Category: Norwalk

On September 17, 2025, Norwalk Police Special Services executed a search-and-seizure warrant at A and Z Tobacco & Vape Shop, 108 Connecticut Avenue, as part of an ongoing investigation into smoke shops suspected of selling cannabis without a state license. It was the fifth warrant at this location—and the first under the A and Z name—and investigators say they found a concealed trap built into store shelving holding 15.8 pounds of nitrous oxide “flavored gas,” 2.32 pounds of marijuana in pre-rolls and containers, 1.08 pounds of THC vape products, and 1.22 pounds of cannabis gummies. Police highlighted that Connecticut law prohibits selling products with THC above 0.3% without a state-issued license and noted FDA warnings that inhaling nitrous oxide from canisters can pose serious health risks, including death. A 16-year-old employee received a juvenile summons for violation of restricted substances, possession with intent to sell over 1 kilogram of cannabis, possession of paraphernalia, and sale of 1 kilogram or more of cannabis; the case remains under investigation.

Firefighters responded this afternoon to Garavel Subaru on Main Avenue in Norwalk after a reported solar panel fire broke out on the roof. Crews quickly arrived on scene around 3:03 p.m. to address the incident and ensure the flames did not spread further into the dealership building.

The blaze was confined to rooftop solar panels, and no injuries have been reported at this time. Firefighters remained on scene to secure the area and investigate the cause of the fire.

2025-09-19@3:03pm #Norwalk CT #ctfire

On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at approximately 4:23 p.m., Norwalk Combined Dispatch received a 911 call reporting that a male had displayed a handgun and threatened to shoot the caller on Westport Avenue. Responding officers located an individual matching the suspect description; as they approached, the suspect—later identified as Isaiah Mitchell, 21—was seen removing a handgun from his waistband and passing it into the passenger side of a nearby vehicle. Officers detained Mitchell and two individuals in the vehicle without incident and secured the firearm. The on-scene investigation determined Mitchell had also entered the T-Mobile store during the incident and caused a disturbance prior to threatening the original caller. The recovered handgun had a defaced serial number and was loaded with 11 .40-caliber rounds in the magazine. Mitchell was arrested at the scene without incident. He is charged with carrying a pistol without a permit; first-degree threatening; possession of a large-capacity magazine; alteration of a firearm serial number; carrying a firearm while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs; and second-degree breach of peace. Bond was set at $500,000, with a court date of October 6, 2025.

On July 1, 2024, Norwalk Combined Dispatch received a report of a commercial burglary at CubeSmart, 162 Bouton Street. Detectives responded, and Detective Barron assumed the investigation.

The investigation determined that 89 storage units had been entered and numerous items were stolen, including firearms. Over the next year, Detective Barron obtained multiple search and seizure warrants, analyzed hours of video, and worked with other law enforcement agencies to develop leads and identify suspects.

As a result, Detective Barron identified Tylon Gardner as a suspect. In July 2025, Stamford Superior Court issued an arrest warrant for Gardner, and on September 10, 2025, Detective Barron executed the warrant and arrested Gardner at Stamford Superior Court.

Gardner is charged with five counts of third-degree burglary; five counts of conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary; first-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny; third-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny; two counts of theft of a firearm; and two counts of conspiracy to commit theft of a firearm. His bond was set at $50,000, and his next court date is September 24, 2025.

NORWALK, Conn. — On Wednesday, September 9, 2025, at approximately 11:34 p.m., Norwalk Police Combined Dispatch was notified by Norwalk Hospital that a 43-year-old female had arrived at the Emergency Department with gunshot wounds to her legs.

Initial witness accounts indicated the victim was struck by gunfire while walking on Coldspring Street. A patrol response and area search found no evidence supporting that report. Subsequent investigation determined the victim was shot at a residence on Coldspring Street by her friend’s step-father, Hugo Arturo Avilia-Garcia, 53, of Norwalk. Avilia-Garcia then transported the victim to Norwalk Hospital. He was taken into custody without incident.

Members of the Norwalk Police Department Detective Bureau executed a court-authorized search warrant at the residence. Detectives recovered a shell casing; a firearm was not located. This remains an active investigation.

Arrest Information

• Arrestee: Hugo Arturo Avilia-Garcia, 53, Norwalk, CT
• Charges: Assault in the First Degree; Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree; Risk of Injury to a Child
• Bond: $500,000
• Court Date: September 24, 2025

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Norwalk Police Department Detective Bureau.

Norwalk Police have arrested Carla Sanchez, 26, of Norwalk in connection with a July 12th incident in which her one-year-old child was found unresponsive in a backyard kiddie pool. Officer Vazquez responded to the Vollmer Avenue home, performed life-saving measures that revived the child, and the infant was later treated at Norwalk Hospital and fully recovered. Following an investigation by Norwalk Police Special Victims Unit and the Department of Children and Families, Sanchez turned herself in on August 26th and was charged with two counts of Risk of Injury to a Minor. She was held on $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on September 9, 2025.

Norwalk Police arrested Bryan Andrade-Espinoza, 22, of Norwalk after a disturbance on Wall Street on August 18, 2025. Police say Andrade-Espinoza had been drinking at El Mexicano before getting into an argument with the victim, during which he threatened them and later brandished a firearm on Main Street. The victim was able to disarm him and toss the weapon onto a nearby roof, where officers recovered it—later determining it was an unregistered “ghost gun.” Andrade-Espinoza, who does not have a pistol permit, was taken into custody without further incident. He was charged with Illegal Carry of a Firearm While Under the Influence, Breach of Peace 2nd, Threatening 2nd with Physical Threat, Carrying a Pistol Without a Permit, and Illegal Possession of a Firearm with No Serial Number. His bond was set at $100,000.

Norwalk Police arrested Christopher Jon Telesco, 49, of Norwalk after a rollover crash on East Avenue on August 18, 2025. Officers determined he was operating under the influence, and a search uncovered narcotics, controlled substances, cash, and drug paraphernalia. Telesco was charged with Possession with Intent to Sell Narcotics, Use of Drug Paraphernalia, Failure to Drive in Proper Lane, Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence, and Possession of a Controlled Substance (Second Offense). His bond was set at $100,000 with a court date of September 3, 2025.

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Over several months, Norwalk Police Department’s Special Services Division investigated illegal narcotics sales in Norwalk and greater Fairfield County, identifying three individuals involved in large-scale drug possession and distribution. Arrest operations took place between July 30 and August 1, 2025.

On July 30, 2025, Kevin Daniel Reese, 33, was arrested and charged with four counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, four counts of Sale of Narcotics, three counts of Operating a Motor Vehicle Under Suspension, two counts of Conspiracy to Sell a Narcotic Substance, and one count of Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Substance. At the time of arrest, he faced additional charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession with Intent to Sell Narcotics. Reese was held on a $600,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on August 14, 2025.

Also on July 30, 2025, Jason Sampson, 36, was arrested and charged with one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance and two counts of Sale of Narcotics. Sampson’s bond was set at $200,000, with a court date of August 14, 2025.

On August 1, 2025, Jaequann Gilbert, 33, was arrested with assistance from Stamford Police’s NOC Unit. Gilbert faces four counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, four counts of Sale of Narcotics, four counts of Operating a Motor Vehicle Under Suspension, and one count of Conspiracy to Sell a Narcotic Substance. His bond was set at $450,000, and he is scheduled to appear in court on August 15, 2025.

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On August 1, 2025, Norwalk Police Special Services executed a search and seizure warrant at Smokey Bear Smoke Shop on North Main Street as part of an investigation into unlicensed cannabis sales. Officers seized THC gummies, marijuana cigarettes, bags of marijuana, and nitrous oxide canisters. Cielo Davila, 24, of Stamford, was arrested and charged with violating restricted substances laws, sale of less than one kilo of marijuana, and possession of paraphernalia. Davila was released on a $1,000 bond and is due in court on August 15, 2025.