Month: August 2017

Unless you have been avoiding social media and the news, there will be a solar eclipse tomorrow across the nation.  Our area will only get less than a  70%  view of it.  I received an email from Congressman Himes that he will be observing it at the Westport Astronomical Society.

I can go either way on this so I’d like to hear what you have to say about it.  You know we are going to get lots of Facebook Live and reports from all the other media in places that will be getting 100% view of it.  Should I go and do a Facebook Live report or is my time better served monitoring the radios?

8:40pm–#Bridgeport CT– A strong armed robbery was just reported at Wayne and Madison Avenue.  The victim’s wallet was taken by force by two males, no weapon was used.

This news report is made possible by:

UPDATE: At 3:49pm on 08/20/2017, Fairfield ECC received a 911 call for a male who was on the water and suffered a laceration and he was bleeding heavily. Fairfield Police Marine Unit responded with Fire and AMR personnel on board.
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The vessel was located approximately 1 nautical mile west of Penfield Lighthouse.  Westport Police Marine Unit assisted as well as a good-Samaritan who was rendering first aid to the victim prior to Police arrival. The victim was identified as Wigberto J Mendez 08/13/48 from Waterbury CT.  Further investigation into the accident revealed that Mendez was traveling east returning back to Dolphins Cove launch ramp in Bridgeport at about 15 knots, when the steering cable snapped which caused the vessel to turn violently, at which point Mendez was ejected from the vessel. It was determined that the vessel turned in a circle and ran Mendez over. Mendez suffered several deep lacerations caused by the vessel’s propeller before he was pulled back on board the vessel by the two individuals he was with Jose Ebhebarria 10/21/76 and Tim Philavanh 10/02/69. Mendez was transported aboard PB1 and brought to Ye Yacht Yard in Southport Harbor where AMR then transported to St. Vincent’s Medical Center. No alcohol was detected at the time of
the incident.

(Fairfield Fire Department Press Release)

3:39pm–#Fairfield CT– A person on a boat received a serious laceration to his upper arm when his boat was out near the Penfield Lighthouse.  First responders coordinate their efforts under Assistant Chief Gomola (I recognize his voice on the radio).  EMS reported to the marina where they were dispatched by fireboat.

This news report is made possible by:

Michael “Buddha” Catchings age 21 of Stratford was arrested in connection with the shooting death of Raenetta Catchings on 08-13- 2017. A second victim was also shot but survived his injuries. The arrest comes after an intense investigation by the Stratford Police Department. Michael Catchings if the uncle of the deceased victim Reanetta. He turned himself into Officers as a result of a warrant for the incident.
Michael Catchings is charged with the following:
Manslaughter In The 1 st Degree With A Firearm
Criminal Use Of A Firearm
Criminal Possession Of A Firearm
Unlawful Discharge Of A Firearm
Carrying A Firearm Without A Permit
Reckless Endangerment 1 st Degree
Breach Of The Peace 2 nd Degree
Criminal Attempt Murder
Assault in the 1st Degree
Threatening in the 1st Degree

He is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Court on 08-29- 2017. He has a court set bond of $500,000.
“I’d like to thank the Stratford Police Department for their diligence in their investigation and in making a timely arrest in this case,” said Stratford Mayor John Harkins. “This event was a tragedy on many levels, and it is my hope that those responsible will be brought to justice and the families of the victims can get some closure.”

(Stratford Police Press Release)

The Bridgeport Police Department Tactical Narcotics Team conducted a long-term drug investigation into a large-scale narcotics trafficker, later identified Clark Thomas. Investigations revealed that THOMAS has been distributing large quantities of heroin crack-cocaine, and marijuana throughout the city of Bridgeport and lower Fairfield County. As a result of the investigation, search and seizure warrants were gained for two separate residences, which THOMAS implicated during the investigation, located at 2370 North Avenue, Bridgeport and 98 Tuckahoe Drive, Shelton. In addition, investigators obtained search warrants for his person and for his vehicle; a 2006 Ford F-250 pickup truck, which investigators witnessed THOMAS use to deliver narcotics.

 
On August 18, 2017, the Tactical Narcotics Team, working tandem with the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Statewide Narcotics Task Force initiated surveillance of THOMAS at his 98 Tuckahoe Drive residence. THOMAS eventually departed his residence in his 2006 Ford F-250 and was followed through the back roads of Shelton to route 15 South. Surveillance teams tailed THOMAS into Norwalk, where he was taken into custody with the assistance of the Norwalk Police. THOMAS was found to be transporting a large quantity of marijuana and $18,400, which was determined to be proceeds of illegal drug sales. Most the
money was found in a plastic grocery bag, bundled up in very amounts and denominations. His truck is being seized as an instrumentality of the crime and will be subject to State of Connecticut Asset and Forfeiture proceedings. After THOMAS was taken into custody, multi- agency search warrant entries were coordinated at 2370 North Avenue and 98 Tuckahoe addresses.

 
Seized from 2370 North Avenue were over 400 bags of high grade heroin, over 300 grams of crack-cocaine, over 100 grams of powder cocaine, approximately 2 ounces of marijuana, body armor, and approximately $5,000 in Jewelry, all of which was seized as evidence. The jewelry will also be subjected to appraisal and asset/forfeiture proceedings. Seized from the 98 Tuckahoe residence, with the assistance of Shelton Police Detectives and drug detection K-9 Officer, was a money counter and documentation further implicating Thomas in the investigation. Clark THOMAS was charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent To Sell,
Possession of Narcotics With Intent To Sell, Operating a Drug Factory and Criminal Possession of Body Armor. He was held in lieu of $50,000 pending his arraignment in court (GA2).

(Bridgeport Police Press Release)