Suspicious Person Incident At Westport Schools

(Westport, CT 5/19/2022) At approximately 9:00 a.m. this morning, the Westport Police Department’s School Security Officer and the Staples School Resource Officer began to investigate a report of a suspicious person on school grounds. An unknown male who appeared to be in his teens was dropped off at Bedford Middle School, but the person then left that campus and walked towards Staples High School. The incident was deemed suspicious because at the time no one recognized this individual, and it was unknown what he was doing on school property.

Out of an abundance of caution, the school’s superintendent placed both Bedford Middle School and Staples High School in a shelter in place status. Several patrol officers responded to make sure the students at both schools were kept safe and to look for this unknown person. Westport detectives also went to the scene and worked with school officials to attempt to identify the party. It was ultimately determined that the person in question was in fact a Staples student. The student was simply running late and after managing to get a ride to Bedford, he walked over to Staples. Chief Koskinas said that “this was the best possible outcome” and further stated that the timely resolution of this incident is a testament to the excellent working relationship that the police department has with the school system.”

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Westport News: House Fire

2022-05-10@12:38am–#Westport CT– #cttraffic— Firefighters quickly extinguish a house fire on Hunting Lane.

Wesport News: Fire Equipment Being Sent to Ukraine

Westport Fire Department donated used personal protective equipment such as coats, pants, boots that they can no longer use to Ukraine. On behalf of the Westport Fire Department, Fire Marshal Nathaniel Gibbons organized the project and delivered the fire turnout gear yesterday for a shipment being sent abroad to the Ukrainian firefighters.

Gibbons stated, “Firefighters support one another around the county or the world. The men and women of Ukraine fighting fire under war conditions reached out for our support- so we responded. We support them and their fight for freedom.”

Chief Michael Kronick stated, “Imagine trying to put out a fire without the proper fire equipment. There are raging fires in cities, forests, and fields from the numerous bombing attacks which the firefighters are working around the clock to put out. We know that our equipment is going to save lives and help the firefighters.” Gibbons also wanted to thank Westport resident Mark Yurkiw. Yukiw is fluent in Ukrainian and expedited the communication and logistics necessary to get this gear directly to Ukraine Emergency Services.

The National Fire Protection Association specifies that structural turnout gear shall be retired when the garment is beyond repair and no longer able to pass the NFPA 1851 test. While this donated gear is past its technical expiration date for use here in the States, it is clean, in serviceable condition, and ready to provide protection to our Ukrainian brother and sister firefighters.

Westport News: Assault

#Westport CT–On April 23, 2022, Westport Police officers responded to a construction site on Saugatuck Avenue on a report that a male had fallen from a roof. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim had not fallen, and that the injury was the result of an assault committed by a coworker. The coworker, identified as Michael Gomes-Liandro, allegedly struck the victim in the arm with a metal pipe. Mr. Gomes-Liandro left the scene prior to the officers’ arrival. He was quickly located at the Saugatuck Train Station and was reportedly positively identified as the person who committed the assault.

Mr. Gomes-Liandro was arrested and charged with Assault in the Second Degree. He wasreleased after posting a $75,000.00 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on May 2, 2022.

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Risk of Injury to a Child

#Westport CT— On January 27, 2022, the Westport Police Department’s Detective Bureau received areport that a Bedford Middle School teacher possibly touched a student inappropriately. The teacher was identified as Arthur Ellis. The complainant stated that she had Mr. Ellis for a class, and it was alleged that the inappropriate touching occurred this past December during class time.

The detective assigned to this case conducted an extensive investigation and based on the results a warrant for Mr. Ellis’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.

On the afternoon of April 27, 2022, Mr. Ellis turned himself in at the Westport PoliceDepartment. Per the warrant, he was charged with Sexual Assault in the Fourth Degree and Risk of Injury to a Child. Mr. Ellis was released after posting a $100,000.00 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on May 6, 2022.

Westport News: Fire At Kennel

2022-04-21@11:45am– Firefighters were called to 1040 Post Road West for a structure fire, the Townhouse for Dogs and Cats. The fire appeared to be on the 2nd floor porch, 2nd floor and attic area. It took firefighters about an hour to get the bulk of the fire knocked down. I did see crates of animals being taken out of the building by firefighters. It is not known if any animals were injured. A man, woman and child were escorted to an ambulance possibly to be keep them warm. There did not appear to be any injuries.

Westport News: House Fire

#Westport CT– On April 19, 2022, at approximately 4:27 am, the Westport Fire Department was requested to respond to a report of a house fire. The original call was for a fire alarm. Itwas quickly followed up with a call from the occupant. The caller reported smoke in the house. Westport Fire responded with four engines, a rescue truck, and a command vehicle. Responding units were not coming from their normal locations due to all units being assigned to storm-related calls at the time. Surrounding towns were requested to provide coverage as well as respond to the scene to augment staffing. On arrival, a heavy smoke condition was found on the first and second floors. The occupants were able to leave the building before firefighters arrived. Two canines were removed by firefighters and did not appear to be injured. Firefighters were able to locate the fire traveling in the wall and ceiling in the kitchen. Firefighters had to open the ceiling spaces up and were able to quickly deploy a hose line to extinguish all visible fire. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries reported at the time of this report. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Westport Fire Marshal’s Office.

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Westport News: Sexual Assault

#Westport CT–On August 2, 2021, the Westport Police Detective Bureau began to investigate a reported sexual assault which took place at a Westport residence. The complainant stated that on August 1, 2021, he was visiting with a friend who was identified as Cameron Kassees. The complainant alleged that during this visit he was sexually assaulted by Mr. Kassees.

An extensive investigation was conducted which included multiple interviews and the execution of search warrants. Based upon the results of the investigation, a warrant for Mr. Kassees’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.

On the evening of January 26, 2022, Mr. Kassees turned himself in at the Westport Police Department. Per the warrant, he was charged with Sexual Assault in the Second Degree. Mr. Kassees was released after posting a $2,500.00 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on February 4, 2022.