old Tommy Nguyen, of Hartford. According to Lt. Aaron Boisvert of the Hartford Police, patrol officers responded to the area of West Boulevard at South Whitney Street on a report of a construction worker struck by a vehicle.  Officers located Diaz-Nieves, who s…
33-Year-Old ID'd As Victim Of Multi-Vehicle CT Crash 33-Year-Old ID'd As Victim Of Multi-Vehicle CT Crash
33-Year-Old ID'd As Victim Of Multi-Vehicle CT Crash A 33-year-old Connecticut man was killed in a three-vehicle crash on I-91. The collision occurred in Hartford County around 11:20 p.m., Monday, June 10, in the northbound lane south of Exit 38 in Windsor. According to Connecticut State Police, Jonathan Scott Schlagel, of Enfield, was driving a 2000 Triumph Sprint RS when he hit the rear of a 1999 Dodge Ram 3500. Schlagel was ejected from the motorcycle, state police said. He was then struck by a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV that was behind the pickup truck and the motorcycle. State police said Schlagel suffered injuries "not compatible …
Alleged Kidnapper Hits Ambulance, Multiple Police Car During Chase In CT: Police Alleged Kidnapper Hits Ambulance, Multiple Police Car During Chase In CT: Police
Alleged Kidnapper Hits Ambulance, Multiple Police Car During Chase In CT: Police A 31-year-old man was arrested on a myriad of charges after he allegedly kidnapped a woman, drove under the influence, hit an ambulance, and drove off, leading to a police chase. The Hartford County series of events took place on Thursday, June 6 in East Windsor. According to the Connecticut State Police, 31-year-old Ryan Gilbert was driving on the Exit 44 ramp merging onto I-91 southbound. As he switched lanes, Gilbert allegedly swiped the passenger side of an ambulance and drove off. Authorities noticed that there was a seemingly-distressed female passenger in the car. Believing h…
CT Man Seriously Injured After Deer Flies Through Windshield CT Man Seriously Injured After Deer Flies Through Windshield
CT Man Seriously Injured After Deer Flies Through Windshield A 62-year-old Connecticut man suffered serious injuries after a deer hit by his car crashed through the windshield, striking him. The incident occurred in Hartford County on I-384 near Exit 4 around 7:30 a.m., Thursday, June 6, in Manchester. According to Connecticut State Police, the New London County resident of Lebanon was traveling westbound on I-384 in the left lane of three when a deer ran into the roadway directly in front of the 2012 Honda Civic. The Civic hit the deer, causing it to smash through the windshield and strike the driver, causing serious injuries, state police sai…
Support Floods In For Family Of Trooper Killed In CT Hit-Run Support Floods In For Family Of Trooper Killed In CT Hit-Run
Support Floods In For Family Of Trooper Killed In CT Hit-Run After the tragic death of a Connecticut State Police Trooper, the community has rallied together to support his wife and their two young children. Trooper Aaron Pelletier, age 34, was killed on Thursday, May 30, on I-84 in Hartford County. Aaron was near Exit 31 in Southington, standing at the driver’s side door of a vehicle he had just pulled over when he was struck and killed by a passing driver. Earlier Report: Arrest Made In Trooper's Hit-Run Death In Southington “The grief and sadness caused by Aaron’s sudden death cannot be properly expressed in words,” wrote Troop H, whom…
Adult Male Bear Shot, Killed By CT Business Owner In Self-Defense Adult Male Bear Shot, Killed By CT Business Owner In Self-Defense
Adult Male Bear Shot, Killed By CT Business Owner In Self-Defense A Connecticut business owner who was cleaning up trash from around a garbage dumpster shot and killed a bear that approached him. The incident occurred in Hartford County early Monday, June 3, in Canton. Paul Copleman, spokesman for the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, said the bear, an adult male, had gotten into the "unsecured" dumpster. The business owner, who was not named, was cleaning up the mess when the bear returned.  Copleman said wildlife personnel and EnConn police responded to the scene.  He did not release details regarding the shootin…
Jennifer Dulos Case: Estranged Husband's Girlfriend Sentenced To Prison Jennifer Dulos Case: Estranged Husband's Girlfriend Sentenced To Prison
Jennifer Dulos Case: Estranged Husband's Girlfriend Sentenced To Prison Michelle Troconis, the girlfriend of the estranged husband of the murdered Connecticut mother of five, Jennifer Farber Dulos, has been sentenced to years in prison. 'My Mother Was Everything To Me': Jennifer Dulos' Children Speak Out For First Time Stamford/Norwalk State Attorney Paul J. Ferencek announced Friday, May 31, that Troconnis, age 49, formerly of Hartford County in Farmington, was sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison, suspended after 14 ½ years served, for conspiring to murder Jennifer Farber Dulos in May 2019 and then covering up the crime. Troconis faced 50 years in pr…