A medical incident may have allegedly caused a Nissan Rogue to miss the turn at Pond and Pitt Street. The car did not negotiate the curve, crashing into a fence and shed of a property in the 200 block of Pitt Street. The driver was transported to the hospital with unknown injuries.
2025-01-04@11:14am–#Bridgeport CT
The Mentes family, beloved members of both the Bridgeport and Fairfield communities, are facing unimaginable challenges following a devastating house fire that occurred in the early hours of December 28th. Known for their unwavering dedication to helping others, the Mentes family now finds themselves in need of the community’s support.
Mike Mentes, a dedicated Bridgeport firefighter with 17 years of service, was on duty at the time of the fire, protecting the very community he calls home. His wife, Jess, a nursing student, was at home and forced to jump out of a window to escape the flames, saving the family’s beloved dog and cat in the process. Thankfully, their three daughters, Morgan (16), Ireland (14), and Reagan (11), were away at a sleepover and unharmed.
The fire left the Mentes family’s home condemned and destroyed nearly all their belongings, from cherished wedding albums to the girls’ Christmas gifts. Despite their profound loss, Mike and Jess have expressed gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of support from friends, neighbors, and fellow first responders.
During a press conference held earlier today, officials and community leaders, including State Senator Tony Hwang, local fire chiefs, and members of the Fairfield and Bridgeport Fire Departments, highlighted the importance of community solidarity. Senator Hwang reflected, “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together and help a family who has always been there for others.”
Mike’s colleagues and local leaders emphasized the critical role that firefighters like him play in protecting our communities, often sacrificing their own safety. Chief Lance Edwards of the Bridgeport Fire Department remarked, “Mike has always been one of the good ones, a dedicated firefighter who now needs our help.”
The Mentes family’s gratitude was heartfelt. Jess urged the public to check their smoke detectors, emphasizing that their own preparedness saved her life. She also announced that part of the funds received will go toward smoke detector programs in Bridgeport and Fairfield to help prevent future tragedies.
How to Help
A GoFundMe page has been established to assist the Mentes family in rebuilding their lives. Additionally, donations can be made through the “Give In Kind” platform, which allows for contributions such as gift cards for essential items and services. Details can be found at the links below:
The Fairfield and Bridgeport communities have demonstrated extraordinary compassion and unity in the wake of this tragedy. As Jess Mentes aptly said, “It takes a village, and what we’ve seen here is that village coming together.”
Thank you for your support in helping the Mentes family rebuild their lives.
Two youths were struck by a motor vehicle near the intersection of Bell Street and Boston Ave in Bridgeport. They were transported to the hospital, and sustained non life threatening injuries.
Trumbull Police arrested a local teen after he robbed another teen at gunpoint and stole the victim’s dirt bike on Tuesday, December 31st. GIOVANNI DEJESUS, age 19, of Bridgeport was arrested for Armed Robbery and other related crimes. Around 5:00 p.m., Trumbull officers were dispatched to the area of the “Rails to Trails” between White Plains Road and Quarry Road, for a robbery at gunpoint. Arriving officers met with the fourteen (14) year-old victim who stated that he was riding his dirt bike on the “Rails to Trails” near the pump station when another group on dirt bikes approached him. One of the men in that group, DeJesus, approached the victim and pointed a handgun at him while ordering him to get off the bike. DeJesus took the victim’s dirt bike and fled, traveling southerly into Bridgeport. This incident was broadcast to neighboring police departments, and Bridgeport Police officers spotted the fleeing suspect shortly thereafter. Bridgeport officers apprehended DeJesus on Palisade Avenue, where they also recovered a Glock handgun. DeJesus and the gun were both positively identified as being involved in the robbery. No injuries were reported. DeJesus is a convicted felon with a history of serious weapon-related offenses and is listed on the state’s Deadly Weapon Offender Registry. He had just been released from prison a few days prior to this incident.
The handgun that was recovered is a Glock model 19, 9 mm, that is fitted with a “switch” device on the slide, making the weapon fully automatic. In addition, the gun also had a thirty (30) round extended magazine, and dozens of rounds of 9 mm ammunition which were also recovered. Trumbull detectives are continuing the investigation to identify the origin of the weapon. The stolen dirt bike was later located in the basement of DeJesus’ Bridgeport residence and was returned to the owner. DeJesus was transported to the Trumbull Police Department where he was charged with Robbery 1st degree, Larceny 2nd degree, Illegal Possession of an Assault Weapon, Criminal Possession of a Pistol, Illegal Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine, Carrying a Pistol Without a Permit, and Criminal Possession of Ammunition. He was held on a $300,000. bond and is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on January 14th, 2025
Report of a pedestrian struck at Madison Avenue and Frank Street. The person was transported to the hospital. Police said the vehicle fled the scene. The victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
2025-01-01@5:54pm–#Bridgeport CT
Trumbull, CT — A Bridgeport teenager was arrested on December 31 after allegedly robbing a 14-year-old at gunpoint and stealing the victim’s dirt bike on Trumbull’s “Rails to Trails” path.
Police identified the suspect as Giovanni DeJesus, 19, of East Main Street, Bridgeport. Around 5:00 p.m., officers responded to the area near White Plains Road and Quarry Road, where the young victim reported being confronted by a group on dirt bikes. According to police, DeJesus pointed a handgun at the victim and demanded the dirt bike before fleeing toward Bridgeport.
Bridgeport officers quickly located DeJesus on Palisade Avenue, where he was apprehended. Police recovered a Glock 19 handgun modified to be fully automatic, along with a 30-round magazine and additional ammunition. The stolen dirt bike was later found in DeJesus’ residence and returned to the owner.
DeJesus, a convicted felon recently released from prison, is on the state’s Deadly Weapon Offender Registry. He now faces multiple charges, including first-degree robbery, illegal possession of an assault weapon, and carrying a pistol without a permit.
Held on a $300,000 bond, DeJesus is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on January 14, 2025. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Bridgeport Police are investigating a shooting at Central High School by the bleachers near Madison Avenue. No report on the person’s condition but it did not appear to be life threatening.
2024-12-31@6:35pm
Be careful with driving on the holidays! A 3 car crash just happened on Route 8 Northbound on the Exit 2A onramp, just off the heals of an Exit 2 single car crash. We’re now getting a report of a Fed Ex truck on fire by Exit 1D. So that’s Exit 2A, 2, and 1D that all have issues at the moment.
Bridgeport Police are investigating a crash on Madison Avenue involving a pedestrian (near North Av). The pedestrian was transported to the hospital with unknown injuries. Witnesses told me it allegedly involved the red pick-up truck.
On December 27th, around 11:20 a.m., an altercation occurred at a gas station in the 900 Block of Park Avenue involving three parties, including Curtis Dwayne Gibbs. During the incident, a firearm was discharged, though no injuries were reported.
Later that day, at approximately 2:45 p.m., Bridgeport Police stopped a motor vehicle near Norman Street and State Street. Curtis Dwayne Gibbs, a passenger in the vehicle, refused to exit and ignored verbal commands from officers, leading to a vehicle pursuit through the City of Bridgeport. The chase caused a motor vehicle accident and continued onto I-95 north. With assistance from Milford Police and the Connecticut State Police, the vehicle was eventually stopped at Exit 41.
Curtis Dwayne Gibbs was arrested and charged with interfering with officers, first-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving, engaging police in a pursuit, and assault on an officer. His bond was set at $60,000.
This remains an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
