Derby firefighters quickly extinguished a garage or shed fire at the intersection of Hawthorne Avenue and Talmadge Street on Thursday evening. The fire did not spread to any nearby structures, and no injuries were reported.
Category: Valley
Shelton Man Charged in Dog Killing; Held on $100K Bond
On October 30, 2025, Shelton Police arrested Michael Anziano, 47, of Shelton, after a report from Shelton Animal Control included video evidence and an admission that he killed a dog. Detectives obtained additional video showing the deceased dog in a garbage bag, secured an arrest warrant, and Anziano turned himself in. He was charged with Malicious Killing of an Animal 1st Degree, held on $100,000 bond, and arraigned in Derby Superior Court on October 31, 2025.
Two Shelton Men Arrested on Arson and Burglary Charges
On 11/03/2025, Shelton Police arrested 25-year-old Joseph Lapinta of Shelton and charged him with Arson 1st Degree, Burglary 1st Degree, Larceny 6th Degree, and Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree. Lapinta posted a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Derby Superior Court on 11/24/2025.
On 11/04/2025, Shelton Police arrested 26-year-old Daniel Champagne of Shelton on the same charges. Champagne posted a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Derby Superior Court on 12/09/2025.
The arrests stem from an incident on 12/06/2024, when the Shelton Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Village Drive. The home had already suffered a separate accidental fire days earlier and was unoccupied. Firefighters and police encountered Champagne and Lapinta at the scene; the pair claimed they were driving by and noticed the fire.
The Shelton Police Detective Bureau, with assistance from the Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosion Investigative Unit and the Shelton Fire Marshal’s Office, investigated the blaze. Detectives discovered that multiple pieces of jewelry, personal information, women’s clothing, and undergarments were missing from the home. These items were later recovered during search warrants on both suspects’ vehicles. Additional interviews and warrants led to arrest warrants being issued for Lapinta and Champagne.
Shelton Neighbor Charged in Long Hill Ave Sexual Assault
On October 31, 2025, Shelton Police responded to a 911 hang-up on Long Hill Avenue near Sullivan Avenue. Officers arrived to find a woman who had run outside and reported that Sean Senerchia, 23, of Shelton, sexually assaulted her inside an apartment. Officers encountered Senerchia inside; he became confrontational and was taken into custody for interfering. Detectives learned the victim knew Senerchia and had been invited in; she stated he forced himself on her, that she fled outside during part of the incident, and that he brought her back into the apartment. Detectives documented evidence on scene and confirmed details with neighbors. Senerchia was charged with Sexual Assault 1st Degree, Strangulation 3rd Degree, Disorderly Conduct, and Interfering with an Officer. His bond was initially set at $100,000 and later raised to $250,000; unable to post, he was transported and presented in Derby Superior Court on November 3, 2025.
Fifth Arrest in Ansonia Street Takeover; Suspect Accused of Jumping on Police Cruiser
ANSONIA — On October 29, 2025, police arrested Joseph Yeager, 21, of Meriden, by warrant for his role in the April 26, 2025 street takeover. Investigators say Yeager is believed to be the person seen on video jumping onto the hood of a police cruiser during the incident; he is the fifth arrest in the case, and detectives continue working to identify additional participants.
Yeager was charged with Riot 1st Degree, Conspiracy to Riot 1st Degree, Breach of Peace 2nd Degree, and Racing. He was held on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Derby Superior Court on November 25, 2025. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ansonia Police Department at 203-735-1885 or submit an anonymous tip via Tip411 at the link provided. All arrestees are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Isac Saravia Charged in Pershing Drive Fatal Crash Investigation
On October 29, 2025 Isac Saravia, age 26, of Ansonia was arrested as part of the investigation into the September 24, 2025 fatal motor vehicle accident on Pershing Drive involving Adonis Lapuppet-Bligen. Saravia was charged with Reckless Endangerment First Degree and Reckless Driving. He posted a $75,000.00 bond and will appear at Derby Superior Court for arraignment on November 12, 2025.
During the course of the investigation detectives learned that Saravia was driving his own car following closely behind the car driven by Lapuppet-Bligen right before the accident where Lapuppet-Bligen died. With the assistance of the Fairfield Police Department Accident Reconstruction Unit it was determined that Saravia and Lapuppet-Bligen were travelling approximately 80 MPH just prior to the accident. The investigation was unable to establish probable cause that the cars were racing. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has concluded their investigation, Lapuppet-Bligen’s cause of death was blunt force trauma and manner of death was accident. A toxicology report showed that Lapuppet-Bligen had a blood alcohol content(BAC) at the time of the accident of .089, a BAC of .080 is considered intoxicated in Connecticut.
Chief Williams would like to thank the Connecticut State Police, Derby Police Department, Fairfield Police Department, Ansonia Fire Department, and Ansonia Public Works for their assistance in the investigation. He also commends the Ansonia Police Department’s Detective Bureau and Patrol Division for their work in investigating the incident.
All arrestees are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Seymour Man Charged After Target Lot Disturbance; Officer Injured
Police say George Suazo, 21, of Seymour was arrested by warrant on October 25 in connection with an October 3 disturbance in the Target parking lot, where he allegedly assaulted a responding officer, causing injury. Suazo is charged with Assault on a Police Officer and Breach of Peace 2nd Degree
1 Rolled Over 1 On Fire
Route 8 northbound is closed near exit 9 where a one car is rolled over and a second car is on fire shutting down the highway. No word on injuries.
Fire Truck Accident
Shelton police are investigating a crash involving a fire truck on Bridgeport Avenue. The fire truck was responding to a mutual aid call to the town of Trumbull when the accident occurred. EMS was called to evaluate 4 firefighters on board and there were no reported injuries.
2025-10-21@2:10PMish
Route 8 Crash
A viewer sent in these photos of a crash on exit 13 of Route 8 this morning. No word on injuries.
2025-09-19@8:30PMish #Shelton CT