01-13-2010, 11:14 PM
[size 2]MARINE DISTRICT
Littering/Dumping
On 12/3/2009, EnCon Police Officer Reilly was patrolling the area of Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middletown when she discovered multiple bags of trash dumped on the state property off of Laurel Grove Rd. Officer Reilly went through the trash and was able to find documents with an address in Middletown. Officer Reilly went to the address, which was a condemned house. After multiple attempts to locate the resident, Officer Reilly found that the landlord had taken the trash from the house. On 12/21/2009, Officers Reilly and Chickos were able to find the landlord and after conducting an interview, determined that the landlord dumped the bags of trash on the state property. Officer Reilly issued the landlord an infraction for littering on public land.
Hunting After Hours
On 12/4/2009, EnCon Police Officer Chemacki and Officer Reilly were patrolling a block of Cockaponsett State Forest in Westbrook for deer hunting activity. At approximately 4:45 p.m., they observed a vehicle parked in the parking lot for the forest with hunting gear inside. Hunting hours for deer ends at sunset which was at 4:23 p.m. that day. The officers entered the forest in an attempt to locate the hunter. At approximately 5:16 p.m., Officer Chemacki observed a subject dressed in hunting clothing and carrying a firearm walking toward him. Officer Chemacki identified himself and asked to inspect the hunter’s firearm. The firearm was a twelve gauge shotgun loaded with slugs. The hunter stated he was deer hunting. Officer Chemacki informed him that it was 53 minutes past legal hunting hours for deer. Officer Chemacki seized the firearm and issued the subject a summons for Negligent Hunting in the Fourth Degree.
Shellfishing Arrest
On 12/28/2009, EnCon Police Officer Samorajczyk received a complaint that a commercial shellfish vessel was illegally harvesting in a recreational area off of Milford. Sgt. Kane and Officer Samorajczyk confirmed the area in question was not open to commercial harvest and responded to the area on board a Division of Aquaculture vessel. When they arrived in the area, they observed a commercial shellfish vessel actively harvesting in the non-designated area. The officers conducted a boarding of the shellfish vessel. On board were thirty-one bushels of clams. The captain of the vessel was issued a misdemeanor summons for the violation and all the clams on board were returned to Long Island Sound.
EASTERN DISTRICT
ATV Arrest
On 12/19/2009, EnCon Police Sgt. Dwyer, Officer Williams and Officer Vroman arrested an individual on a felony warrant from information developed by Officer Williams over the summer. Officer Williams had stopped an ATV in Windham and seized the ATV when he noticed the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) appeared to have been purposely ground off. The rider was issued an infraction but was not the owner. The investigation revealed that the owner had purchased the ATV in Willimantic for $300.00 and purposely ground the VIN and changed the color, as he suspected the ATV was stolen. He was given a court date in January after posting a $5000 bond.
Deer Hunting Violations
Eastern District EnCon Police Officers were busy with numerous deer hunting arrests during the month of December. On the 12/5, Officer Danielson was dispatched to East Windsor to assist the Police Department with a deer hunting complaint. The individual they apprehended was charged with hunting without written consent and failure to wear fluorescent orange, and had been the subject of several previous complaints. His gear was confiscated and he was issued a summons to appear in court.
On the same day, Officer Golet was patrolling private property in Montville and found an individual hunting with a .22 caliber rifle, over bait and without written consent. He was charged with numerous deer hunting violations, issued a summons to court and his gear was confiscated.
On 12/7, Officer Pettus was patrolling Shenipsit State Forest in Stafford and encountered an individual who was hunting after legal hours and without a plugged shotgun. He was issued a summons for two violations of deer hunting regulations.
On 12/12, Sergeant Dwyer was dispatched to the North Grosvenordale section of Thompson to a report of shots fired on private property where there is no hunting allowed. He was able to apprehend an individual for numerous deer hunting violations including no written consent, criminal trespass, illegal possession, illegal hunting of deer. His deer and gear were confiscated and he was summoned to court.
On 12/13, Officer Vroman was dispatched to a complaint in Hampton, in which a property owner witnessed individuals shoot a deer from their vehicle with a crossbow. They were scared off by the property owner when they attempted to retrieve the deer. A good description of the vehicle was given as well as a partial registration, and physical evidence was recovered which may yield a future arrest.
On 12/19, Officer Vroman also arrested two individuals in Woodstock for numerous charges related to illegal deer hunting during the muzzleloader season. They were charged with no consent, failure to wear fluorescent orange and criminal trespass.
On 12/24, Officer Arsenault arrested two individuals that were hunting with aid of a motor vehicle without written consent and hunting with rifles during the muzzleloader season in North Stonington. The two individuals had been hunting with another person and their weapons were found to be loaded while on the ATV they were actively riding.
Lost Hunter
On 12/9/2009, EnCon Police Sergeant Dwyer responded to a report of a lost hunter in Nipmuck State Forest in Union. Southbridge, Massachusetts Police, Connecticut State Police and local Fire Departments also participated in the search. Use of cell phones and GPS facilitated the successful conclusion to the search. The individual was located by Southbridge Police and brought to a Massachusetts hospital for evaluation.
WESTERN DISTRICT
Unlawful Discharge
On 12/8/2009, EnCon Police Officers Stanko and K. Williams received a report of a possible illegal shooting incident at the Naugatuck State Forest, Mount Sanford block in Hamden. DEP Dispatch advised Officers Stanko and Williams that Hamden Police requested an EnCon Police response for two men, possibly with handguns, firing indiscriminately in the forest. Hamden PD stated that a complainant said he was hunting in the forest and heard what he believed to be hand gun fire near his position. The complainant stated that he heard bullets whizzing near his location so he took cover and made his way out of the woods. Officers Stanko and Williams conducted a search of the forest. Once in the forest they heard multiple and sustained gunfire near one of the Adirondack shelters in the forest. The officers located an individual who appeared to turn away quickly like he was warning someone else of the police arrival. The individual then attempted to run away from the officers. As the officers rounded a corner in the wooded trail they observed two men standing on the trail facing them approximately 25 yards away. Both men were carrying rifles at port arms in the ready position and were facing the officers with the muzzles pointing at them. Officers Stanko and Williams then ordered the men away from their weapons and patted the men down for other weapons. When asked what they were doing one of the individuals told the officers "shooting acorns out of a tree." They both admitted to target shooting and hunting squirrels. Both individuals were arrested and charged with Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree and Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm.
Illegal Deer Hunting
In early December EnCon Police Officer Wojcik found two deer kill sites over a three week period in a wooded area in Windsor. Blood and tracks indicated that the deer were killed by a hunter hunting from a vehicle. On December 19th Officer Wojcik was on foot patrol in this area after finding a third deer kill site when he observed a vehicle approach down the dirt road access where the deer had previously been killed. Officer Wojcik immediately approached the subject vehicle where he observed the subject place a long object that appeared to be a rifle or shotgun from the front seat to the back seat. After seeing Officer Wojcik approaching, the subject attempted to back his vehicle out of the area but was stopped by Officer Wojcik. Officer Wojcik asked the subject if he had any weapons in the vehicle, which the subject told him that he did. Officer Wojcik took the subject out of his vehicle and observed fresh blood on his shirt and boots. Officer Wojcik conducted a search of the vehicle and found a fully loaded 12 gauge shotgun that had one in the chamber in addition to rounds in the magazine. The shotgun was directly behind the driver’s seat and appeared to be the weapon that Officer Wojcik observed the subject move prior to the stop.
Officer Wojcik also recovered another shotgun and rifle which were unloaded but had ammunition lying next to each gun. Officer Wojcik observed large amounts of fresh blood on a carpet in the rear of the vehicle. A sealed plastic bag was also found containing a fresh deer heart and liver along with a folding knife covered in blood. The subject told Officer Wojcik that he was hunting in this area but that the deer parts were given to him from a friend, whose name he could not remember. Officer Wojcik determined that the subject did not have permission to hunt on the property and did not have any deer tags issued. The subject was arrested by Officer Wojcik for Illegal Deer Hunting, Loaded Weapon in a motor vehicle, Deer Hunting without written permission and Deer hunting without deer tags.
On 12/22/2009, EnCon Police Officer Yescott received a call from a landowner reporting that he found an illegal tree stand on his property and had taken it down. The landowner advised Officer Yescott that the owner of the tree stand did call twice in an attempt to recover his tree stand. Officer Yescott also discovered corn on the ground near the tree where the landowner found the tree stand, which was approximately 200 feet from the property line. Officer Yescott met with the owner of the tree stand. Officer Yescott had the tree stand in the back of his patrol vehicle and the subject identified the tree stand as his. The subject gave Officer Yescott a statement and indicated that he had permission to hunt a neighboring piece of property that was only 2 acres in size, of which only 1 acre could be hunted. The subject claimed that he did not know he was off the permitted property, but did admit to placing the corn on the ground to attract deer.
Officer Yescott contacted the owner of the adjacent property where the subject claimed he had permission to hunt. Officer Yescott determined that the landowner had informed the subject of the property boundaries. Officer Yescott has submitted an application for an arrest warrant for the subject for the charges Negligent Hunting 4th degree.
During the month of December, EnCon Police officers in the Western District handled 46 incidents related to deer hunting complaints. Of those, arrests were made in 8 incidents and written warnings issued in 13. The remaining incidents were either legal activities or the subjects had left the area prior to the officers response to the complaint.
_________________
[url "http://www.ct.gov/dep"][#006699]Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection[/#006699][/url]
[url "http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2695&q=322630&depNav_GID=1649"][#006699]Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police[/#006699][/url]
Captain Raul Camejo[/size]
[signature]
Littering/Dumping
On 12/3/2009, EnCon Police Officer Reilly was patrolling the area of Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middletown when she discovered multiple bags of trash dumped on the state property off of Laurel Grove Rd. Officer Reilly went through the trash and was able to find documents with an address in Middletown. Officer Reilly went to the address, which was a condemned house. After multiple attempts to locate the resident, Officer Reilly found that the landlord had taken the trash from the house. On 12/21/2009, Officers Reilly and Chickos were able to find the landlord and after conducting an interview, determined that the landlord dumped the bags of trash on the state property. Officer Reilly issued the landlord an infraction for littering on public land.
Hunting After Hours
On 12/4/2009, EnCon Police Officer Chemacki and Officer Reilly were patrolling a block of Cockaponsett State Forest in Westbrook for deer hunting activity. At approximately 4:45 p.m., they observed a vehicle parked in the parking lot for the forest with hunting gear inside. Hunting hours for deer ends at sunset which was at 4:23 p.m. that day. The officers entered the forest in an attempt to locate the hunter. At approximately 5:16 p.m., Officer Chemacki observed a subject dressed in hunting clothing and carrying a firearm walking toward him. Officer Chemacki identified himself and asked to inspect the hunter’s firearm. The firearm was a twelve gauge shotgun loaded with slugs. The hunter stated he was deer hunting. Officer Chemacki informed him that it was 53 minutes past legal hunting hours for deer. Officer Chemacki seized the firearm and issued the subject a summons for Negligent Hunting in the Fourth Degree.
Shellfishing Arrest
On 12/28/2009, EnCon Police Officer Samorajczyk received a complaint that a commercial shellfish vessel was illegally harvesting in a recreational area off of Milford. Sgt. Kane and Officer Samorajczyk confirmed the area in question was not open to commercial harvest and responded to the area on board a Division of Aquaculture vessel. When they arrived in the area, they observed a commercial shellfish vessel actively harvesting in the non-designated area. The officers conducted a boarding of the shellfish vessel. On board were thirty-one bushels of clams. The captain of the vessel was issued a misdemeanor summons for the violation and all the clams on board were returned to Long Island Sound.
EASTERN DISTRICT
ATV Arrest
On 12/19/2009, EnCon Police Sgt. Dwyer, Officer Williams and Officer Vroman arrested an individual on a felony warrant from information developed by Officer Williams over the summer. Officer Williams had stopped an ATV in Windham and seized the ATV when he noticed the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) appeared to have been purposely ground off. The rider was issued an infraction but was not the owner. The investigation revealed that the owner had purchased the ATV in Willimantic for $300.00 and purposely ground the VIN and changed the color, as he suspected the ATV was stolen. He was given a court date in January after posting a $5000 bond.
Deer Hunting Violations
Eastern District EnCon Police Officers were busy with numerous deer hunting arrests during the month of December. On the 12/5, Officer Danielson was dispatched to East Windsor to assist the Police Department with a deer hunting complaint. The individual they apprehended was charged with hunting without written consent and failure to wear fluorescent orange, and had been the subject of several previous complaints. His gear was confiscated and he was issued a summons to appear in court.
On the same day, Officer Golet was patrolling private property in Montville and found an individual hunting with a .22 caliber rifle, over bait and without written consent. He was charged with numerous deer hunting violations, issued a summons to court and his gear was confiscated.
On 12/7, Officer Pettus was patrolling Shenipsit State Forest in Stafford and encountered an individual who was hunting after legal hours and without a plugged shotgun. He was issued a summons for two violations of deer hunting regulations.
On 12/12, Sergeant Dwyer was dispatched to the North Grosvenordale section of Thompson to a report of shots fired on private property where there is no hunting allowed. He was able to apprehend an individual for numerous deer hunting violations including no written consent, criminal trespass, illegal possession, illegal hunting of deer. His deer and gear were confiscated and he was summoned to court.
On 12/13, Officer Vroman was dispatched to a complaint in Hampton, in which a property owner witnessed individuals shoot a deer from their vehicle with a crossbow. They were scared off by the property owner when they attempted to retrieve the deer. A good description of the vehicle was given as well as a partial registration, and physical evidence was recovered which may yield a future arrest.
On 12/19, Officer Vroman also arrested two individuals in Woodstock for numerous charges related to illegal deer hunting during the muzzleloader season. They were charged with no consent, failure to wear fluorescent orange and criminal trespass.
On 12/24, Officer Arsenault arrested two individuals that were hunting with aid of a motor vehicle without written consent and hunting with rifles during the muzzleloader season in North Stonington. The two individuals had been hunting with another person and their weapons were found to be loaded while on the ATV they were actively riding.
Lost Hunter
On 12/9/2009, EnCon Police Sergeant Dwyer responded to a report of a lost hunter in Nipmuck State Forest in Union. Southbridge, Massachusetts Police, Connecticut State Police and local Fire Departments also participated in the search. Use of cell phones and GPS facilitated the successful conclusion to the search. The individual was located by Southbridge Police and brought to a Massachusetts hospital for evaluation.
WESTERN DISTRICT
Unlawful Discharge
On 12/8/2009, EnCon Police Officers Stanko and K. Williams received a report of a possible illegal shooting incident at the Naugatuck State Forest, Mount Sanford block in Hamden. DEP Dispatch advised Officers Stanko and Williams that Hamden Police requested an EnCon Police response for two men, possibly with handguns, firing indiscriminately in the forest. Hamden PD stated that a complainant said he was hunting in the forest and heard what he believed to be hand gun fire near his position. The complainant stated that he heard bullets whizzing near his location so he took cover and made his way out of the woods. Officers Stanko and Williams conducted a search of the forest. Once in the forest they heard multiple and sustained gunfire near one of the Adirondack shelters in the forest. The officers located an individual who appeared to turn away quickly like he was warning someone else of the police arrival. The individual then attempted to run away from the officers. As the officers rounded a corner in the wooded trail they observed two men standing on the trail facing them approximately 25 yards away. Both men were carrying rifles at port arms in the ready position and were facing the officers with the muzzles pointing at them. Officers Stanko and Williams then ordered the men away from their weapons and patted the men down for other weapons. When asked what they were doing one of the individuals told the officers "shooting acorns out of a tree." They both admitted to target shooting and hunting squirrels. Both individuals were arrested and charged with Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree and Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm.
Illegal Deer Hunting
In early December EnCon Police Officer Wojcik found two deer kill sites over a three week period in a wooded area in Windsor. Blood and tracks indicated that the deer were killed by a hunter hunting from a vehicle. On December 19th Officer Wojcik was on foot patrol in this area after finding a third deer kill site when he observed a vehicle approach down the dirt road access where the deer had previously been killed. Officer Wojcik immediately approached the subject vehicle where he observed the subject place a long object that appeared to be a rifle or shotgun from the front seat to the back seat. After seeing Officer Wojcik approaching, the subject attempted to back his vehicle out of the area but was stopped by Officer Wojcik. Officer Wojcik asked the subject if he had any weapons in the vehicle, which the subject told him that he did. Officer Wojcik took the subject out of his vehicle and observed fresh blood on his shirt and boots. Officer Wojcik conducted a search of the vehicle and found a fully loaded 12 gauge shotgun that had one in the chamber in addition to rounds in the magazine. The shotgun was directly behind the driver’s seat and appeared to be the weapon that Officer Wojcik observed the subject move prior to the stop.
Officer Wojcik also recovered another shotgun and rifle which were unloaded but had ammunition lying next to each gun. Officer Wojcik observed large amounts of fresh blood on a carpet in the rear of the vehicle. A sealed plastic bag was also found containing a fresh deer heart and liver along with a folding knife covered in blood. The subject told Officer Wojcik that he was hunting in this area but that the deer parts were given to him from a friend, whose name he could not remember. Officer Wojcik determined that the subject did not have permission to hunt on the property and did not have any deer tags issued. The subject was arrested by Officer Wojcik for Illegal Deer Hunting, Loaded Weapon in a motor vehicle, Deer Hunting without written permission and Deer hunting without deer tags.
On 12/22/2009, EnCon Police Officer Yescott received a call from a landowner reporting that he found an illegal tree stand on his property and had taken it down. The landowner advised Officer Yescott that the owner of the tree stand did call twice in an attempt to recover his tree stand. Officer Yescott also discovered corn on the ground near the tree where the landowner found the tree stand, which was approximately 200 feet from the property line. Officer Yescott met with the owner of the tree stand. Officer Yescott had the tree stand in the back of his patrol vehicle and the subject identified the tree stand as his. The subject gave Officer Yescott a statement and indicated that he had permission to hunt a neighboring piece of property that was only 2 acres in size, of which only 1 acre could be hunted. The subject claimed that he did not know he was off the permitted property, but did admit to placing the corn on the ground to attract deer.
Officer Yescott contacted the owner of the adjacent property where the subject claimed he had permission to hunt. Officer Yescott determined that the landowner had informed the subject of the property boundaries. Officer Yescott has submitted an application for an arrest warrant for the subject for the charges Negligent Hunting 4th degree.
During the month of December, EnCon Police officers in the Western District handled 46 incidents related to deer hunting complaints. Of those, arrests were made in 8 incidents and written warnings issued in 13. The remaining incidents were either legal activities or the subjects had left the area prior to the officers response to the complaint.
_________________
[url "http://www.ct.gov/dep"][#006699]Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection[/#006699][/url]
[url "http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2695&q=322630&depNav_GID=1649"][#006699]Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police[/#006699][/url]
Captain Raul Camejo[/size]
[signature]