Category: Local News

6:06pm–#Fairfield CT #Westport CT #cttraffic–Report of a one car crash I-95 southbound between exits 19 and 18.

Governor Dannel P. Malloy  joined military veterans, local business leaders and state officials to promote theConnecticut Veterans’ ID program, a joint initiative between the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) that gives veterans an option to place an American flag symbol on a state-issued license or identity card to designate his or her veteran’s status.  The insignia is designed to help businesses and service providers establish eligibility for various discounts, programs, and services available to veterans.

“We created this program to improve the delivery of services and benefits to the brave men and women who have selflessly served our nation.  We want to ensure that the verification of their veterans’ status is as simple as a check of their driver’s license,” said Governor Malloy.  “Although this program has been in effect for over a year now – and uses the same process to verify a veteran’s status as would be required if he or she applied for a federal veterans’ ID card – some businesses in Connecticut have been slow to embrace this initiative.  We are here today because we want that to change and raise awareness of this program so our veterans receive the recognition and considerations they deserve.”

In 2011, Governor Malloy signed legislation that requires the DMV commissioner to include a person’s status as a veteran, if applicable, on his or her state driver’s license or identity card.  The person must submit a request to have this status included to the DVA, which then must verify the status no later than 30 days after receiving the request.  Once DVA verifies that the requestor is a veteran through a DD Form 214 Discharge Papers and Separation Documents, DVA will electronically notify the DMV commissioner of the person’s request and its verification prior to the driver’s license or ID card being issued.

“So many of our veterans face enormous economic challenges when it comes to readjusting to civilian life, and this is a small but important part of our effort to make that transition as easy as possible,” said Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman.  “I commend the businesses that are now honoring this program and urge all others to please consider doing so as a tribute to the sacrifices that these men and women made for our state and our nation.”

“We’re proud to be able to offer veterans this convenient option to prove their status,” said DMV Commissioner Melody A. Currey.  “In doing so, there’s no need for veterans to carry important military documents like a DD-214 and risk losing them.”

“Connecticut was one of the first states in the union to adopt veterans’ identification on a driver’s license.  This form of identification has been accepted by businesses and agencies across the nation with great success,” said DVA Commissioner Linda Schwartz.  “The process that we have adopted for the State of Connecticut authenticates every veteran’s status in accordance with federal law for each applicant.”

Last January, DMV and AAA offices began issuing driver’s licenses and ID cards that included the symbol of an American flag to identify veteran status.  Businesses that offer discounts and other services for veterans should rely on the flag symbol on drivers’ licenses and ID cards as sufficient identification for veteran status.  The program also extends a free lifetime pass for state parks, forests, and recreational facilities to any resident who is a disabled wartime veteran, as defined under state or federal law.

“It should be universally recognized throughout the state that someone is a veteran and it alone should bring the recognition and be the proof for any discounts businesses offer to all veterans because they served their country and put their lives on the line,” said George Hapkiewicz, a Navy veteran from East Hartford.

Sam Zureiqi, a franchise owner for Denny’s restaurants in West Haven, Danbury and Middletown, said it is important that all businesses recognize this flag and all veterans because of their service.

In order to obtain a veterans’ ID, veterans must submit to the state Department of Veterans’ Affairs a completed application and proof of honorable discharge, such as a DD-214, at least 30 days prior to visiting a DMV or AAA office.  The application can be downloaded online by clicking the “Application for Veteran’s Flag” link on the DVA’s website at www.ct.gov/ctva.  The flag symbol will be added to veteran’s license or ID card at no additional cost at renewal time or when it is first issued.  Veterans can also request a flag symbol by mailing an application and additional documentation to the state Department of Veterans’ Affairs at:

CT Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Attn: Veteran’s Flag on Driver License or ID Card

287 West Street

Rocky Hill, CT 06067

For more information on DMV services and office locations, please visit www.ct.gov/dmv.

(Bridgeport, CT – Jan. 17, 2014) – A 19-year-old faces first-degree robbery charges after an armed robbery on Maplewood Avenue Thursday evening.

Officer Anthony Gianpoalo responded to an armed robbery in the 900 block at 7:30 p.m. The victim, a 21-year-old male, stated that he and a female friend walked to a corner store for some food and other items and then walked back to the female friend’s apartment building. They were accosted by two armed people on the second –floor landing. The man had his wallet and phone stolen. The female also apparently had her phone taken.

Gianpoalo and Officers Adam Roscoe and Douglas Bepko interviewed the two victims and other people who might have information about the crime. With help from the community, police later determined a possible identity of one of the suspects.

After a radio broadcast, Officer Jeremy Kelly observed the suspect, Torey Lewis, of Bridgeport, walking with a female. Lewis was identified as one of the robbers and charged with first-degree larceny. His bond is set at $75,000.

The investigation remains ongoing.

(Bridgeport, CT – Jan. 17, 2014) – Police arrested three women Wednesday night in a sting operation at an illegal massage parlor.

Members of the police Tactical Narcotics Team conducted an undercover operation at the American Asian Modeling Studio at 3853 Main St.

The officers, dressed in civilian clothes, entered the location at about 10 p.m. and spoke to a woman through a barred door. They received a quoted price for both massage and sexual services, but were told to come back because the woman working that night was busy with another client.

The officers returned some time later and gained entry. Back up officers arrived and arrested three women.

Jo Hall Kum, 53, and Yongyul Kim, 75, were charged with promoting prostitution and for failing to have a state massage establishment license.

Chuyoung Jang, 46, was charged with prostitution and with state licensing violations.

Their bonds were set at $2,500 each.

Left to right: Kim, Kum, and Jang

On 1/16/2014, Anand Amin, age 24, of Catherine Street, Rocky Hill, CT. was arrested by Fairfield Police Detectives for Larceny in the First Degree by Extortion and Criminal Attempt to Commit Larceny in the First Degree. The arrest was the culmination of a 5 month investigation by Detectives Rilling and Caruso into a fake modeling agency scheme devised by Amin.

As part of the scheme, Amin would pose online as a female talent scout for the fictitious “Gucci Top Modeling” company. Applicants were promised large sums of money for modeling work, however, as part of the application process, they were required to submit their biographical information, pay a fee and submit nude and/or semi nude photos of themselves. Numerous applicants who did so were then coerced into paying additional sums of money, and/or perform sexual acts with Amin to prevent the public release of the photos. His taunts included threats to forward the photos/videos to friends, parents, university officials and law enforcement.

There was no legitimate modeling aspect to this scheme. Victims never received modeling work, nor was the money they deposited with Amin ever refunded.    

Detective Rilling first learned of the scheme when he was contacted by a victim, a former Sacred Heart University student. The initial information ultimately lead to the execution of search warrants at Amin’s Rocky Hill home which not only corroborated the victim’s account, but lead to the identification of additional victims.  

Amin was held in lieu of $100,000 bond and is due to appear in court on 1/30/14.

Victims of the scheme who have not already been contacted by detectives are encouraged to contact the Detective Bureau at 203-254-4840.

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