#Westport CT– On October 12, 2022, at approximately 8:25 p.m., an officer on routine patrol pulled a car over for a motor vehicle violation in the area of 379 Post Road East. The driver was identified as Juan Velasco. Mr. Velasco reportedly admitted that his license was currently suspended and that the car he was driving was not registered. Additionally, the officer observed drug paraphernalia in plain view. A search of the car yielded additional paraphernalia as well as a pair of homemade nunchucks.
Mr. Velasco was arrested and charged with Weapons in Vehicles, Misuse of a LicensePlate, Operating a Motor Vehicle Under Suspension, Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle, Failure to Display License Plates, and Failure to Wear a Seatbelt in the Front Seat. He was held on a $5,000.00 bond and transported to Stamford Superior Court the morning of October 13 to be arraigned.
Two other individuals who were in the car were also taken into custody. RobertKonigsberg, had multiple outstanding warrants for Failure to Appear and the other had an outstanding warrant issued by the Torrington Police Department. However, neither passenger was charged in relation to the Westport incident.
WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) sent a letter with a bipartisan coalition of 31 U.S. senators urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as swiftly and at the highest level as possible.
“Given the alarming increase in energy costs that is forecast for this winter, we worked to secure an additional $1 billion in emergency funding for LIHEAP in the recently enacted short-term CR. It is critical that this funding, as well as the significant base funding available under the CR, is distributed as quickly as possible so it reaches these households in time for the winter heating season,” said the lawmakers.
LIHEAP is administered by states and accessed through local Community Action Agencies. Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on income, family size, and the availability of resources. Senior citizens and those receiving Social Security Disability or SSI benefits are encouraged to apply as early as possible, but applications will be open to everyone through spring of 2023 — or until the funding is exhausted.
The senators wrote that the federal LIHEAP funding is a crucial lifeline that assists low-income households and seniors on fixed incomes in paying their energy bills and staying safe during the winter.
Earlier this month, Murphy and Blumenthal helped secure $1 billion in LIHEAP funding in the Continuing Resolution to fund the government. This will translate to an estimated $21 million for Connecticut’s LIHEAP program.
This press release was made possible by our sponsor who accepts heating assistance.
2022-10-18 @3:00PMish–#Bridgeport CT– #ctfire–Firefighters fought a stubborn electrical car fire at Gurdon and Summit Street. A witness told me the electrical car was rear-ended, possibly due to sun glare which was apparent in the video. The car then veered onto Gurdon Street where it hit a school bus waiting at the stop sign.Bridgeport FD posted on their Facebook page: Bridgeport, CT Fire Department responds to three car MVA with one vehicle on fire today at 15:10 hrs. One person transported to ER by AMR.
2022-10-18@1:40pm– A search for a man since 9:00pm last night in Shelton Avenue has a happy ending with the man being located. He is on the way to the hospital for evaluation having spent the night outdoors.
2022-10-18@8:00AMish–#Bridgeport CT– Gilbert Nieves sent in these photos of a crash between a tractor-trailer and a utility pole which caused power to go out in the area of North and Wood Avenue.
Attorney General William Tong and Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull are urging Connecticut charities and donors to be on alert for bad actors and scams during this year’s International Charity Fraud Awareness Week, a global campaign to prevent and fight fraud in the charity sector.
All charities, NGOs and not-for-profits are susceptible to fraud and can be easily targeted by bad actors looking to take advantage of them. Those providing services and supporting local communities may be especially vulnerable to fraudsters attempting to exploit recent crises such as the war in Ukraine and Hurricanes Fiona and Ian to carry out fraud and cybercrime. Donors looking to give charitably this season are also targets for bad actors who prey upon their generosity by creating fraudulent charities.
“As we approach the holiday season and the prime time for charitable giving, it’s important to be on alert for bad actors and scammers looking to not only swindle generous people out of their money, but also prevent people in need from getting the support they deserve,” Attorney General Tong said. “While there are many good-hearted people who want to help others in their time of need, there are also scammers lurking to take advantage of the situation. Be sure to do your homework and check whom you’re dealing with. Don’t give in to high pressure tactics. And remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
“As we enter the holiday season, when charitable giving is at its peak, we remind everyone to use caution and do their research as they consider where to direct their donations this year,” said DCP Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull. “We don’t want to discourage anyone from being generous. Our goal is to empower consumers and charitable organizations alike to make wise choices and avoid becoming the victim of a scam.”
Tips for Giving Safely This Year:
Here are some tips to protect yourself from fraud and ensure you are donating to legitimate charities and organizations:
• Charities soliciting in Connecticut must be registered with the Department of Consumer Protection. You can verify a registration by visiting elicense.ct.gov.
• Don’t be pressured. Do not donate if the solicitor uses high-pressure tactics, asks for payment in cash or insists on sending someone to pick up your donation
• Be careful when giving out your personal information or credentials. Sometimes donors are required to make an account with their personal information to give to a charity. Those accounts can be compromised, and your information can be stolen.
• Keep records of your donations. If you donate by credit card, check your statements closely to make sure you’re charged only for what you agreed to donate.
Protecting Your Charity:
If you run a charity or non-profit organization, it is important that you protect yourself from fraud. Now more than ever, charities need to be fraud aware and take steps to protect their assets, donations, and information from bad actors.
• Don’t click on links within unexpected or unsolicited emails and text messages.
• Always double check whom you’re working with. Criminals are experts at impersonating people and businesses.
• Thoroughly vet unsolicited offers of ‘free help’ or financial support where an advanced fee payment is required.
• Regularly check your charity’s bank statements to spot unusual or suspicious activity.
2022-10-17@11:11pm–#Fairfield CT– Police are investigating a possible break-in at Chaves Bakery on Kings Highway East. Entry was made according to radio reports. I’ll leave the dough and bread puns for our viewers.
#Bridgeport CT– Over the past several months, the Bridgeport North End homes, specifically Sacred Heart University off-campus rental properties, were plagued with a rash of residential burglaries. Officers identified Holness, Rajiv as the suspect using video footage obtained at the scenes. Holness later confessed to committing the burglaries when interviewed.
On October 17, 2022, Rajiv Holness was taken into custody by the Bridgeport Police Department Robbery/Burglary Unit and served with felony and misdemeanor burglary warrants. Holness was charged with one count of Burglary in the First Degree, six counts of Burglary in the Third Degree, and seven counts of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree.
His bonds total $150,000 and he is scheduled to appear in court on October 18, 2022.
2022-10-17@9:00PMish–#Seymour CT– First responders are looking for a missing person in the Shelton Street area. The person is thought to be on foot in the area and area towns are providing all-terrain off-road vehicles to aid in the search.
2022-10-17@11:32am–#Orange CT– #ctfire–In the rain there is a front lawn on fire in the 600 block of Grassy Hill Road. Downed power lines reportedly started the fire.
