The Stratford Police Department’s Narcotics, Vice, and Intelligence Unit recently conducted an investigation into activities at The Garden Spa, located at 1804 Barnum Avenue in Stratford. Following the investigation, a search warrant was executed at the spa on August 29, 2024.
Yushan Li, 62, and Shun Yu Quan, 61, were taken into custody and charged with prostitution. Both women were released on a $10,000 bond and are scheduled to appear in court on September 12, 2024.
During the operation, $10,223 in cash, cell phones, and various financial documents were seized as evidence. Additionally, the Stratford Health Department has issued a Cease-and-Desist Order, which has been posted at the entrance of the establishment.
At approximately 3:45pm the Bridgeport Fire Department was dispatched to a water emergency in the area of Long Beach (Stratford). Bridgeport Fireboat 233 arrived to find a 32-foot vessel taking on water. Seven persons were found to be onboard the vessel. 5 were removed to the Fireboat, while 2 remained onboard the original vessel to assist Seatow with its towing operations. All returned to the public safety dock in Bridgeport and no injuries were reported.
On both July 18, 2024, and July 22, 2024, Norwalk Combined Dispatch received reports of several copper plumbing fixtures stolen from Yankee Doodle and North Water Parking Garage. Detectives processed both crime scenes and obtained video footage from the surrounding areas. Through their investigations, they identified the suspect in both incidents as Johnathan Williamson, a 34-year-old resident of Stamford. Arrest warrants were obtained, and on August 28, 2024, Williamson, who was already in custody for similar charges, was brought to Stamford Court, where he was charged with Larceny in the Fifth Degree and Larceny in the Sixth Degree. His bond was set at $25,000 for the July 18 incident and an additional $25,000 for the July 22 incident.
2024 Labor Day Weekend Traffic Statistics – 08/31/2024 The following are preliminary Labor Day Weekend traffic statistics. These are reflective of the time period beginning at midnight Friday, August 30th, 2024 and ending at 11:59 p.m., on Saturday, August 31st, 2024. The Connecticut State Police had a total of 2,842 calls for service. Speeding Violations – 316 Seatbelt Violations – 7 Hazardous Moving Violations (Following too Closely, Failure to Move Over, etc.) – 211 DUI Arrests – 12 Motor Vehicle Accidents – 192 With Injury – 13 Fatalities – 1 (Windsor) Serious Injury – 1 (Cromwell) Motorist Assists (Disabled Vehicles, Debris in Roadway, etc.) – 214
On 08/28/2024 at approximately 11:39 AM, a Trooper assigned to Troop G in Bridgeport responded to I-95 Southbound in the area of Exit 17 in Westport for a disabled tractor trailer in a hazardous location in the median portion of the highway.
Prior to reaching the tractor trailer, the trooper was advised that the tractor trailer operator was observed leaving the scene on an electric scooter, crossed the three travel lanes of the highway, and was last seen driving the electric scooter southbound in the right shoulder.
Upon locating the tractor trailer operator, the Trooper activated their emergency lights and siren and the operator of the scooter complied and came to a stop in the right shoulder. Once stopped, the Trooper positively identified the male operator as James Wesley Aldridge, DOB 04/21/1989, of Washington, D.C..
During their interactions, Aldridge became hostile and uncooperative toward the Trooper, throwing his scooter to the ground and advancing toward the Trooper in an aggressive manner. The Trooper issued multiple directives for Aldridge to sit down, but Aldridge ignored the Troopers instructions.
In response, the Trooper prepared to deploy their State Police canine partner, K-9 Gatti, for possible apprehension. Aldridge again failed to comply with verbal directives, retrieved his scooter and began to drive away. At this time, the Trooper released K-9 Gatti to apprehend Aldridge, however Aldridge accelerated at such a high rate of speed that K-9 Gatti was unable to catch up.
The Trooper and K9 returned to their cruiser and attempted to locate Aldridge. Utilizing DOT highway cameras in the area, Troop G dispatch personnel observed Aldridge exiting the highway at the Exit 17 off-ramp. Two additional responding Troopers posted at the end of the Exit 17 off-ramp and intercepted Aldridge shortly thereafter.
Aldridge began to actively fight with Troopers and physically resisted Troopers’ efforts to secure him in handcuffs. The initial responding Trooper arrived on scene and observed Aldridge actively fighting the other Troopers.
The Trooper again issued multiple verbal directives to Aldridge, who did not comply. In response, the Trooper deployed K-9 Gatti to conduct a controlled apprehension, resulting in Aldridge sustaining a bite to his right thigh.
Aldridge then attempted to assault and choke K9 Gatti, but was unsuccessful as Troopers quickly freed K-9 Gatti from Aldridge’s hold.
With the assistance of Westport Officers, Troopers were able to gain control of Aldridge. After being secured in handcuffs, EMS was requested. Aldridge continued to display aggressive and combative behavior, to include spitting at investigators, and was subsequently transported to an area hospital for evaluation.
Troopers at the scene reported minor injuries as a result of their efforts to secure Aldridge; K-9 Gatti did not sustain injuries.
During the course of the investigation, it was learned that Aldridge was the subject of an active extraditable arrest warrant, held by the Grain Valley Police Department in Grain Valley, Missouri, in connection with a felony charge of Harassment in the First Degree. Additionally, it was learned that the active arrest warrant was approved for nationwide extradition.
Based upon this information detailed above, Aldridge was taken into state police custody.
After being evaluated and released from the hospital, Aldridge was transported to the Bridgeport Correctional Center, where he was processed and charged with the following violations, under two separate incidents:
C.G.S. 54-170 – Fugitive from Justice Without a Warrant
For the above charge, Aldridge was held on a $250,000 bond and scheduled for arraignment at Stamford Superior Court, on 08/29/2024.
State Police additionally charged Aldridge with the following violations:
C.G.S. 53a-167c – Assault on a Public Safety Officer (six counts)
C.G.S. 53-247 – Cruelty to Animals (two counts)
C.G.S. 53a-167a – Interfering with an Officer
C.G.S. 53-182 – Reckless Use of a Highway by a Pedestrian
C.G.S. 14-251 – Improper Parking
C.G.S. 14-12(a)* – Operating/Parking an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
Aldridge was held on a $100,000 bond in connection with these charges and is scheduled for arraignment at Stamford Superior Court, on 08/29/2024.
Elicit Brewing Co., 111 Black Rock Tpke., Fairfield
BEER – FOOD – RAFFLES
Throughout the month of October $1 from select beer sales
will benefit the Fairfield Fire Fighter’s Charitbale Foundation
Families Encouraged
There will be non-competitive cornhole and other games for the children. Elicit will be playing DISNEY movies begginning at 1 pm in their Speakeasy area for children and families to enjoy at no additional cost. Spectators are welcome to join for free and an area for donations will be made available.
PROCEEDS TO DIRECTLY BENEFIT THE DeNITTO and FIRLA FAMILIES
Jeff DeNitto is a 25 year member of the Fairfield Fire Department. His 31 year old daughter, Alexa is fighting cancer as a single mother of a 3 year old. The FFFCF is proud to support our brother and his family as they begin their journey. Funds will help to cover medical costs, meals, travel, and child care.
Tim Firla is an 18 year member of the Fairfield Fire Department. His wife Marissa, is currently undergoing treatments for stage 4 colon cancer, which has spread to her liver. The couple has two children. Marissa has been fighting since Labor Day 2023. She has undergone 5 surgeries and spent a month in the hospital recovering. She has completed 12 of the necessary 16 chemo treatments. Funds will help to cover medical expenses, meals, travel and other unforeseen expenses.
