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ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SEEKS LEGISLATION TO COMBAT SHRINKFLATION, PRICE GOUGING

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today urged lawmakers to back legislation proposed by the Office of the Attorney General to combat “shrinkflation” and price gouging contributing to unaffordable grocery bills for Connecticut families. “Grocery prices are unaffordable and only getting more expensive. We need strong laws to go after the manufacturers and packagers who are taking advantage of this crisis to pad their profits,” said Attorney General Tong. Click here for Attorney General Tong’s testimony on both proposals. SHRINKFLATION The term “shrinkflation” refers to packaging tricks deployed by manufacturers to try to hide the fact they are reducing packaging sizes to raise prices. For example, a manufacturer who reduces the volume of peanut butter in a jar by adding a dimple…

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Standoff on Sable Street Leads to Domestic Violence Arrest

A day-long standoff on Sable Street ended safely after Norwalk Police took 34-year-old Deval Pendergrast into custody on the evening of February 10, 2025. The situation began that morning at 9:19 AM when Norwalk Combined Dispatch received a complaint of a disturbance on Sable Street. Officers responded and spoke with a female victim who reported that Pendergrast had assaulted her, throwing her down a flight of stairs and striking her in the head with a dumbbell. The victim was able to escape the home and was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. After the assault, Pendergrast barricaded himself inside the residence and refused to exit. The Emergency Services Unit responded, and Crisis Negotiators attempted to encourage a peaceful surrender…

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Norwalk Middle School Employee Arrested for Assaulting Student

Norwalk Police arrested Michael Morris, a 30-year-old employee of Nathan Hale Middle School, for allegedly pushing a student. The arrest followed an investigation by the Special Victims Unit, which included multiple interviews and video analysis. On December 5, 2024, the Norwalk Police Department received a complaint regarding the incident. Detective Tim Marquis led the investigation, gathering evidence that provided probable cause for an arrest. Based on his findings, an arrest warrant was issued by the Stamford Superior Court. Morris turned himself in to police on February 7, 2025. He has been charged with third-degree assault, risk of injury to a minor, and disorderly conduct. His bond was set at $750,000, and he is scheduled to appear in court on February…

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ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SUES PRESIDENT TRUMP AND SECRETARY OF TREASURY TO BLOCK DOGE ACCESS TO CONFIDENTIAL RECORDS, SENSITIVE DATA AND CRITICAL PAYMENT SYSTEMS

(Hartford, CT) -- Attorney General William Tong today joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general suing President Donald Trump, the U.S. Treasury and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to stop the unauthorized disclosure of Americans’ private information and sensitive data. The lawsuit asserts that the Trump administration illegally provided Elon Musk and the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)” unauthorized access to the Treasury Department’s central payment system, and therefore to Americans’ most sensitive personal information, including bank account details and Social Security numbers. This expanded access could allow Musk and his team to block federal funds to states and programs providing health care, childcare, and other critical services. With this lawsuit, the coalition of attorneys general is seeking to stop…

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VIOLENT FUGITIVE WANTED FOR 2009 MURDER IN BRIDGEPORT CONNECTICUT LOCATED IN SPAIN AND EXTRADITED BACK TO THE UNITED STATES

WANDERSON MARQUES – WANTED FOR THE AUGUST 2, 2009, MURDER OF HAROLD GANTT – OUTSTANDING EXTRADITABLE MURDER WARRANT OUT OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT On August 2, 2009, Bridgeport Police responded to reports of shots fired at an apartment complex located within the 200 block of Madison Avenue. When police arrived, they found the victim, Harold Gantt, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. Harold Gantt was 49 years old at the time of his death. The Bridgeport Police Detective Bureau responded and took charge of the investigation. The investigation suggests there was an ongoing verbal disagreement between Wanderson Marques and Harold Gantt. On the date of the incident, both parties resided in the same complex…

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BLUMENTHAL & SALINAS REINTRODUCE BILL TO ADDRESS GAMBLING ADDICTION

 Today, Blumenthal stood with CT Council of Problem Gambling to highlight the surge in sports betting ahead of Super Bowl [HARTFORD, CT] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) introduced the Gambling addiction Recovery, Investment, and Treatment (GRIT) Act, bicameral legislation that would dedicate federal funds to studying, preventing, and treating gambling addiction in America. Blumenthal and Salinas first introduced the GRIT Act in the 118th Congress. “The growing legalization of sports betting coupled with the ability to place bets from your phone whenever you want have created the perfect storm for gambling addiction—resulting in a severe public health crisis. The GRIT Act will allocate dedicated federal funding to tackle problem gambling head-on, allowing individuals suffering from gambling addiction to…

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Norwalk Man Arrested for Trespassing and Inappropriately Approaching Child

Norwalk Man Arrested for Criminal Trespass, Breach of Peace Norwalk Police arrested 29-year-old Richard Fagan after he allegedly entered private property on Woodward Ave and approached a child, offering them candy and asking if they wanted to listen to music. When the child declined and went inside, Fagan reportedly remained on the property watching them. Officers located Fagan nearby and took him into custody, charging him with Criminal Trespass in the 3rd Degree and Breach of Peace in the 2nd Degree. He was held on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on February 20th. Anyone with additional information can contact the Norwalk Police Tip Line at 203-854-3111.

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Norwalk Man Arrested on Gun Charges After Fleeing from Traffic Stop

On February 5, 2025, at 6:41 PM, Norwalk Patrol Officers arrested 20-year-old Niza Clarke on gun charges following a motor vehicle stop. The stop occurred on North Water Street after the officer observed a moving violation. During the stop, Clarke, a passenger in the vehicle, attempted to flee but was apprehended by officers. Clarke was found to be in possession of a firearm, which was seized by officers. Clarke is a supervised party on parole and is registered on the Deadly Weapon Offenders Registry. Clarke was charged with illegal manufacture of a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm/ammunition/defense weapon, carrying a pistol without a permit, interfering with an officer, and failure to wear a seatbelt. He was held on a…

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POLICE RESPONSE TO HERITAGE SQUARE FIRE

FAIRFIELD, CT — On December 7, 2024, at approximately 4:27 PM, the Fairfield Police Department and Fairfield Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire at 1700 Post Road, Heritage Square Plaza. Upon arrival, first responders observed significant flames and worked diligently to contain and extinguish the fire. Fairfield Fire Department crews successfully evacuated the building and brought the flames under control, preventing further damage to surrounding properties and ensuring the safety of everyone in the area. Following a joint investigation by the Fairfield Police Department and Fairfield Fire Department, it was determined that the fire originated from the actions of two individuals who were intentionally attempting to ignite dry leaves within the building's stairwell. The leaves and…

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ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE THREAT TO DEFUND POLICE

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong released the following statement regarding the directive issued by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to “pause the distribution of all funds” to jurisdictions who do not let the federal government unlawfully commandeer local law enforcement resources for federal immigration enforcement. “This is yet another attempt by the Trump administration to defund police and distract local law enforcement from serious public safety threats, including gun violence, reckless driving, domestic violence and the opioid epidemic. We are in federal court in Rhode Island and have already obtained a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration’s lawless funding freezes. We are reviewing this directive and watching for any impact to our states. We will not hesitate…

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