The Ansonia Police Department arrested a 17-year-old male on both juvenile and motor vehicle charges for his involvement in the April 26, 2025, street takeover on Wakelee Avenue. Due to his age the name of the suspect will not be released; the motor vehicle charges regarding the incident will be separate from the juvenile charges and will be adjudicated at Derby Superior Court.
On May 15, 2025, the male was charged with Riot First Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Riot First Degree and Reckless Endangerment First Degree and held by Juvenile Court.
On June 4, 2025, the male was charged with Reckless Driving, Racing, Operating without a License, Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle, and Operating with No Insurance. He was held on $25,000.00 bond and will be arraigned at Derby Superior Court on June 6, 2025.
All arrestees are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the police department at 203-735-1885 or anonymous tips can be left at Tip411 at the link below.
Firefighters are at Griffin Hospital at 130 Division Street for smoke on the second floor. It turned out to be burnt popcorn in a microwave which they are now ventilating.
On May 15, 2025, Roger Pratt, age 36, of Naugatuck was arrested by warrant for Possession of Child Sex Abuse Material First Degree. Pratt was arraigned in Derby Superior Court and held on a court set bond of $75,000.00.
Roger Pratt’s arrest was the result of an investigation that began when he was accused of going online and attempting to meet an underage girl. A group of private citizens that uses social media to identify possible child predators engaged in conversations with Pratt and then confronted him in Ansonia. While the actions of the group to identify and expose child predators is commendable the Ansonia Police Department does not recommend private citizens confront someone they suspect, but rather reach out to the law enforcement agency where the suspect resides to report their suspicions.
All arrestees are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
A large crowd of 50 to 100 people and several dozen cars took over the intersection of Wakelee Avenue and Franklin Street in Ansonia early Saturday morning, with some damaging a police car when an officer arrived. The crowd dispersed once more officers responded, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
From the Ansonia Police:
On April 26, 2025 at about 12:25 A.M., the Ansonia Police Department received multiple reports of a possible street takeover and fireworks being shot off at the intersection of Wakelee Avenue and Franklin Street. The first officer on scene encountered a between 50 and 100 people in the street with several dozen cars in the road, some of which were driving erratically. A group approached the officer’s car, with at least one of them jumping onto the hood of the police car while the others started to surround it. The officer attempted to back away and struck a car that was parked. The group continued to advance on the officer and began to throw objects at his car, damaging the car. Once more police officers arrived the crowd dispersed entering Route 8 going both north and south. No one was injured in the incident. The investigation is ongoing and we have begun to identify suspects. There is a video circulating on social meeting depicting some of the incident, we ask that you do not share or re-post the video as it gives groups like this the social media recognition they are trying to gain.
Chief Williams and the entire Ansonia Police Department would like to thank the jury in the Morales case for their service and verdict in finding Jose Morales guilty. We would also like to thank the Ansonia/Milford Judicial District led by State’s Attorney Margaret Kelley, in particular Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Howard Stein, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Marc Durso, Inspector Butch Hyatt, Inspector Herb Johnson, Inspector Robert Winkler, Paralegal Chelsea Meehan and all the staff for their dedication and commitment to presenting this case to the jury and securing a conviction. Finally, thank you to the residents of Ansonia for their support and belief in the Ansonia Police Department to protect and serve our City.
While the conviction of Jose Morales closes one part of this case, we continue to investigate the disappearance of Vanessa Morales.
In December 2019, the Ansonia Police Department launched a homicide investigation after 43-year-old Christine Holloway was found murdered in her home. Alongside the devastating discovery, investigators also found that Holloway’s 15-month-old daughter, Vanessa Morales, was missing. The child’s father, Jose Morales, was later arrested and charged with Christine Holloway’s murder, but the disappearance of Vanessa remained—and still remains—unsolved.
Over the following years, the case continued to weigh heavily on the Ansonia community. In a 2022 update, police emphasized that while Jose Morales had been charged in the homicide, the search for Vanessa was still very much active. Authorities released both original and age-progressed images of Vanessa in hopes the public might help bring closure. The department urged anyone with information to come forward, stressing their determination to uncover the truth of what happened to the missing toddler.
Now, with the jury’s recent guilty verdict in the homicide case against Jose Morales, one chapter of this tragedy has reached resolution. The Ansonia Police Department has expressed gratitude to the jurors, prosecutors, investigators, and the community for their efforts and support. However, they continue to investigate Vanessa’s disappearance, underscoring that justice for Christine is only part of the story—the search for Vanessa is not over.
Shelton Firefighters were called for a fire on the roof at Fire Engine Pizza, at 768 Bridgeport Avenue. The firefighters quick response located a fire on the roof near an exhaust fan and kept it contained to just that area.
Shelton Animal Control rescued a dog that was left at Extended Stay America Suites at 945 Bridgeport Avenue for an extended period of time without water or food. Shelton Police are investigating.
