Report of a structure fire on Hubbell ave in Ansonia. Mutual Aid from Derby has been called in, and both are currently putting out the fire, which is extensive all over the building.
Category: Valley
Ansonia Man Arrested After Guns and Drugs Found in Abandoned Duffel Bag
During the month of March, the Bridgeport Police Task Force conducted an investigation into G’s Smoke Shop, located at the intersection of Middle Street and John Street. Search warrants were obtained in connection with illegal firearms and unauthorized marijuana sales.
On March twenty-eighth, two thousand twenty-five, Task Force officers executed search warrants on both the smoke shop and an apartment located above the store. As a result of the search, officers seized a loaded nine-millimeter handgun, approximately eighty-six and a half pounds of marijuana products, approximately ten pounds of hallucinogenic mushroom products, and more than one hundred sixty-five thousand dollars in U.S. currency.
The subject of the investigation, forty-two-year-old Gabriel Rodriguez of Bridgeport, is a convicted felon. He was charged with multiple firearm and narcotics violations, including criminal possession of a firearm and possession of hallucinogens, as well as possession of more than one kilogram of marijuana with intent to sell.
Ansonia Man Arrested After Guns and Drugs Found in Abandoned Duffel Bag
On May 22, 2024 the Ansonia Police Department received an abandoned property complaint regarding a duffel bag containing drugs and guns left in a common hallway of an apartment building in the 200 block of Main Street. When officers recovered the bag they located seven firearms, several different drugs to include cocaine, marijuana, fentanyl, methamphetamine, tramadol and ecstasy, and drug packaging material. One of the guns in the bag was reported stolen from Trumbull in 2003. Detective Kristen Hunt and Detective Shawn Mendenhall continued the investigation using surveillance and video from the surrounding businesses. They were able to identify a potential suspect through DNA and Detective Hunt was able to obtain an arrest warrant.
On March 18, 2025, Geoffrey Feliciano, age 37, of Ansonia was taken into custody and charged with Possession with Intent to Sell Cocaine, Possession with Intent to Sell Narcotics, Possession with Intent to Sell Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Sell Hallucinogen, Possession with Intent to Sell Marijuana, Possession of a Controlled Substance 4 counts, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Theft of Firearm, Failure to Obtain Serial Number Firearm 4 counts, Improper Storage of Firearm 7 counts, Reckless Endangerment First Degree, and Risk of Injury. Feliciano posted a court set $100,000.00 bond and his next court date is April 9, 2025 at Derby Superior Court.
All arrestees are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Route 8 Shutdown
Route 8 southbound is currently closed for an accident investigation between exit 9 and 12.
2025-03-29@10:00AMish–#Shelton CT– #cttraffic
Possible School Break-In
Derby Police are investigating a possible break-in at St. Michael’s School at 78 Derby Avenue according to unconfirmed radio reports.
2025-03-25@8:08am–#Derby CT
Two Cars On Fire
Report of two cars on fire in the parking lot of Target at 20 West Main Street.
2025-03-22@10:30pm–#Ansonia CT
Today’s Vehicle Fire
Today’s vehicle fire is being hosted by Shelton on Route 8 northbound in the right lane.
2025-03-22@3:03pm–#Shelton CT–#cttraffic
Stratford Police Arrest Two in Fentanyl and Cocaine Distribution Investigation
Stratford, CT – Following a months-long investigation into fentanyl and cocaine distribution, the Stratford Police Department’s Narcotics, Vice, and Intelligence (NVI) Unit executed multiple search warrants on March 7, 2025, resulting in the arrests of two individuals.
William Pjura, 29, of Ansonia, was identified as a key distributor supplying street-level drug dealers throughout Stratford. Search warrants were executed at residences in Ansonia and Shelton, as well as on a vehicle and Pjura himself, with assistance from federal and state law enforcement agencies. Pjura was charged with multiple drug offenses, including the operation of an illegal drug factory and possession with intent to sell fentanyl, crack cocaine, and other narcotics. He is being held on a $250,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on March 17.
George Rich, 60, also of Ansonia, was arrested at the same location and charged with illegal possession of narcotics and obtaining prescriptions unlawfully. He was released on a $5,000 bond with a court date set for March 17.
Authorities seized approximately 42 grams of crack cocaine, 84 grams of fentanyl, oxycodone pills, a 2010 Cadillac CTS, and $1,600 in cash. The investigation was supported by the DEA and FBI task forces, along with the Connecticut State Police.
Convicted Felon Arrested After Shots Fired in Ansonia
On March 7, 2025 at about 10:30 P.M., the Ansonia Police Department received multiple calls reporting shots fired from in or around 84 Franklin Street. A witness reported seeing a gun pointed out a window at the location and fired towards the rear of the house into the woods. Officers made contact with the owner/resident, another occupant of the home and shell casings were located outside the home. A search warrant was obtained for the home and located during the search were two handguns, a shotgun, three BB guns, and ammunition for the handguns and shotgun.
Ryan Ortiz, age 39, the owner of the home is a convicted felon for Illegal Sale of Firearm in New York. He was arrested for five counts Criminal Possession of Firearms and Ammunition and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Pistol, held on a $250,000.00 bond to be arraigned in Derby Superior Court March 10, 2025
The investigation is ongoing to determine who fired the gun and additional charges are anticipated.
All arrestees are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Two Arrested in Ansonia Street Robbery as Police Condemn Bystanders’ Inaction
On March 5, 2025, the Ansonia Police Department obtained arrest warrants for the March 1, 2025 robbery complaint that occurred on the street in front of 370 East Main Street, The Spot restaurant and lounge. While the beginning of this case and investigation showed the downside of social media with people more interested in recording and posting the incident and not reporting it. Once the video was posted there were numerous people who responded and provided information to help identify the involved parties. The information coupled with the work of Detective Shawn Mendenhall resulted in the arrest of Tashira Sparks and Carl Octavio Brown for their involvement in the incident. Sparks was the female in the video and Brown was the male recording.
Tashira Sparks, age 19, of Ansonia was charged with Robbery Third Degree, Conspiracy to Robbery Third Degree, Larceny Second Degree, Conspiracy to Larceny Second Degree, Threatening Second Degree, Unlawful Restraint First Degree, and Breach of Peace Second Degree. Sparks was held on a $250,000.00 bond to be arraigned at Derby Superior Court on March 6, 2025.
Carl Octavio Brown, age 29, of Bridgeport was charged with Robbery Third Degree, Conspiracy to Robbery Third Degree, Larceny Second Degree, Conspiracy to Larceny Second Degree, and Breach of Peace Second Degree. Brown was held on a $250,000.00 bond to be arraigned at Derby Superior Court on March 6, 2025.
The following is a statement from Chief Williams.
“Last evening, detectives and officers from the Ansonia Police Department obtained arrest warrants and took two suspects into custody for the robbery in front of The Spot in Ansonia.
As Chief of the Ansonia Police Department, I am outraged by the recent street robbery in which a victim was attacked while bystanders stood by, recording the crime for social media instead of calling for help. This is not just disappointing—it is disgraceful. Let me be absolutely clear: this is not an accurate depiction of the residents of the City of Ansonia. When someone is being victimized, the right thing to do is to step up—call 911, get help, do something. Instead, people chose to pull out their phones and chase social media attention while an innocent person was suffering. That is completely unacceptable. Criminals thrive when people choose apathy over action. Every second wasted recording instead of reporting puts victims at greater risk and allows criminals to escape justice. We cannot allow this kind of behavior to become normal. Let me also issue a challenge to our society—be better. If you see something, do something. Your phone should be a tool for calling for help, not for exploiting someone’s pain for likes, clicks and shares.
I want to thank those that have stepped up after the fact to provide information on the suspects in this case.”