The ongoing wildfires in Massachusetts are impacting air quality across the region, with smoke traveling south and affecting areas in Connecticut. Residents may notice a smoky smell in the air, which could pose health concerns for those sensitive to air quality, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD. Officials recommend minimizing outdoor activities, especially strenuous ones, and staying indoors with windows closed to reduce exposure. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as conditions evolve. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through local news and health advisories.
On the evening of November 17, 2024, Officers Montero and Harry pulled over a black Acura TL near Ocean Terrace and Wordin Avenue after the driver failed to use a turn signal. The driver, Gregory Jimenez, appeared extremely nervous, was uncooperative, and repeatedly tried to rush the officers during the stop.
During the investigation, officers conducted a pat-down for weapons and took Jimenez into custody for narcotics violations. While performing an inventory of the vehicle before towing, officers found a bundle of white powder (54.9 grams), which tested positive for cocaine, using a field test. They also recovered a fully loaded Glock 30 handgun with a round in the chamber, an additional loaded magazine, a digital scale, and clear baggies typically used for packaging narcotics. Officers seized these items along with $1,542 in cash believed to be proceeds from drug sales.
Gregory Jimenez was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, improper storage of a pistol, and possession with intent to sell narcotics. His bond was set at $150,000.
On November 12, 2024, Edward Rumley, age 32, of Waterbury was taken into custody on an arrest warrant for his involvement in the August 31, 2024 shots fired investigation in Ansonia. Rumley was charged with Criminal Attempt at Assault First Degree, Reckless Endangerment First Degree, Unlawful Discharge, Criminal Possession of Firearm, and Carrying a Pistol without a Permit. Rumley was held on a $250,000.00 bond, he was arraigned in court on November 13, 2024 and turned over to the custody of the Department of Corrections. Rumley’s next court appearance is November 21, 2024. At least one more arrest will be made in this case, the suspect is currently in custody with the Department of Corrections on unrelated charges and will be arrested on a later date. All arrestees are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, an arrest is not proof of or an admission of guilt.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the police department at 203-735-1885 or anonymous tips can be left at Tip411 at the link below.
Report of a motor vehicle accident on the Merritt Parkway by Exit 40. The Northbound side is currently shut down. Initial report is that one of the cars is on fire. One party does seem to be ejected from the vehicle according to unconfirmed radio reports. You could get this report as a notification on your phone if you had the Doing It Local app to make sure you’re aware of traffic issues as soon as they happen!
In early September 2024, the Bridgeport Police Department’s (BPD) Special Victim’s Unit (SVU) received information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation – New Haven regarding Possession of Child Pornography (CSAM) Child Sexual Abuse Material. As a result of that communication, BPD SVU Detective Davon Polite opened a case, here at the local level, in Bridgeport, CT.
In early October Detective Polite received additional information from the Connecticut State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) where he received multiple Cyber Tipline reports of numerous uploaded files related to child pornography. Federal Statute 42 USC 13032 mandates that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must register with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and then report any occurrences of child pornography on their systems back to (NCMEC). The reports were generated from an unnamed company that owns a freeware instant messaging mobile app. The company believed child pornography was being saved, shared, or uploaded by one of their users and then contacted NCMEC.
The suspect in the case has been identified as 37-year-old Jose Luis Albino (also known as Jose Albino-Santiago) out of Bridgeport CT.
As a result of the investigation, SVU Detective Polite obtained arrest warrants for Jose Albino-Santiago of Bridgeport Connecticut charging him with Possession of Child Pornography (2 counts), Risk of Injury to a Child, and Enticing a Minor. Total bond was $550,000. A search warrant was obtained for his residence as well.
On November 14, 2024, The U.S Marshal’s Violent Fugitive Task Force took Jose Albino-Santiago into custody. The search warrant was executed immediately thereafter with the assistance of the BPD Forensic Identification Unit, Homeland Security Investigations, the BPD Special Victim’s Unit, and the Connecticut State Police. Multiple items of evidence were recovered. Albino-Santiago was arraigned later that morning.
The Bridgeport Police Department would like to thank all the local, state, and federal agencies that took part in this investigation.
At around 4:35 a.m., the Bridgeport Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 555 Capitol Avenue. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered flames at the rear of the building. During the initial fire attack, a firefighter was struck by falling debris, prompting a mayday alert. The firefighter was evaluated at St. Vincent’s Medical Center and has since been cleared for full duty. Six adults affected by the fire are receiving assistance from the Red Cross, and the Fire Marshal’s Office is currently investigating the incident.
The Stratford Library will host a special opera and writing event featuring Italian opera singer and poet Stefano Russo on Sunday, November 24, at 2 p.m. Russo, who previously impressed audiences during “National Poetry Month,” will perform opera selections alongside acclaimed pianist Jacob Wang, while friend Joe Naylor reads and discusses excerpts from Russo’s memoir, The Prisoner. The program is free and open to the public.
Born in Rome, Italy, Stefano Russo is an Italian American artist who moved to the U.S. in 2011. His career began with opera singing but evolved into a passion for writing, particularly poetry. He has published several collections, including Life, a Labyrinth of Thoughts and Beyond the Chains of the Mind, and released his memoir, The Prisoner, in 2024. Autographed copies of The Prisoner will be available for purchase after the performance. For more information, call the library at 203.385.4162 or visit www.stratfordlibrary.org.
Report of a structure fire on Evelyn Street in Stratford. Firefighters quickly knocked down the flames on the second story and are currently searching for hot spots.
Bridgeport Firefighters quickly extinguished a basement fire in the 700 block of Wood Avenue. Everyone made it out safely and there were no reported injuries according to unconfirmed radio reports. The fire marshal is on scene investigating the cause of the fire.
On September 5th, 2024, the Bridgeport Police Department (BPD) received a complaint from a teenage female victim who reported being sexually assaulted by a suspect on the east side of Bridgeport. The BPD’s Special Victim’s Unit (SVU) took charge of the investigation and quickly identified the suspect.
SVU Detective Brian Coyne obtained an arrest warrant for 20-year-old Aki Johnson of Bridgeport CT charging him with Risk of Injury to a child, Strangulation in the 2nd Degree, and Sexual Assault in the 3rd Degree.
The bond was set at $75,000. On November 14, 2024, the US Marshal’s Violent Fugitive Task Force took Johnson into custody at his home in Bridgeport.
