(Westport, CT) On March 27th , 2023 at approximately 7:15am the Westport Police Department responded to a residence on a report of a disturbing social media post. The complainant is a student at a local school and felt concerned about going to school based on the content of the post. Responding officers immediately identified the source of the post and working with the School Resource Officer and the Detective Bureau, we were able to identify the person responsible. Working in concert with the schools and our investigators, Officers were sent to each school until we were able to locate the responsible party. By 8:00am, our officers located the responsible party and determined that there was no threat.
On February 3rd, 2023, Westport Police responded to Ulta Beauty (1365 Post Rd E) on a report of a shoplifting. Ulta Beauty has seen a significant increase in shoplifting and as such started using GPS tracking software on their products in an attempt to deter thefts. On this date, unknown suspects entered the store, stole merchandise, and fled the scene in a white vehicle. While on the scene, the investigating officer was notified that the tracking device was activated and currently tracking the item. Through an investigation by our Detective Bureau, the owner of the vehicle was identified and subsequently, they were able to identify the operator of
the vehicle.
The investigation led to Mr. Nadirashvili as the alleged operator of the vehicle who
admitted to driving individuals to the stores but denied having any involvement with the thefts. Mr. Nadirashvili made himself available for an interview at Westport PD and while at the police department, detectives noted he was driving the same vehicle that was used during the commission of the crime. While at the police department, Mr. Nadirashvili attempted to show detectives that there was no stolen merchandise in the car, but the GPS tracker that was attached to the stolen merchandise was found in his car.
A warrant was issued and on March 21st, 2023 Mr. Nadirashvili turned himself into Westport Police Department where he was charged with the above crimes. Mr. Nadirashvili was released after posting a court-set bond of $20,000 and assigned a court date of March 30th , 2023 at Stamford Superior Court.
#Westport CT–On January 27th , 2023, Ms. Reppi was arrested by Wilton Police Department for allegedly attempting to fraudulently withdraw money from a Webster Bank in Wilton. Pursuant to their arrest, Ms. Reppi spoke with Wilton Police Investigators and admitted to successfully withdrawing money fraudulently from the Webster Bank in Westport. Westport Detectives were notified and initiated an investigation. They were able to confirm, through video surveillance, that prior to attempting the withdrawal in Wilton, Ms. Reppi allegedly withdrew money from Webster bank in Westport fraudulently. An arrest warrant was issued and on March 3 , 2023, Ms. Reppi was arrested at Stamford Superior Court. Ms. Reppi was charged with the above-referenced crimes and held on a court-set bond of $50,000.
#Westport CT–On Saturday, March 4, 2023, at approximately 11:30PM, officers responded to the area of 575 Riverside Avenue on a report of a motor vehicle accident with serious injuries.
The initial report was that the nature of the accident was vehicle versus pedestrian.
Emergency responders located and rendered aid to a male victim that had been struck by a southbound vehicle. The victim sustained life-threatening injuries and was ultimately transported to Norwalk Hospital for further treatment.
Members of the Westport Police Department’s Accident Investigation Team, along with the Accident Investigation Team of the Fairfield Police Department, responded to the scene to conduct the investigation into the incident. This necessitated a temporary closure of Riverside Avenue in both directions of travel and has since been re-opened to traffic.
The operator of the vehicle remained at the scene to speak with responding officers and is fully cooperating. The accident remains under investigation by the Westport Accident Investigation Team.
The victim in this incident has been identified as Matthew Balga, age 54, of Norwalk, CT.
#Westport CT– On January 18 th , 2023 Officers responded to the parking lot of Shake Shack on a report of a theft from a vehicle. The responding officer located the complainant in the parking lot standing next to his work van. The complainant reported that he was inside a business doing work and when he returned to his work van, he noticed that it had been entered, rummaged through, and tools had been stolen. Leaving the parking lot, the complainant observed a black pickup truck containing some of his items in the bed of the truck. The investigating officer reported the suspect vehicle and shortly thereafter, Fairfield Police Department advised that they had stopped the vehicle and located items belonging to our complainant. The operator of that vehicle was identified as Jimmie Bennett. A warrant was submitted and approved charging Mr. Bennet with the above-referenced charges. On February 10 th , Mr. Bennett was in Stamford Superior Court on an unrelated matter when the Judicial Marshalls advised they were holding him on our warrant. Mr. Bennett was transported to Westport PD where he was charged with the above crime and held on a court set bond of $50,000.
On December 21 st , 2022 Westport Police initiated an investigation after a complaint was made regarding damage caused to landscaping at a property owned by the Westport Housing Authority. The complainant provided video surveillance of the alleged suspect driving over grass areas of the property causing significant damage. Through the surveillance footage, the investigating officer identified the alleged suspect as James Doyle. The officer applied for and was granted a warrant charging Mr. Doyle with the above crime. On January 13 th , 2023, the investigating officer witnessed Mr. Doyle driving his vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. Mr. Doyle was arrested and transported to Westport Police Department where he was processed. Mr. Doyle was released on court set bond of $2500 with a court date of January 23 rd , 2023 at Stamford Superior Court.
#Westport CT—On October 28 th 2021, Officers responded to the area of Center St on a report of an individual, later identified as Cameron Baker, acting erratically and drinking motor oil. Responding officers located Mr. Baker walking in the middle of Center St and attempted to engage him in conversation. Mr. Baker was actively drinking a liquid, later identified as liquid fuel additive and yelling at officers. Officers began to follow Mr. Baker down Center St when he began to run while continuing to drink this liquid. Officers caught up with Mr. Baker where he immediately began to fight with officers. While fighting with the officers, he punched them in their heads causing one officer to fall to the ground and break his wrist. Throughout the fight, officers repeatedly gave verbal commands to stop fighting and to comply. Mr. Baker referred to officers with derogatory names and made threatening statements concerning officers and their families.
Mr. Baker was eventually subdued and ultimately sent to Norwalk Hospital. Warrants were applied for and granted charging him with the above referenced crimes. Mr. Baker was unable to turn himself in until he did on January 17 th when he was charged and released on a $50,000 court set bond with a court date of January 26 th , 2023.
#Westport, CT– On Wednesday January 18, 2023, the Westport Police Department working with the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program (TPEP) conducted unannounced compliance inspections of establishments that sell tobacco products and/or electronic cigarettes. The inspections were performed in an effort to determine compliance with state laws concerning the prohibition of the sale of e-cigarettes and/or tobacco products to youth under the age of 21.
Retailers are required by state law to inspect the photo ID of anyone who appears under the age of 30 before selling a tobacco product or electronic cigarette. Free online training is available to anyone who would like to learn more at: www.cttobaccotraining.com .
A total of 5 unannounced compliance inspections were conducted. Of this total, 0 (zero), establishments were found non-compliant with Connecticut General Statutes 53-344 (Sale of tobacco to a person under 21) or Section 53-344b (Sale of an e-cigarette to a person under 21). Learn more at https://www.ct.gov/dmhas/tpep Tobacco retailers are licensed by the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS). Non- compliant inspection results are referred to DRS for possible administrative action. The following retailers were found to be compliant:
