Category: Bridgeport

Bridgeport, CT –Mayor Ganim announced that the City of Bridgeport received $24.6 million for the replacement of the Congress Street Bridge, located in the downtown area of the City. Funding for this project was received by the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant, with the selection process made possible by Congressman Jim Himes, Senator Richard Blumenthal, and Senator Chris Murphy.

“I want to thank Congressman Jim Himes, Senator Chris Murphy, and Senator Richard Blumenthal for their steadfast advocacy to secure final funding for this project,” stated Mayor Ganim. “After thirty years, the Congress Street Bridge will finally reconnect the bustling East Side and Downtown neighborhoods and will increase public safety response times. The City of Bridgeport is prepared to get to work and ensure this project is completed expeditiously.”

The RAISE program allows project sponsors, including state and local governments, to pursue multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional projects that are more difficult to fund through other grant programs. RAISE grants are awarded to eligible surface transportation projects that will have a significant local or regional impact. The total federal funding for the Congress Street Bridge replacement is now brought to $26.9 million with the RAISE grant included in that total.

Report of a motor vehicle accident on Route 8 Southbound by exit 1D.

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Attorney General William Tong announced a $1.5 million settlement with Carvana, an online used car dealer, after receiving hundreds of complaints from Connecticut consumers. The issues included extended delays in receiving title and registration documents, late payments to sellers, and misrepresentations about vehicle conditions.

As part of the settlement, Carvana will establish a $1 million consumer restitution fund and pay a $500,000 penalty to the state. Half of this penalty will be suspended if Carvana complies with all settlement terms. The company is now required to adhere to Connecticut laws, ensuring valid title and registration documents are provided at the time of sale. Additionally, Carvana must improve its customer service systems and designate a direct contact to resolve Connecticut complaints.

Consumers who purchased vehicles from Carvana after January 1, 2019, and faced delays or financial losses due to title, registration, or loan payoff issues may be eligible for restitution. Claims can be submitted via email to connecticutrestitution@carvana.com. The settlement, which is subject to court approval, also addresses complaints about inaccurate vehicle descriptions and unresponsive customer service.

Attorney General Tong emphasized the significance of the settlement in holding Carvana accountable and protecting consumers. Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli and Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Tony Guerrera echoed the importance of ensuring businesses meet their obligations to customers, particularly for significant purchases like vehicles.

The investigation, launched in January 2022, revealed that Carvana’s rapid growth during the pandemic exacerbated delays in titling and registration. Many consumers reported waiting months to receive their documents, while others dealt with repeated out-of-state temporary registrations or risked driving unregistered vehicles. Additional complaints highlighted delays in payments for vehicles sold to Carvana and discrepancies between advertised and actual vehicle conditions.

The settlement reflects a step forward in addressing these issues and ensuring compliance with state laws moving forward.

On December 9th, 2024, Bridgeport Police officers responded to the East Side of Bridgeport on reports of a child being sexually assault by a known party.  That victim is under 10 years of age.   The BPD’s Special Victim’s Unit (SVU) took charge of the investigation and quickly confirmed the identity of the suspect.  As a result of this investigation, Special Victim’s Unit Detective Brian Coyne obtained an arrest warrant for 65-year-old Matthew Moales of Bridgeport CT charging him with Risk of Injury to a Child (4 counts), Sexual Assault in the 1^st Degree (4 counts), and Illegal Sexual Contact – victim under 13 (4 counts). Bond was set at $750,000. 

On January 10, 2025, the US Marshal’s Violent Fugitive Task Force, and the Bridgeport Police Department’s SVU took Matthew Moales into custody outside his home on the West Side of Bridgeport.  He was arraigned at Bridgeport Superior Court this morning.

Anyone with additional information regarding this crime should contact the case officer, Detective Brian Coyne, at 203 581-5223.  Citizens can also utilize the BPD tips line at 203 576-TIPS.

Today’s vehicle fire is a truck on South Avenue near I-95.

2025-01-10@10:15pm–#Bridgeport CT

3 people were injured in a crash between a car and a city bus at Hollister and Stratford Avenue according to unconfirmed radio reports

2025-01-10@10:10pm–#Bridgeport CT

Report of a structure fire on Melbourne Street in Bridgeport. Firefighters arrived on scene and quickly put out the fire that extended up the side of the house.

A viewer sent in this photo from the 1000 block of East Main Street saying “A female got stabbed by her son at 1080 E. Main Street. She was transported to the hospital by ambulance” This report has not been confirmed as police have just begun their investigation.

2025-01-09@6:47pm– #Bridgeport CT

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Police UPDATE: On January 9, 2025, at approximately 5:05 pm Bridgeport Police responded to report(s) of a party shot within the 100 block of Hewitt Street.

Upon arrival, officers located a male victim at the front of a residence on Hewitt Street suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the torso.  Medics arrived and transported the victim to an area hospital where he passed away a short time later.

Patrol Officers secured the crime scene and notified the Detective Bureau (DB).  The DB Homicide Squad is responding along with the Forensic Identification Unit.

The Detective Bureau is currently in the process of canvassing the area, identifying potential witnesses, and developing a suspect(s). The preliminary investigation suggests there was a dispute that began inside the residence.

Hewitt Street is closed between Connecticut Avenue and Hewitt Court.

No further information at this time.

Bridgeport Police said in a statement “At 5:04 pm Bridgeport ECC received calls of an aggravated assault with firearm in the 200 block of Hewitt St. The victim is being transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries to the chest, no further at this time”.

Report of an oil spill near the 100 block of George Street. A 55 gallon drum of oil has spilled out, and clean up is currently underway.