Category: Westport

Traffic Advisory – CT United Ride

On Sunday, September 8, 2024, the CT United Ride will travel through nine area towns, including Westport, to pay tribute to the victims and first responders of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. The event is Connecticut’s largest annual 9/11 tribute as well as the largest motorcycle ride in the state.

The motorcade will follow the route established last year, beginning at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport at approximately 11:30 a.m. and continuing through Westport into Wilton, Redding, Bethel, Newtown, Monroe, Trumbull, and Fairfield, before ending at Seaside Park in Bridgeport. The procession will travel from Sherwood Island State Park onto the Sherwood Island Connector, then take Interstate 95 southbound from Exit 18 to Exit 17.

From there, the procession will head north up Saugatuck Avenue (Route 136) from Exit 17, continue north on Riverside Avenue (Route 33) to Wilton Road, and cross the Wilton town line. The route is closed and continuous, meaning that with the assistance of a police escort, the participating motorcyclists will drive through traffic lights and not stop at stop signs.

Motorists should anticipate extended traffic delays along the procession’s route, which could potentially last 45 minutes or longer. Although delays are to be expected, please be mindful of those we lost over 20 years ago, as well as their families who are with us today, as it is a day for remembrance and reflection.

It is recommended that wherever possible, alternate routes should be sought to avoid these areas, as they will be rendered completely impassable until the entire procession clears.

Troopers Sustain Minor Injuries, CSP K-9 Escapes Injury in I-95 Incident in Westport

On 08/28/2024 at approximately 11:39 AM, a Trooper assigned to Troop G in Bridgeport responded to I-95 Southbound in the area of Exit 17 in Westport for a disabled tractor trailer in a hazardous location in the median portion of the highway.

 

Prior to reaching the tractor trailer, the trooper was advised that the tractor trailer operator was observed leaving the scene on an electric scooter, crossed the three travel lanes of the highway, and was last seen driving the electric scooter southbound in the right shoulder.

 

Upon locating the tractor trailer operator, the Trooper activated their emergency lights and siren and the operator of the scooter complied and came to a stop in the right shoulder. Once stopped, the Trooper positively identified the male operator as James Wesley Aldridge, DOB 04/21/1989, of Washington, D.C..

 

During their interactions, Aldridge became hostile and uncooperative toward the Trooper, throwing his scooter to the ground and advancing toward the Trooper in an aggressive manner. The Trooper issued multiple directives for Aldridge to sit down, but Aldridge ignored the Troopers instructions.

 

In response, the Trooper prepared to deploy their State Police canine partner, K-9 Gatti, for possible apprehension. Aldridge again failed to comply with verbal directives, retrieved his scooter and began to drive away. At this time, the Trooper released K-9 Gatti to apprehend Aldridge, however Aldridge accelerated at such a high rate of speed that K-9 Gatti was unable to catch up. 

 

The Trooper and K9 returned to their cruiser and attempted to locate Aldridge. Utilizing DOT highway cameras in the area, Troop G dispatch personnel observed Aldridge exiting the highway at the Exit 17 off-ramp. Two additional responding Troopers posted at the end of the Exit 17 off-ramp and intercepted Aldridge shortly thereafter.

 

Aldridge began to actively fight with Troopers and physically resisted Troopers’ efforts to secure him in handcuffs. The initial responding Trooper arrived on scene and observed Aldridge actively fighting the other Troopers.

 

The Trooper again issued multiple verbal directives to Aldridge, who did not comply. In response, the Trooper deployed K-9 Gatti to conduct a controlled apprehension, resulting in Aldridge sustaining a bite to his right thigh.

 

Aldridge then attempted to assault and choke K9 Gatti, but was unsuccessful as Troopers quickly freed K-9 Gatti from Aldridge’s hold.

 

With the assistance of Westport Officers, Troopers were able to gain control of Aldridge. After being secured in handcuffs, EMS was requested. Aldridge continued to display aggressive and combative behavior, to include spitting at investigators, and was subsequently transported to an area hospital for evaluation. 

 

Troopers at the scene reported minor injuries as a result of their efforts to secure Aldridge; K-9 Gatti did not sustain injuries.

 

During the course of the investigation, it was learned that Aldridge was the subject of an active extraditable arrest warrant, held by the Grain Valley Police Department in Grain Valley, Missouri, in connection with a felony charge of Harassment in the First Degree. Additionally, it was learned that the active arrest warrant was approved for nationwide extradition.

 

Based upon this information detailed above, Aldridge was taken into state police custody.

 

After being evaluated and released from the hospital, Aldridge was transported to the Bridgeport Correctional Center, where he was processed and charged with the following violations, under two separate incidents:

 

C.G.S. 54-170 – Fugitive from Justice Without a Warrant

 

For the above charge, Aldridge was held on a $250,000 bond and scheduled for arraignment at Stamford Superior Court, on 08/29/2024.

 

State Police additionally charged Aldridge with the following violations:

 

C.G.S. 53a-167c – Assault on a Public Safety Officer (six counts)

C.G.S. 53-247 – Cruelty to Animals (two counts)

C.G.S. 53a-167a – Interfering with an Officer

C.G.S. 53-182 – Reckless Use of a Highway by a Pedestrian

C.G.S. 14-251 – Improper Parking

C.G.S. 14-12(a)* – Operating/Parking an Unregistered Motor Vehicle

 

Aldridge was held on a $100,000 bond in connection with these charges and is scheduled for arraignment at Stamford Superior Court, on 08/29/2024.

Westport Police Arrest Waterbury Teen in Stolen Mercedes-Benz Case Following Merritt Parkway Crash

Eighteen-year-old Keon Webster of Waterbury, CT, was arrested on charges including evading responsibility (hit and run), second-degree burglary, larceny of a motor vehicle, and conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle. His bond was set at $75,000. The arrest stems from an incident on July 14, 2024, when Westport Police responded to a report of a stolen motor vehicle. An investigation, aided by surveillance cameras, revealed that around 3:50 AM, unknown individuals arrived in a gray BMW and stole a white 2019 Mercedes-Benz from an unlocked, open garage. Both vehicles then fled the scene. Through law enforcement collaboration and electronic surveillance, Keon Webster was identified as a suspect in the incident, leading to a warrant for his arrest.

On August 25, 2024, Webster was involved in another incident on the Merritt Parkway, where he was in a stolen vehicle that crashed, after which he fled the scene. He was apprehended and transported to Norwalk Hospital for injuries sustained in the crash. Webster was subsequently charged with the aforementioned crimes and released after posting bond. He is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on September 18, 2024.

Enhanced School Security Measures

The Westport Police Department, Board of Education, and Parks and Recreation want to remind residents and visitors about the new guidelines enacted to enhance school security. From 7:30 AM to 4:15 PM on school days, only students, staff, and those conducting school-related business are permitted on school properties. This includes Wakeman Park at Bedford Middle School, the Community Gardens at Long Lots Elementary School, and all athletic fields located on school grounds. Visitors conducting business at Wakeman Town Farm may use the designated parking area at Wakeman Town Park. School Security Officers and School Security Guards will be monitoring these areas to ensure compliance.

Westport News: One Arrested After Collision on Merritt Parkway

(Westport, CT, August 25, 2024) – At approximately 1:50 p.m. today, the Connecticut State Police contacted the Westport Police Department regarding an accident on the Merritt Parkway near the Clinton Avenue overpass. According to the State Police, three individuals fled from one of the involved vehicles, which was later confirmed to be stolen from another jurisdiction.

A coordinated response from Westport and Norwalk police, along with state troopers, resulted in a large police presence on local streets near the accident site. One suspect was quickly apprehended, sustaining injuries from the collision and subsequently transported to Norwalk Hospital. The remaining two suspects evaded capture despite a search involving K-9 units and drones.

Authorities believe the two outstanding individuals have left the area, but residents are urged to report any suspicious activity to the police. For further details regarding the apprehended individual and pending charges, inquiries should be directed to the State Police.

Trumbull Robbery Suspects Apprehended in Westport

On Sunday, August 18, 2024, shortly before 5:00pm, Westport officers were advised to be on the lookout for a black Infiniti occupied by three male suspects. This vehicle was reported to be involved in an armed robbery in Trumbull, CT during which a firearm was reported to have been displayed. The suspect vehicle was initially spotted and briefly pursued by the Trumbull Police Department. It was last seen southbound on Interstate 95 near Exit 23. Shortly thereafter, a Westport officer observed the suspect vehicle traveling westbound on Greens Farms Road. It continued toward Bridge Street where Westport officers successfully deployed stop sticks. The vehicle continued, disregarding officers’ signal to stop and proceeded toward Saugatuck Avenue where further pursuit was terminated due to the recklessness of the operator. The suspect vehicle then continued southbound on Saugatuck Avenue, at times traveling southbound in the northbound lane of travel. The suspect vehicle ultimately struck another uninvolved motorist on Saugatuck Avenue at the intersection of Duck Pond Road and sustained disabling damage. The three occupants fled the vehicle.

With the assistance of Norwalk Police and the Connecticut State Police, a perimeter was established, and two suspects were quickly located in the immediate vicinity. A third suspect was also located after a further search. Saugatuck Avenue was closed for a brief period while officers investigated the motor vehicle crash. An eyewitness also reported that the occupants were observed discarding items from the vehicle while traveling south on Saugatuck Avenue. An area search was conducted, and a firearm was recovered.

The operator of the struck motor vehicle was transported to Norwalk Hospital with minor injuries. The operator of the suspect vehicle was issued a misdemeanor summons and charged with failure to drive right, reckless operation and engaging police in pursuit. All three suspects were juveniles. They were turned over to the custody of Trumbull Police to be charged in connection with the original incident.

Police activity has ceased in the area. All three involved parties were located and there is no threat to the public at this time. For further inquiries related to the incident, please contact the Trumbull Police Department.

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