Month: August 2021

2021-08-24@6:15pm–#Bridgeport CT– Report of a large hydraulic spill at Macon Drive and Derman Circle (Off Old Town Road. Firefighters call in the spill truck.

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The Bridgeport Police Department’s Robbery/Burglary unit is looking to identify the above individual shown wearing the Adidas tee-shirt. He is responsible for multiple crimes on the west side of the city, including a carjacking on Carleton Ave. on August 11th, 2021, during which the victim was assaulted. This individual is considered armed and dangerous.

Earlier today, on 08/24/21, he engaged the patrol division in a pursuit in a stolen white 2021 Honda HRV  (similar to the vehicle pictured above), bearing New York registration KNA-7998. During the pursuit, he intentionally struck a patrol car occupied by an officer.

This individual, along with the two other individuals shown above, are part of a group stealing and transporting vehicles between Bridgeport and Westchester County, New York. They also recently are believed to have engaged the New York State Police in a pursuit on Interstate 87.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Bridgeport Police Department’s tip-line at (203) 576-TIPS (8477), or the Robbery/Burglary Unit at (203) 581-5293.

All tips will be considered confidential.      

STRATFORD- In keeping with tradition, earlier this summer Mayor Laura R. Hoydick kicked off
the 2021 Mayor’s Reading Champion program, whereby she invited Stratford youth ages 0-12
to commit to reading at least 8 books this summer. The program concludes with a celebratory
reception on Wednesday, August 18th from 4:30-6:30pm on the grounds of the historic Perry
House.
The program returns for its eighth year after taking a year off in 2020 due to the COVID-19
pandemic. Over 200 students have registered to participate in this years challenge. In the past,
nearly 1,700 students have read over 17,000 books to complete the challenge. The Office of the
Mayor and the Stratford Public Library in partnership with Stratford Schools sponsor the
program.
“I am pleased to bring the Reading Champion challenge back to Stratford’s youth”, said Mayor
Hoydick. “Establishing healthy reading habits in children is vital, especially today when so much
of their days are spent on a screen. I am proud of these students and I am honored to help instill
in them a love of reading at an early age.”
At the reception, participants will receive a certificate of completion and the opportunity for a
photo-op with Mayor Hoydick. A balloon artist will be on hand and individually wrapped ice
cream sundaes will be served by Goody Basset’s Ice Cream. Distribution of goody bags and a
free book from the library will round out the event.
The reception is being framed as a “drop-by” event in an effort to avoid large gatherings. Social
distancing will be practiced. If you registered for the event and prefer not to attend, please email
kdoyle@townofstratford.com to arrange to receive your certificate, goody bag and book.

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2021-08-23@2:47pm–#Fairfield CT–#cttraffic–A crash between a car and box truck in the right beak down lane has commuter traffic slowed.

2021-08-23@1:44pm–#Bridgeport CT– A woman was transported to the hospital after being hit by a vehicle on Lewis Street. There were no further details.

On November 30, 2020, the Westport Police took multiple reports of motor vehicle
burglaries as well as a report of a stolen car. These incidents occurred during the early morning
hours in the Compo Beach section of town. On December 2, 2020, a party identified as Edwin
Cordero as well as a second male were arrested by the Stratford, CT police. At the time of this
arrest, the two men were reportedly found to be in possession of a piece property that was stolen
during one of the above-mentioned motor vehicle burglaries. During the investigation, which
included the execution of a search warrant, additional evidence linking Mr. Cordero and his
accomplice to these crimes was reportedly obtained. Furthermore, there was evidence which
purportedly tied the two men to the theft of a motor vehicle which occurred in Westport on
October 6, 2020.

Based upon the investigation, a warrant for Mr. Cordero’s arrest was completed and
signed by a Superior Court judge.
On the morning of August 10, 2021, Mr. Cordero was arrested by Westport detectives.
Per the warrant, he was charged with five counts of Burglary in the Third Degree, Conspiracy to
Commit Burglary in the Third Degree, Larceny in the First Degree, Conspiracy to Commit
Larceny in the First Degree, Larceny in the Fifth Degree, and four counts of Larceny in the Sixth
Degree. Mr. Cordero was held on a $200,000.00 bond and was arraigned at Stamford Superior
Court later that same day.

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Attorney General William Tong announced a $75 million settlement today between today states and the federal government resolving allegations that Bristol-Myers Squibb Company overcharged the state Medicaid programs for drugs.  The investigation resulted from a qui tam action filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania under the federal False Claims Act and various state false claims statutes. Bristol-Myers Squibb is a New York-based pharmaceutical manufacturer. The Connecticut Medicaid program will receive $1.3 million through the settlement.

“Bristol-Myers-Squibb wrongly withheld millions of dollars in rebates owed to state Medicaid programs. This national settlement will return $75 million back to the states and federal government, and should serve as a strong deterrent to any company seeking to unlawfully shortchange our public healthcare programs,” said Attorney General Tong.

“This $75 million national settlement shines a light on how taxpayer-financed Medicaid programs, by federal law, are supposed to receive significant rebates from drug manufacturers.  The settlement is a positive development for Connecticut and other states, and a reminder that manufacturers need to scrupulously observe the protocols and processes governing the rebate amounts,” said Department of Social Services Commissioner Deidre S. Gifford, whose agency administers Medicaid in the state.  

“Bristol Myers Squibb’s actions resulted in the company improperly withholding Medicaid Funds needed by our most vulnerable state residents,” Chief State’s Attorney Richard J. Colangelo, Jr., said. “This collaborative investigative effort between the Attorney General’s office, the Division of Criminal Justice and federal agencies sends a clear message that the improper diversion of Connecticut Medicaid funds will not be tolerated and will result in serious consequences from civil fines, as shown in this case, up to and including possible criminal charges.”

Specifically, these settlements resolve allegations that Bristol-Myers Squibb underpaid drug rebates owed to the states.  Under a federal law known as the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, drug manufacturers must periodically return a portion of the amount paid by state Medicaid programs for the manufacturers’ drugs.  The rebate program is designed to ensure that states pay competitive prices for drugs, and the rebates for a manufacturer’s drugs are calculated based on a percentage of the average prices drug wholesalers pay for each of the drugs.  This average price, which the manufacturer reports to the federal government, is known as the Average Manufacturer’s Price or “AMP”.  The greater the AMP reported by the manufacturer, the greater the rebate the manufacturer must pay for that drug. 

The whistleblower’s complaint alleged that Bristol-Myers Squibb improperly treated certain fees paid to wholesalers as “discounts,” and improperly failed to include certain “price appreciation” amounts it received from wholesalers in its AMP calculations, and that the effect of these accounting practices was to falsely decrease the AMP the companies reported to the federal government and improperly decrease the rebates paid to the states. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.

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2021-08-22@11:34pm–#Bridgeport CT–Police are investigating a stabbing outside the Copa Restaurant at 181 Lexington Avenue.  Police were looking inside the car parked outside the restaurant.  Radio reports say the man was stabbed several times in the abdomen.

Police UPDATE:

On August 22, 2021, at approximately 00:16 hours, Bridgeport Patrol Officers responded to the scene of an accident on Stratford Avenue and East Main Street. A Suzuki GSR motorcycle collided with a Toyota Camry, causing serve injuries to the operator Donald Fountain, who expired from his injuries; the vehicle’s operator suffered minor injuries. The family of the deceased was notified.

The Bridgeport Police Accident Reconstruction Team has responded to assist the Patrol Division and conduct further investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Bridgeport Police Department’s Traffic Division (Sergeant Gabe Meszaros) at 203-576-7640.

2021-08-22@12:16am– #Bridgeport CT– A pedestrian was hit by a car at the intersection of East Main Street and Stratford Avenue. A viewer sent in this photo who said a crime scene was set up for an investigation. I checked with Bridgeport Police for additional information but I know they are busy with the storm at this time. As soon as I get an update I will let you know.

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that due to the severe weather anticipated to impact Connecticut from Hurricane Henri, he is implementing a travel ban on all empty tractor trailers, tandem tractor trailers, and motorcycles on Interstate 95 effective at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 22, 2021, until further notice.

“During peak periods of the storm, the heavy rain and strong wings will make travel unsafe, particularly along the coast in the area of I-95,” Governor Lamont said. “I encourage everyone to stay off the roads on Sunday and into Monday morning to the greatest extent possible.”

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