EnCon Police

MARINE DISTRICT

Motor Vehicle Burglaries
On 3/29/07 and 3/31/07, EnCon Police Sgt. Ryan Healy and Officer Jim Kane investigated two burglaries from motor vehicles at Bluff Point State Park in Groton. In both instances, cash, credit cards and checks were stolen from the victim’s vehicles. On 3/31/07, Sgt. Healy went to the Town of Groton Police Department on a follow up to the burglaries and found that the Police Dept. had received a report of two subjects, a male and female, sleeping in a van in the park and obtained their information. That same day, one of the victims reported that a credit card that was stolen had been recently used at a local clothing store. Officer Kane went to the store and obtained the security video. Sgt. Healy and Officer Kane recognized the subjects that used the stolen credit card as the two subject’s Groton Town Police reported had been sleeping in the park. Both subjects subsequently made numerous purchases with credit cards and bank checks stolen from vehicles in Bluff Point State Park. Officer Kane applied for and obtained arrest warrants for the two subjects for numerous larceny charges, identity theft, forgery and receipt of goods from the use of a stolen credit card. The male subject was arrested on 4/20/07 and held on a $2000.00 cash bond.

Striped Bass Arrests
During the month of April, EnCon Police Officer Cindy Schneider made separate arrests for possession of striped bass less than the legal minimum length. On 4/24/07, Officer Schneider responded to a TIP complaint at the State Access Area in Devon on the Housatonic River of people taking short striped bass. Officer Schneider observed a male subject catch and keep three striped bass that appeared less than the minimum legal length. An inspection of the catch showed that all three fish were between 14 and 18 inches. The minimum legal length is 28 inches. On 4/28/07, Officer Schneider and Officer Rob Monday observed two subjects fishing by Seaside Park in Bridgeport. They observed two subjects catch and keep several striped bass that appeared less than the legal length. The officers approached the subjects as they were leaving the park and found them to be in possession of three striped bass less than the legal length. On 4/29/07, Sgt. Eric Lundin, Officer Monday and Officer Schneider were patrolling the area of Seaside Park in Bridgeport. They observed two subjects catch and keep striped bass that appeared to be less than the legal length. The officer stopped the subjects as they were leaving the park and found them to be in possession of four striped bass that were less than the minimum length. All of the subjects in these cases were given summons to appear in court along with the option of mailing in the established fine of $100.00 per short fish.


EASTERN DISTRICT

ATV Patrol Initiative
On 3/31/07, EnCon Police Officers conducted a joint All Terrain Vehicle Enforcement operation with State Police Troop D in Danielson, Troop K in Colchester, the State Police Aviation Unit and the Plainfield Police Department. Sixteen illegal all-terrain vehicle operators were apprehended and charged with a variety of violation including Operating Unregistered ATVs, Simple Trespass, Operating on a Public Highway and Interfering with Police. Two ATV operators fled from EnCon Police Officers on Plains Road in Windham and were followed by aircraft for over three miles on public highways and then into a wooded area. EnCon Police Officers found the two dirt bikes and operators hidden in the woods. They had covered themselves and their dirt bikes with leaves in an attempt to hide from the aircraft. Both 25 year-old men were arrested and charged with Interfering with Police, Operating an ATV on Public Highway, Operating Unregistered ATV, Operating ATV on State Property without Permission, Failure to Stop Upon Request, and Negligent Operation of an ATV.

Illegal Possession of Cobra
On 4/5/07, EnCon Police Sgt. Mike Enright and Officer Ed Yescott were provided with information that a resident in Enfield had possession of a Monacle Cobra snake, which is highly venomous and illegal to possess in Connecticut. The officers made contact with the 23 year-old owner who was keeping the snake in a cage in the cellar of his grandparents home. He agreed to voluntarily turn over the snake to a Massachusetts licensed reptile facility. He was charged with Illegal Importation of a Reptile.

Fishing Incidents
Eastern District EnCon Police Officers handled 76 fishing incidents in April, which resulted in 29 arrests and 22 written warnings.


WESTERN DISTRICT

Youtube Video Arrest
On 4/6/07, EnCon Police Officer Matt Tomassone issued a summons to a 20 year-old Canton resident for Unauthorized Use of a Forest Trail. The subject had been operating his 4- wheel drive vehicle off of the forest roads and was driving over rocks and through the forest. The subject was identified because he had a friend videotape his illegal acts, then posted them on the Internet. The vehicle was identified in the video, as there was a close up of the registration plate. When confronted with the evidence, the subject admitted to driving off road and stated that he would pay the fine.

Narcotics Arrest
On 4/21/07, EnCon Police Officer Erin Crossman was conducting a foot patrol in the campground at Black Rock State Park in Watertown. Officer Crossman observed a group of people who were smoking what appeared to be marijuana. Officer Crossman approached the group and after interviewing the subjects, located additional marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the possession of one of the subjects. Officer Crossman then located additional marijuana and psilocybin mushrooms in the possession of another one of the subjects in the group. Officer Crossman seized all the drugs and paraphernalia and placed both subjects under arrest. One for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, the second for possession of marijuana and illegal possession with intent to distribute narcotics due to the amount of psilocybin.

Pre-Season Fishing Activity
During the period of April 1st through April 20th, EnCon Police officers in the Western District handled 32 pre-season fishing complaints that resulted in 5 arrests and 6 written warnings. Several of the complaints were in areas that are open year round and the callers did not realize that there were special regulations for the areas.

Bear Complaints
During April, Western District EnCon Police officers received 123 reported sightings or complaints regarding black bears. One homeowner is facing charges after shooting a black bear that was in his yard eating birdseed out of a bird feeder. The bear was not a public safety threat and the homeowner shot the bear in the leg. The bear was successfully trapped, treated and relocated.


HARTFORD OFFICE

Northeast Fish & Wildlife Conference
Connecticut served as the host state for the 63rd Annual Northeast Fish & Wildlife Conference, which was held April 22nd through April 25th in Mystic. Wildlife biologists, scientists and conservation law enforcement personnel attend the conference from Maine to West Virginia along with the US Fish & Wildlife Service and NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service.

The Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association (NECLECA) holds their spring business meeting at the conference and provides executive level training for the Chiefs and senior command staff officers who attend. This year’s training included developing officer safety/defense programs, the importation and handling of dangerous and illegal reptiles and employee assistance programs for officers who are members of the military reserves or National Guard who are returning to law enforcement duties after active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan.

As part of the spring business meeting NECLECA elects officers for the organization. Captain Raul Camejo of the Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police was elected as President of NECLECA for the 2007/2008 term.

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Captain Raul Camejo
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police