January 2014 – Page 22

BPT Police News: ATM Thieves Sought

(Bridgeport, CT – Jan. 10, 2014) – Police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying individuals responsible for the theft of an ATM machine.

The photo below shows several suspects who are responsible for a break-in at 1197 East Main St. on Jan. 10, 2014.

The suspects stole an ATM machine, which was later located this morning at the intersection of Waldemere and Iranistan avenues in the South End. The suspects were unable to gain access to the cash compartment.

Anyone who has information on the incident or knows the identity of the suspects in the photo is asked to contact Detective Tito Cotto of the Burglary Unit at 203-581-5201

This is the second ATM recovered in the area within the past week. The first was located in Marina Village on Tuesday. That ATM was reported taken in a burglary that occurred at the variety store located at the intersection of Wayne and Savoy streets.

Nacho fire

3:39pm–#Fairfield CT–Firefighters on the way to 93 Fields Rock Road for a tray of nachos on fire in the oven.

Sexual Assault Arrest

In October of 2013, Wallingford Police Detectives were provided information by a victim/minor’s, parents that a crime of sexual assault occurred in the Town of Wallingford. They believed someone known to the family was the perpetrator and that he resided in Fairfield. They also believed that additional crimes may have occurred in the Towns of Fairfield and Stratford by the same suspect. Wallingford Detectives conducted a voluntary interview of Robert Purcell

in October, at the Fairfield Police Department. The interview and other supporting evidence confirmed that Purcell had assaulted the victim/minor over 12 times during a four year period.
On 11/26/13, Robert Purcell was taken into custody by Fairfield Detectives serving an active
Wallingford Arrest Warrant for Sex Assault in the 1st Degree. Purcell was turned over to Det. Zarella of the Wallingford Police Department.

Fairfield Detective Beth Irizarry initiated a parallel investigation, collaborating with an Inspector at the Bridgeport Superior Court, Wallingford Detectives and the State’s Attorney’s office in New Haven. Det. Irizarry gathered evidence supporting that in fact, an assault had taken place in Fairfield between Purcell and a victim/minor boy in February 2011. The incident occurred in Purcell’s home and was described as the most serious of all the events.

Purcell came to Fairfield Police Department this morning knowing there was an outstanding
warrant for his arrest and he was charged with Sexual Assault 1st Degree and Risk of Injury to a minor. The warrant had a court set bond of $100,000 and Purcell was transported to Bridgeport
court for arraignment today.

Today’s Car Fire

11:40am–#Westport CT–Today’s car fire was actually a truck fire on I-95 near exit 18. The fire was extinguished and the truck removed. Traffic is flowing once again, for now…..
Thanks Scott Brown for the pic!

Stillson Road is icy according to police

12:19pm–#Fairfield CT–Police are reporting that Stillson Road near Mill Plain Road is icy. Public works has just been dispatched.

Large Gas Leak In Bridgeport

12:05pm–#Bridgeport CT–Firefighters on scene at 350 Fairfield Avenue with multiple buildings reporting an odor of gas. The buildings are being evacuated.

Fairfield Crash

1:33am–#Fairfield CT–A car has crashed into a utility pole on Jennings Road near Holland Hill Road. Driver says he is not injured but police want him checked out by EMS.

Wake up Bridgeport

11:55pm–#Bridgeport CT–Wake up Bridgeport! Odor of gas indoors at 296 Bunnell Street. Here come a bunch of fire trucks!

Gasoline leak after crash

11:20pm–#Fairfield CT–About ten gallons of gasoline on the ground after a crash on South Benson Road. An unknown amount has gone down the sewer drain and DEEP requested to the scene. No reported injuries.

Nearly $145K in Drug Money Seized on Tuesday

#Bridgeport, CT – Jan. 9, 2014 – Police seized crack cocaine and $144,772 in cash while executing a search and seizure warrant on Ellsworth Street. Melissa Lepore, 28, was charged with possession of narcotics with intent to sell. The investigation is ongoing.

Police executed the warrant after developing information about a possible drug operation and a large amount of cash at that location.
The cash is believed to be proceeds from a significant marijuana-selling operation. Intelligence generated by investigators also indicated that the seized cash had been buried in the ground in another jurisdiction inside Connecticut and subsequently dug up and moved to the Ellsworth Street address.
Police executed the warrant on Tuesday and recovered the money. In addition to the cash and drugs, police also seized a Jeep vehicle.