Woman Swindled $300K From CT Medicaid Over 2 Years: Police Woman Swindled $300K From CT Medicaid Over 2 Years: Police
Woman Swindled $300K From CT Medicaid Over 2 Years: Police A 59-year-old Connecticut woman faces decades in prison after state investigators claim she stole more than $300,000 from Medicaid by submitting false claims and changing patient's medical records.  Iselande Desyr, of Stamford in Fairfield County, is charged with one count each of health insurance fraud and larceny in the first degree by defrauding the public community, the state's Division of Criminal Justice said.  Desyr was the owner of Holistic Psychiatric Services, LLC, which claims to treat a variety of disorders in children and adults with holistic means on its website…
23-Year-Old Killed In Plainville Wreck After Motorcycle Crashes Into Guardrail: Police 23-Year-Old Killed In Plainville Wreck After Motorcycle Crashes Into Guardrail: Police
Peter Bienasz Crashed Into Guardrail Along Route 72 A 23-year-old Connecticut man was killed Thursday, Oct. 24, when he wrecked his motorcycle into a guardrail, authorities said.  Peter Bienasz, of Plainville in Hartford County, was riding behind a Toyota Prius on Route 72 near the I-84 on-ramp, when he crashed into the back of the car, causing him to careen into a metal guardrail around 12:14 p.m., Connecticut State Police said.  Bienasz was thrown from his motorcycle, and paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene, authorities said.  The Prius' driver and passenger, both of New Britain, were not injured in the Plainville c…
Women Claimed Elite Hackers Made Her Life A Nightmare For Years, But She Did It All: Police Women Claimed Elite Hackers Made Her Life A Nightmare For Years, But She Did It All: Police
Women Claimed Elite Hackers Made Her Life A Nightmare For Years, But She Did It All: Police A 63-year-old Connecticut woman told police for years she and another person were the target of an ongoing online harassment campaign that lasted years by an anonymous person who made their lives miserable. But she was sending the messages and threats, police in New Haven County said.  Deborah Ann Calloutas, age 63, of Wolcott, is facing several felonies linked to the alleged faked harassment that went on for years, Connecticut State Police said.  Calloutas first reached out to police in 2021 to say she and her unnamed friend were the targets of hackers who were doctoring their ph…
Woman Seriously Injured After Car Crashes Into Her, Speeds Away Woman Seriously Injured After Car Crashes Into Her, Speeds Away
Woman Seriously Injured After Car Crashes Into Her, Speeds Away A 21-year-old woman suffered serious head injuries after a car crashed into her and then sped away in New Haven County, police said.  The unnamed woman pushing a car with bottles across Broad Street in Meriden just before 8 p.m. She had nearly made it through the crosswalk when a car crashed into her in the northbound lanes, authorities said.  The sedan slowed down for a moment before driving away.  Paramedics rushed the woman to Hartford Hospital with serious injuries to her head and lower body.  Witnesses described the car to Meriden Police as light-colored (white, l…
Cold Case: Police Bust Man In 35-Year-Old Rape, Kidnapping Spree Case Cold Case: Police Bust Man In 35-Year-Old Rape, Kidnapping Spree Case
Cold Case: Police Bust Man In 35-Year-Old Rape, Kidnapping Spree Case A 53-year-old man arrested this week that could be the key to solving a series of kidnappings and rapes that happened in a small Fairfield County town in 1989, authorities announced.  David V. Coffey was arrested and charged in connection to the abduction and rape of a woman in Danbury, authorities said. Police added other arrests are pending in the cases.  The woman was one of several who said they were attacked in the Lake Avenue and Merrimac Street area of Danbury, but "despite the diligent efforts of the investigators," detectives were unable to solve the case, …
Wethersfield Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash ID'd: 'Words Can't Express Magnitude Of This Loss' Wethersfield Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash ID'd: 'Words Can't Express Magnitude Of This Loss'
Wethersfield Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash ID'd: 'Words Can't Express Magnitude Of This Loss' A Connecticut firefighter who was killed when the ATV he was on rolled over while battling a blaze has been identified as a grandfather and former member of the Hartford Fire Department.  Robert "Sharky" Sharkevich Sr., age 66, was working as a member of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department on Tuesday, Oct. 22, fighting a brush fire that had spread to more than 90 acres on Lamentation Mountain in Berlin, Meriden Police said.  Sharkevich and three other firefighters were in Meriden on the southern edge of the blaze, riding a firefighting ATV that flipped around 5:30 p.m.…
(UPDATE) Wethersfield Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash While Fighting Brush Fire In Berlin (UPDATE) Wethersfield Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash While Fighting Brush Fire In Berlin
(Update) Wethersfield Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash While Fighting Brush Fire In Berlin Update: Authorities have identified the man killed battling the blaze as a 66-year-old retired Hartford firefighter. Click here for more information on him and the crash.  Original: A Connecticut firefighter was killed in an ATV crash while fighting a brush fire in Hartford County on Tuesday, Oct. 22, authorities said.  The Wethersfield firefighter was riding on a firefighting ATV that crashed around 5:30 p.m. in Berlin, where crews are battling a brush fire that has spread to 90 acres on Lamentation Mountain.  The firefighter, whose name has not been released, was on the s…
Man Fights Officers While Violating Protection Order: Cops Man Fights Officers While Violating Protection Order: Cops
Man Fights Officers While Violating Protection Order: Cops A 41-year-old New Jersey man got into a fight with multiple Connecticut police officers trying to stop him as he violated a protective order in New Haven County, authorities said.  Jose Valentin Duran-Castillo, of Phillipsburg, NJ, faces several felony charges following his arrest on Friday, Oct. 18, East Haven Police said. A judge ordered him held on a $250,000 bond.  Police were called to a Highland Avenue home in East Haven around 5:45 p.m. to reports of an unwanted man on the property. Officers arrived to find Duran-Castillo, who immediately became hostile with authoritie…
Dog Found Starving, Emaciated, Locked In Cage In Home's Basement For 24 Hours: Police Dog Found Starving, Emaciated, Locked In Cage In Home's Basement For 24 Hours: Police
Dog Found Starving, Emaciated, Locked In Cage In Home's Basement For 24 Hours: Police A 2-year-old dog rescued over the weekend was found starving and emaciated at a New Haven County home. The poodle's owner now faces an animal cruelty charge, authorities said.  Police were called to Jolissa Nozier's Naugatuck home on Sunday evening, Oct. 20, after neighbors complained that her dog had been barking for hours, police said. They told officers that Nozier had been gone for a day. A rescue agency said the animal had been left in a crate in the Carroll Street home's basement since the owner left.  Naugatuck Police took custody of the dog named Rocky and surrendered it t…
Man Wanted On Child Porn Charges Hid In CT Woods For Months: Marshals Man Wanted On Child Porn Charges Hid In CT Woods For Months: Marshals
Man Wanted On Child Porn Charges Hid In CT Woods For Months: Marshals A 40-year-old wanted man was found hiding in a camp deep in the woods in Windham County on Monday, Oct. 21, after months on the run, authorities said.  Steven Labrecque, 40, is wanted by authorities in Massachusetts on charges of child pornography, photographing intimate parts of a child, intimidation of a witness, reckless endangerment of a child, threatening, obscene matter to a minor, assault, and battery, the US Marshal Service said.  Marshals were asked to help find Labrecque after police in Franklin and New Bedford, Massachusetts, were unable to track him down. Aut…
Tractor-Trailer Rollover Crash in Farmington Causes Fuel Spill, Sends Several To Hospital Tractor-Trailer Rollover Crash in Farmington Causes Fuel Spill, Sends Several To Hospital
Tractor-Trailer Rollover Crash in Farmington Causes Fuel Spill, Sends Several To Hospital Several people were hospitalized Sunday night, Oct. 20, after a tractor-trailer rollover crash that spilled fuel along I-84 in Hartford County, police said.  The crash was reported around 11:30 p.m. near eastbound Exit 39 after a car crashed into the truck carrying produce, causing it to roll, Connecticut State Police said.  The truck landed on its side and leaked fuel along the highway. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection responded to the crash to deal with the clean-up, authorities said.  Several people were injured in the crash, though none of their…
Farmington Sex Offender Nabbed Fondling Himself In Public; Then He Did It Again: Police Farmington Sex Offender Nabbed Fondling Himself In Public; Then He Did It Again: Police
Farmington Sex Offender Nabbed Fondling Himself In Public; Then He Did It Again: Police A 31-year-old Connecticut registered offender was arrested twice in two days for inappropriately touching himself in public, authorities said. He was already out on bond for prior incidents.  Wojciech Warzynski, 31, of Farmington in Hartford County, was first arrested on Wednesday, Oct. 9, after he reportedly approached two females at the MDC Reservoir while fondling himself inappropriately, authorities said.  Officers had responded to the Farmington reservoir after multiple people called about a man acting suspiciously, officials said.  Warzynski was arrested the next day a…
Wrong-Way Driver Killed In Route 8 Head-On Collision Wrong-Way Driver Killed In Route 8 Head-On Collision
Wrong-Way Driver Killed In Route 8 Head-On Collision A 30-year-old Connecticut man was killed early Sunday morning, Oct. 20, after driving the wrong way on a highway and crashing into an oncoming car in New Haven County, authorities said.  Aron Tyrell Vann, of Waterbury in New Haven County, drove south in the northbound lanes along Route 8 in Waterbury when his Nissan Altima collided with a Jeep Cherokee just after 3 a.m., Connecticut State Police said.  Paramedics rushed Vann to Waterbury Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.  The Jeep driver, a 36-year-old from Allentown, Pennsylvania, suffered minor injurie…
Truck Barrels Through Convenience Store Sending Driver To Hospital Truck Barrels Through Convenience Store Sending Driver To Hospital
Truck Barrels Through Convenience Store Sending Driver To Hospital A truck crashed into a New Haven County convenience store Saturday morning, Oct. 19, sending the driver to the hospital, authorities said.  The truck crashed through the glass front of the Patco store at 271 Foxon Road in North Branford around 11:30 a.m., police said.  The driver was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital with minor injuries. Luckily, no one else was hurt, North Branford Police said.  A North Branford Building Official was on scene Saturday to determine the damage to the building.  Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash. Officers…
Man Busted In Tree Branch Attack That Sent 1 To Hospital: Police Man Busted In Tree Branch Attack That Sent 1 To Hospital: Police
Man Busted In Tree Branch Attack That Sent 1 To Hospital: Police A 56-year-old Connecticut man attacked someone with a tree branch, sending them to the hospital in Fairfield County, authorities said.  Oscar Espejo-Gonzalez, of Bridgeport, was charged with second-degree breach of peace, illegal alteration of a firearm, illegally carrying a gun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, first-degree threatening, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment in the first-degree, authorities said.  The alleged victim told police that Espejo-Gonzalez had attacked him with a tree branch on Maplewood Avenue on Saturday, Oct. 19, leaving a …
Woman Who Fatally Hit Cyclist Then Sped Away Arrested: Police Woman Who Fatally Hit Cyclist Then Sped Away Arrested: Police
Woman Who Fatally Hit Cyclist Then Sped Away Arrested: Police A woman who police say crashed into a bicyclist, causing him fatal injuries, and sped away in New Haven County has been arrested weeks later.  Gloria Sanchez, 32, of Waterbury, was charged Thursday with evading responsibility in a death, criminal misrepresentation, and failure to renew registration, authorities said.  Investigators said Sanchez crashed into 37-year-old Luis Caceras, of Waterbury, around 6 a.m. at the Cooke Street and Grove Street intersection and then drove away.  After an investigation, police arrested Sanchez earlier this week.  A judge ord…
Intoxicated, Uninsured Wrong-Way Driver Collides With Car On I-84 In East Hartford: Police Intoxicated, Uninsured Wrong-Way Driver Collides With Car On I-84 In East Hartford: Police
Intoxicated, Uninsured Wrong-Way Driver Collides With Car On I-84 In East Hartford: Police Connecticut police say an intoxicated, unlicensed, and uninsured driver collided with an oncoming car, causing a chain-reaction crash, and then running away earlier this week. Wilmer Vizcaino, 29, of Waterbury in New Haven County, faces several felonies from the 9 p.m. crash on Wednesday, Oct. 16, Connecticut State Police said.  Troopers in East Hartford were notified of the wrong-way driver when a detection censor went off about a minute before the crash at Exit 56 on I-84. Investigators said Vizcaino crashed head-on with a car taking the ramp, which sent that vehicle careening i…
Bicyclist, 24, Killed After Crash With Garbage Truck Bicyclist, 24, Killed After Crash With Garbage Truck
Bicyclist, 24, Killed After Crash With Garbage Truck A 24-year-old Connecticut man was killed early Thursday morning, Oct. 17, after being hit by a garbage truck in New Haven County, authorities said.  Police responded to the crash a little after 2 a.m. at the Church Street and North Frontage Road intersection in New Haven.  Officers found the 24-year-old New Haven man with life-threatening injuries, and paramedics rushed him to Yale New Haven Hospital, where he died of his wounds. The garbage truck driver remained at the scene.  An initial investigation found that the bicyclist had come off the sidewalk and into the road when…
Man Who Hit Woman With His Car To Play Out Rape Fantasy Admits To Attempted Murder: DA Man Who Hit Woman With His Car To Play Out Rape Fantasy Admits To Attempted Murder: DA
Man Who Hit Woman With His Car To Play Out Rape Fantasy Admits To Attempted Murder: DA A Connecticut man who intentionally crashed his car into a woman and attempted to drown her as part of a rape and kidnapping fantasy admitted this week to multiple felonies related to the attack, authorities announced.  Mynor Romeo Alvarado-Canahui, age 35, of Norwalk, will spend 25 years in prison and register as a sex offender when he's released as part of his plea deal, the State's Attorney said.  Prosecutors told the court that Alvarado-Canahui intentionally crashed his car into a 20-year-old woman as she walked along a remote back country road in New Canaan aro…
7-Year-Old Killed In House Fire 7-Year-Old Killed In House Fire
7-Year-Old Killed In House Fire A 7-year-old child was killed after they were trapped inside a burning home in New London County Tuesday evening, Oct. 15, authorities said.  Firefighters were called to a home at 83 Summit Street in Norwich just before 5:30 p.m. to reports of a two-story house fire. Multiple 911 calls said a child was trapped inside.  Norwich firefighters were quick to the scene and battled their way inside the burning home and were able to carry the 7-year-old outside, where paramedics were waiting to take the child to Backus Hospital while performing lifesaving measures, authorities said. …
Boater Dumped Fuel, Untreated Human Waste Into CT Harbor: Police Boater Dumped Fuel, Untreated Human Waste Into CT Harbor: Police
Boater Dumped Fuel, Untreated Human Waste Into CT Harbor: Police A 79-year-old Connecticut man admitted to police that he dumped diesel fuel and untreated human waste from his boat into Norwalk Harbor last week, authorities said.  Stanley Sikorski, of Norwalk in Fairfield County, was charged with discharging sewage in a no-discharge zone, misuse of a marine sanitation device, and littering in the water, police said on Tuesday, Oct. 15.  Norwalk Police were called to a reported diesel spill just before 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, at Manresa Island. Officers could see a sheen on the water and smell fuel in the air.  They spotted an…
He Molested His Cousins For Years, Now He's Going To Prison For Decades: DA He Molested His Cousins For Years, Now He's Going To Prison For Decades: DA
He Molested His Cousins For Years, Now He's Going To Prison For Decades: DA A 58-year-old Connecticut man who admitted to molesting his young cousins was sentenced to 50 years in prison, authorities said. Luis Rivera, of Bridgeport, who pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault in the first degree in July, was sentenced to decades behind bars last week, the State's Attorney said. As part of his plea deal, Rivera's sentence will be suspended after 25 years.  However, he must serve 35 years on probation following his release, the prosecutor said.  Rivera was arrested in 2022 after three people came forward to say he had molested them from 1994 throu…
14-Year-Old ID'd As Victim Killed After SUV Hit Tree; 3 More Still In Critical Condition 14-Year-Old ID'd As Victim Killed After SUV Hit Tree; 3 More Still In Critical Condition
14-Year-Old ID'd As Victim Killed After SUV Hit Tree; 3 More Still In Critical Condition A 14-year-old Connecticut boy who was in an SUV that crashed into a tree in New London County early Monday morning, Oct. 14, has died, police said. His 17-year-old older brother and two other teens remain in the hospital with life-threatening injuries.  Carson Wilson, of Groton, was in a Toyota 4Runner that veered off the wrong side of Fishtown Road around 1:20 a.m. and collided with a tree near the intersection of Little Gull Lane, authorities said.  His older brother Skyler Wilson along with Kais Shiman, of Mystic, and Alex Quilter, of Groton, were also in the SUV. It's unclear …
Arsonist Torches $1M Worth Of Vehicles In Secluded Farmington Construction Yard Arsonist Torches $1M Worth Of Vehicles In Secluded Farmington Construction Yard
Arsonist Torches $1M Worth Of Vehicles In Secluded Farmington Construction Yard Connecticut State Police are asking for the public's help to track down an arsonist who caused $1 million in damages after they torched construction equipment in Hartford County.  Hammonasset Construction told police that someone set ablaze several vehicles parked in a secluded construction yard near exit 39A on I-84 in Farmington, authorities said.  The company said the fire happened over the weekend, Oct. 12-13.  Investigators said the fires would have been visible from both sides of the interstate. They ask anyone who saw the fire or has information on who set i…
Wanted Man Lured Child Into His Truck Outside Of Park, Sexually Assaulted Her: Police Wanted Man Lured Child Into His Truck Outside Of Park, Sexually Assaulted Her: Police
Wanted Man Lured Child Into His Truck Outside Of Park, Sexually Assaulted Her: Police Police say a Connecticut man kidnapped a child younger than 13 from a New Haven playground and sexually assaulted her in his truck.  Michael Dewitt, age 45, of Seymour, faces multiple felonies from the alleged incident and is being held on a $1.25 million bond, Waterbury Police said.  The girl told police that she was playing at Fulton Park on Wednesday, Oct. 9, around 7 p.m. when a man, later identified as Dewitt, lured her into his truck, where he sexually assaulted her, authorities said. The girl fought her way free and ran to get help.  Police said she was not physically…
Man Who Attacked Jogger Linked To 2018 Sexual Assault In Same Area: Police Man Who Attacked Jogger Linked To 2018 Sexual Assault In Same Area: Police
Man Who Attacked Jogger Linked To 2018 Sexual Assault In Same Area: Police Police have arrested a Connecticut man nearly a year after investigators say he grabbed a jogger in New Haven County, shoved her into the woods, and attacked her at gunpoint. That investigation helped link him to a sexual assault that happened six years ago, police said.  Crisleonel Cruzado, age 25, of New Haven, was arrested last week and charged with unlawful restraint, assault in the second degree, reckless endangerment, and breach of the peace, authorities said.  A 38-year-old woman told police that just after 6 a.m. on Oct. 12, 2023, she was running in the area of Yale and Ed…
Man Dies In Fiery Crash A Mile From His CT Home Man Dies In Fiery Crash A Mile From His CT Home
Man Dies In Fiery Crash A Mile From His CT Home A Connecticut man was killed after his SUV crashed and burst into flames on Thursday evening, Oct. 11, in Litchfield County a little more than a mile from his home, authorities said.  Scott James White, age 67, of Harwinton, crashed his Honda Pilot just after 6:30 p.m. on Hill Road (Route 222), Connecticut State Police said.  Evidence showed that White first hit a wooden post and guide wires which caused the vehicle to ping-pong into a sign and then a farm stand before it crashed into a tree and burst into flames, State Police said.  Authorities pronounced White de…
Mass. Hammer Murderer Gets Life In Prison For Killing Sleeping Wife: DA Mass. Hammer Murderer Gets Life In Prison For Killing Sleeping Wife: DA
Mass. Hammer Murderer Gets Life In Prison For Killing Sleeping Wife: DA A Massachusetts man who beat his estranged wife to death with a hammer as she slept will spend at least the next 25 years in prison, authorities said.  Michael A. Cook Sr., of North Adams in Berkshire Country, was convicted of second-degree murder last week and was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday, Oct. 10, the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office said. However, he will be eligible for parole in 25 years.  Charli Cook, a 41-year-old CNA at the former Willowood Health Care Center, was asleep when Michael Cook broke into her North Adams home in July 2019 and hit h…
Police Probe 'Suspicious' Circumstances After SUV Ends Up In Wethersfield Cove Police Probe 'Suspicious' Circumstances After SUV Ends Up In Wethersfield Cove
Police Probe 'Suspicious' Circumstances After SUV Ends Up In Wethersfield Cove Police in Connecticut have a lot of questions after a car ended up in a Hartford County cove on Thursday, Oct. 10.  Police were called to Wethersfield Cove off of Main Street in Wethersfield around 7 p.m. after a 2004 Honda Pilot ended up in the drink. The three people inside were able to escape unharmed.  Wethersfield Police have deemed the incident as "suspicious." The driver told officers that the car's brakes failed, and the SUV rolled into the water, where it sank.  The Capital Region Dive Team helped pull the car from the water.  The incident remains under …
Sexual Blackmail: Man Threatened To Leak Woman's Nudes Unless She Slept With Him, Police Say Sexual Blackmail: Man Threatened To Leak Woman's Nudes Unless She Slept With Him, Police Say
Sexual Blackmail: Man Threatened To Leak Woman's Nudes Unless She Slept With Him, Police Say A Connecticut man blackmailed a woman into sex by threatening to send her nude photos to her family and coworkers if she didn't sleep with him, authorities said.  Jason Acosta-Williams, age 26, of Norwalk in Fairfield County, is charged with sexual assault in the first degree and coercion, police said.  Officials did not release much information on the arrest or investigation to protect the victim, but Norwalk Police issued a warrant for Acosta-Williams' arrest in August. However, he evaded arrest until Thursday, Oct. 10, when he surrendered himself to authorities.  A j…
Watch: Car Bursts Into Flames After Slamming Into Parked Vehicles Watch: Car Bursts Into Flames After Slamming Into Parked Vehicles
Watch: Car Bursts Into Flames After Slamming Into Parked Vehicles Connecticut police believe the driver who caused a fiery crash in New Haven County earlier this week was intoxicated and speeding.  Police released surveillance video of the Monday, Oct. 7, crash that shows a car blow through a stop sign, slam into a row of parked vehicles, and burst into flames near the intersection of East Main Street and Kingston Drive in Ansonia. Investigators believe the driver was speeding and intoxicated when they jumped the curb and crashed. Authorities have not released their name as no charges have been filed by Thursday, Oct. 10, but an arrest is expected, A…