2023-03-23@5:05pm– Firefighters were called to St. Vincent’s Hospital at 2800 Main Street for an activated alarm. When they arrived they discovered smoke coming from the 3rd-floor vents according to radios. They remain on the scene investigating.
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The Armed Robbery
#Norwalk CT–On March 22, 2023, at 11:45 PM, a female victim walked into the Norwalk Police Department to report an armed street robbery. She reported that moments prior, she was walking on Henry Street when a red vehicle pulled up alongside her. Two occupants exited the car, with one of them pointing a gun at her while the other hit her in the face with another gun as they attempted to steal her purse. They took her money and fled in the vehicle while the victim ran to the police station to report the incident. The victim was checked by EMS while at police headquarters.
The Stolen Car
Moments later, at 11:49 PM, the Norwalk Police Combined Dispatch Center received a call from a man at the Mobil gas station located at 219 East Avenue, reporting that his vehicle had just been stolen. The vehicle owner reported that he was inside the gas station when he saw two men enter his vehicle and drive off with it, as he had left it running.
Investigation
Norwalk Police Detectives assigned to both incidents developed information that a similar vehicle was used in both locations, leading them to believe that the incidents may be connected. The stolen vehicle was later recovered in Bridgeport and transported back to Norwalk Police headquarters for examination.
Call for Public Help
The investigation into these incidents is ongoing, and the Norwalk Police Department is asking for the public’s help. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Fitzmaurice of the Norwalk Police Department at (203)854-3180 or by email at dfitzmaurice@norwalkct.org. Anonymous information can also be provided through the methods listed below.
Conclusion
The armed robbery and stolen car incident on March 22, 2023, in Norwalk, Connecticut, have left the police department in search of the perpetrators. The female victim who reported the armed robbery was hit in the face and had her purse stolen by two men who later drove off in a red vehicle, which was later identified as the stolen vehicle reported from the Mobil gas station. The Norwalk Police Detectives assigned to both incidents are investigating the cases and believe they may be connected. The stolen vehicle was later recovered in Bridgeport and transported back to Norwalk Police headquarters for examination. The police department is urging anyone with information on these incidents to contact Detective Fitzmaurice of the Norwalk Police Department at (203)854-3180 or by email at dfitzmaurice@norwalkct.org. Anonymous information can also be provided through the methods listed below.
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#Bridgeport CT–On March 21, 2023, a 21-year-old male resident of the westside of Bridgeport arrived at an area hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg. The victim reported that he was shot while walking within the PT Barnum Housing Complex in the vicinity of buildings 5 and 6. No suspect(s) description is available at this time, and there were no ShotSpotter activations recorded. The Detective Bureau has taken over the investigation and is requesting anyone with information about the crime to contact the case officer, Detective Jose Bahr, at 203-581-5225.
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On March 22, 2023, the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) determined the cause and manner of death of the unidentified party found at 905 Clinton Avenue on March 21, 2023.
The cause of death is blunt injuries of the head. The manner of death has been certified as a homicide.
The unidentified victim is described as a Hispanic Male, 5’4” tall, 135 pounds, with straight black hair, and brown eyes (approximate age is 30-35 years old). At the time of death, the victim was wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and black pants.
The Bridgeport Police Homicide Squad has officially taken charge of the investigation. Anyone with information about this crime and/or the identity of the victim is requested to contact Detective Thomas Harper at 203-581-5239 or utilize the Bridgeport Police Tips Line at 203-576-TIPS.
#Bridgeport CT–On March 16, 2022, at approximately 5:20 pm, Bridgeport Police responded to 590 East Main Street (rear parking lot) on the report of party shot at that location. Upon arrival officers observed a victim, later identified as Thomas Asbury DOB 7/26/1999, laying on the ground in the parking lot next to a vehicle. He was suffering from two gunshot wounds to the torso. AMR ambulance arrived and transported the victim to Bridgeport Hospital. The Detective Bureau responded to conduct their investigation and process the crime scene.
Mr. Asbury never recovered from his injuries and ultimately passed away at Bridgeport Hospital on May 6, 2022.
The Detective Bureau Homicide Squad took over this investigation on April 20, 2022. As a result of the investigation led by Detective Thomas Harper, the shooter was identified as 21-year-old Azaya Stefurak of Bridgeport CT. An arrest warrant was prepared and secured by Det. Harper.
On March 22, 2023, the US Marshal’s Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force took Azaya Stefurak into custody and served him with the arrest warrant charging him with Murder, Carrying a Pistol without a Permit, and Illegal Possession of a Weapon in a Motor Vehicle. He is being held on a 1-million-dollar bond. Stefurak is scheduled to be arraigned in court (172 Golden Hill Street, BPT) on March 23, 2023.
2023-03-22@4:40pm–#Fairfield CT– #cttraffic– A crash on I-95 northbound near exit 22 taking out the center and left lanes for your commuting pleasure.
2023-03-22@4:13pm–#Bridgeport CT– #cttraffic– A crash Route 8/25 southbound where else but exit 2.
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On February 3rd, 2023, Westport Police responded to Ulta Beauty (1365 Post Rd E) on a report of a shoplifting. Ulta Beauty has seen a significant increase in shoplifting and as such started using GPS tracking software on their products in an attempt to deter thefts. On this date, unknown suspects entered the store, stole merchandise, and fled the scene in a white vehicle. While on the scene, the investigating officer was notified that the tracking device was activated and currently tracking the item. Through an investigation by our Detective Bureau, the owner of the vehicle was identified and subsequently, they were able to identify the operator of
the vehicle.
The investigation led to Mr. Nadirashvili as the alleged operator of the vehicle who
admitted to driving individuals to the stores but denied having any involvement with the thefts. Mr. Nadirashvili made himself available for an interview at Westport PD and while at the police department, detectives noted he was driving the same vehicle that was used during the commission of the crime. While at the police department, Mr. Nadirashvili attempted to show detectives that there was no stolen merchandise in the car, but the GPS tracker that was attached to the stolen merchandise was found in his car.
A warrant was issued and on March 21st, 2023 Mr. Nadirashvili turned himself into Westport Police Department where he was charged with the above crimes. Mr. Nadirashvili was released after posting a court-set bond of $20,000 and assigned a court date of March 30th , 2023 at Stamford Superior Court.
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The residents of Fairfield may face restrictions on lawn maintenance and other noisy activities on weekends and weekdays, following proposed changes to the town’s noise ordinance. The changes include the “plainly audible standard” instead of the need to measure decibels, and set times for certain activities. The new ordinance aims to give authorities more leeway to punish people causing a disturbance.
The proposed noise ordinance replaces the decibel measurement with the “plainly audible standard.” This means that if a police officer can easily hear music through a speaker, they can take enforcement action. The standard mainly covers music and sound amplification devices.
The changes to the noise ordinance also include set times for certain activities. Lawn and home maintenance, music, power tools, and horn blaring are restricted until 8 p.m. on weekdays and 6 p.m. on weekends. Previously, the ordinance listed only daytime and nighttime as restrictions.
The proposed changes to the noise ordinance are a result of an increase in residents’ noise complaints, especially in the beach area and the neighborhood around Burr Homestead. The town-owned building hosts events that have spurred complaints from nearby residents about loud music. One resident even joked that she knew an event was about to end when she heard “Shout” by the Isley Brothers playing from the speakers there a block away.
The police department is limited in its ability to enforce the noise ordinance because it has only one sound meter. Officers often opt to use state statutes when issuing violations, calling the current ordinance onerous.
The addition of set times during the daytime when residents can create certain types and levels of noise caused some contention in the discussion. Republicans opposed the 6 p.m. cutoff on weekends for landscaping-related sound, stating that people should not be restricted in the use of their property. They were concerned the proposed ordinance could infringe on people’s freedoms.
Democrats spoke in support of the changes, including Michelle Lapine McCabe from District 4, who said the proposal has relatively modest changes to what is already on the books, adding she does not see them as overly dramatic. She said extending it to daylight hours makes sense given there are more people working from home now. Dru Mercer Georgiadis, a member from the District 9 who lives in the beach area, said people need to know the rules so they can respect them.
The proposed changes to the noise ordinance are a result of an increase in noise complaints from residents. While some people believe the new restrictions are an infringement on their freedoms, others support the changes and say they are necessary to maintain consistency and reduce disturbances.
New contest prompts encourage students to show off their energy efficiency smarts; deadline March 31
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – Energize Connecticut℠ sponsors, Eversource and AVANGRID, Inc. subsidiaries United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas, announced today that the 18th annual eesmarts™ Student Contest is now accepting student submissions until March 31, 2023.
Updates to grade-specific prompts have been made this year to foster students’ creativity and allow for new technologies and social media platforms to be used in responses. The contest is open to Connecticut students in grades K-12 and topics are focused on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability solutions.
“For almost two decades, the eesmarts Student Contest has engaged students throughout Connecticut and has asked them to use their imagination and knowledge to come up with solutions to address real-world energy matters,” said Eversource Vice President of Energy Efficiency and Electric Mobility Tilak Subrahmanian. “Our new prompts are designed to foster creativity and empower students to leverage new technologies and tools that are readily available to them today. We are excited to see how students implement these platforms to address critical energy issues and the importance of energy efficiency in their responses this year.”
“Computers, video, social media and even, gaming technology have changed how students interact with and learn about important environmental issues like energy conservation, renewable energy and energy efficiency,” said Erik Robie, Director of Customer Programs & Products at AVANGRID. “Our students are our future. We hope that with these changes more students are engaged in the eesmarts Student Contest and inspire others to make meaningful change in our community.”
Students in grades K-8 are assigned grade-specific topics and asked to submit their entries in the form of a poster (Grades K-2), narrative (Grade 3), letter to the principal (Grade 4), children’s picture book (Grade 5), persuasive TikTok (Grade 6), anime or comic strip (Grade 7), or a public service announcement for social media (Grade 8).
Students in Grades 9-11 are asked to propose a community-based project to address an energy-related issue. Students may work in groups of up to three members. The winning team’s school will receive funding to help make their proposed project a reality and must complete it by March 31, 2024.
Students competing in the Grade 12 category will produce a persuasive infographic that advocates for energy conservation and alternate energy sources. Infographics are eye-catching, concise overviews (typically one page) that contain images, data visualizations (charts or graphs), and minimal text. Entries will be evaluated based on scientific accuracy and concise and convincing imagery.
Finalists in all categories and grade levels will be honored at a special awards ceremony to be held in May 2023. Winners will receive a certificate and an Amazon gift card.
For more information about the contest, please visit www.eesmarts.com/contest.
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