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.