#Westport, CT – From July 16 th through August 16 th , the Westport Domestic Violence Task Force (WDVTF) collected supplies for the two Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC) safe houses that serve residents in our area. The WDVTF sought donations of new leggings and t- shirts, bed linens, backpacks and school supplies, and gently used luggage. Collection bins were located in the lobbies of the Westport Police, Fire and Human Services Departments as well as the Westport Weston YMCA and Unitarian Church.

“The generosity of our community never ceases to amaze us. We are extremely grateful for every donation,” said Task Force Co-Chair Lieutenant Jillian Cabana. Through the drive, the WDVTF was able to collect more than 15 pieces of luggage, numerous sheet sets, leggings, shirts and a dozen backpacks, complete with the school supplies to fill them.

The Westport Domestic Violence Task Force would like to thank everyone who donated as well as the locations that sponsored and promoted our collection bins. Information on how to contribute additional monetary donations to support the Domestic Violence Crisis Center’s services can be found on the DVCC website, http://www.dvccct.org/donate.html. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, help can be reached via the 24 hour hotline, 1-888-774-2900 and additional information can be found on the DVCC website, www.dvccct.org

For more information on Westport Domestic Violence Task Force initiatives, please check out our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Westport-Domestic-Violence-Task-Force- 1550811978272839/.

(Press release)

#Westport CT–On 08/07/2018 at approximately 4:00pm, officers were dispatched to People’s Bank on a report of a male attempting to make a fraudulent transaction. Upon arrival, the suspect was located at the counter attempting to cash a forged check using fraudulent identification. The teller observed the check provided had an incorrect routing number. When asked for additional identification, the suspect produced a forged U.S. passport and a fraudulent Discover card. The name on each item belonged to an actual bank customer however, the suspect was unable to verify the personal information of the account holder. The suspect, later identified as Sammie Spells of Bronx, NY, was arrested and transported to headquarters. Spells was charged with 53a-129d Identity Theft 3rd, 53a-139 Forgery 2 nd , 53a-140 Forgery 3rd, 53a-128c Credit Card Theft and 53a-49 Criminal Attempt at Larceny 3 rd . Spells was held in lieu of $10,000 and was transported to Norwalk court for arraignment.

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#Westport CT–On 08/06/2018, the victim came to police headquarters to report a violation of a protective order. Earlier in the day, the victim received a Facebook “friend request” from Karen Backus, 55, of Trumbull, CT. An active Order of Protection was in effect at the time of the request, which prohibited Backus from contacting the victim in any manner. An arrest warrant application for Backus was submitted and later approved. On 08/07/2018, Backus turned herself in at police headquarters on the active warrant. She was charged with 53a-223 Criminal Violation of Protective Order; Non-Threatening. Backus was released after posting $20,000 court set bond.

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#Westport CT–On 08/03/2018 at approximately 11:45pm, officers were dispatched to a residence on a report of a disturbance. Officers learned the suspect, who is not allowed inside the residence, arrived and demanded $100 payment from the elderly victim for outdoor electrical work. The victim refused and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, the suspect, Todd Seligson, removed the wallet from the victim’s rear pocket by force and took $1,400 from it before leaving the residence. Officers located Seligson at his residence. He was taken into custody and charged with 53a-136 Robbery 3 rd , 53a-125 Larceny 4 th , 53a-182 Disorderly Conduct and 53a-107 Criminal Trespass. He was unable to post $25,000 bond and was transported to Norwalk Superior Court for arraignment on 08/06/2018.

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