#Westport CT– At approximately 11:00am on 3/15/18, officers were dispatched to a local liquor store on a report of a male that had just made a suspicious purchase. The store employee provided a description of the suspect and advised officers the suspect made a purchase with a Visa gift card. Another officer located a male matching the suspect description walk into a local restaurant and followed him inside. He overheard the suspect’s credit card purchase get declined. The officer approached the suspect and learned he had also made a purchase at another local liquor store just prior. The suspect was identified as Damion Hollis, 29, of Mount Vernon, NY. He was being driven from business to business by Jocelyn Torain, 30, of Mount Vernon, NY. Hollis was cooperative and provided officers the gift card used to make the purchases. The numbers imprinted on the front of the card did not match the credit card number encoded in the magnetic strip on the back, determining that it was a fraudulent manufactured card. Hollis and Torain were arrested and brought to headquarters. Hollis was charged with 3 counts of 53-128d Illegal Use of Credit Card, 2 counts of 53a-128g Receipt of Money/Goods/Services by Illegal Credit Card Use, 53a-128c(f)(g) Credit Card Counterfeiting/Forgery, 53a-125b Larceny 6 th and 53a-48 Conspiracy. He was released after posting $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Norwalk Court on 03/26/2018. Torain was charged with 53a-48 Conspiracy to Commit (Illegal Use of Credit Card). Torain had an active arrest warrant out of Stamford, CT. She was released to the custody of Stamford PD on a Promise to Appear and is scheduled to appear in Norwalk Court on 03/26/18
#Westport, CT – Public Works Director Peter Ratkiewich announced today that due to the extensive amount of debris generated by the back to back Nor’easters last week, the Town’s Yard Waste Site at 180 Bayberry Lane will be open for the following extended hours: Saturday 3/17 – 7 AM to 3 PM Monday – Friday 3/19 – 3/23 – 7 AM to 5 PM Saturday 3/24 – 7 AM to 3 PM In response to the amount of tree damage that residents have incurred due to the recent storm, Ratkiewich also said that the fee for residents to dispose of yard waste will be waived through Saturday March 24. The fee will not be waived for commercial haulers. Town forces will begin cleanup operations, weather permitting on Thursday, March 15. “Public Works will make a single pass through town to pick up storm debris that has fallen within the road right-of-way” said Ratkiewich, “Clean up operations are expected to take up to two weeks, dependent on if any other storms add to the problem. Your patience during this trying time is appreciated”
Westport, CT- Unfortunately, following this week’s storm, the Westport Police Department has received complaints from multiple businesses in town regarding a power company scam. The businesses have received calls from persons purporting to be from Eversource Energy advising they will not have their power restored unless they provide the phone payment. Eversource crews have been working tirelessly to restore power to residents and businesses in Westport. The company does not require additional payment for this service. Please do not provide personal information or credit card information to anyone over the phone. If you have any questions about the legitimacy of a call received, please contact Eversource directly at 800- 286-2000. If you believe you have fallen victim to this scam, please contact the police department via the non-emergency line (203) 341-6000.
Westport, CT– On March 6, 2018 at approximately 3:15pm, a juvenile female was approached by a suspicious male and female on Marion Road. The juvenile reported she just got off the bus from Coleytown Middle School, when an older black 4 door vehicle with a loud muffler drove towards her. The operator asked the juvenile if she needed a ride. The juvenile replied no and continued walking to a house nearby where she called her parents. The operator is described as a Hispanic male with dreadlocks and a goatee, age 20 to 30 years old with a deep voice. The passenger was described as a black female with her hair in a bun, also 20 to 30 years old. The Westport Police Department is working closely with the Westport Board of Education to ensure the safety of our students and continue to keep the public informed. Anyone with information to assist in identifying this male and female is asked to call the Westport Detective Bureau at 203-341- 6080.
#Westport CT–On August 16, 2017, the Westport Police Department received a report from a resident of California who advised that she had contracted with a moving company out of Brooklyn, NY to move her possessions from her former residence in Westport to her new residence in California. The victim reported that her property never arrived in California and she was now unable to reach the moving company. Officers from patrol began the investigation, which was turned over to the Detective Bureau for further investigation. Investigators learned the victim made an initial payment to the “owner” of the moving company and on the date of the move, she was required to pay the balance of the contract. When the victim’s property did not arrive in California, she began trying to contact the moving company unsuccessfully. She eventually made contact and was advised that the property was being held in Brooklyn, NY and she would need to pay additional money for it to be released and delivered. It became very clear that the victim was being scammed. The victim later hired a second company to move her belongings from New York to California. Detective Marc Heinmiller tracked down the main suspect in this case, Kirk Gillums, 54, of Hollis, NY, and ultimately obtained an arrest warrant charging him with Larceny 2nd. On February 20, 2018, Gillums was extradited back to Connecticut from New York and charged with 53a-123 Larceny 2 nd . Gillums was held on $25,000 bond and was transported to Norwalk Court for arraignment the following day.
UPDATE: At approximately 9:00 p.m. this evening Eversource completed repairs at the intersection of Greens Farms Road/Bridge Street at Compo Road South. The road is now open in all directions and therefore, the detours that were outlined in the traffic advisory issued earlier today will no longer be necessary. Additionally, all major roadways, as well as the majority of the smaller side roads, are now open to traffic. Even though most of our roads are now open, the Police Department asks that all drivers and pedestrians use extra caution as there is still a possibility of low hanging wires (especially on small side roads and common driveways). Further, under no circumstances should anyone come into contact with wires found on the ground. Instead, contact the police or fire department. As a reminder, any power outage reports, general outage questions or associated non-emergency issues associated with electrical repairs should be directed to Eversource Energy at (800) 286-2000.
#Westport CT–Due to the residual electrical grid damage from the Fr, day March 2nd storm and the associated continuing repairs, it is anticipated that the intersection of Greens Farms Road/Bridge Street at Compo Road South may remain closed to vehicular traffic at least through the morning commute on Monday March 5, 2018. With that in mind, motorists should be aware of the following detour route which will be set up to accommodate traffic that would otherwise be travelling through this area. Road closures will be in place at the following locations: Bridge Street at Imperial Avenue, Compo Road South at Keyser Road, Greens Farms Road at Hillspoint Road and Compo Road South at Elaine Road. Any destinations within this area will be accessible only to local traffic; all other traffic should adhere to the following outlined detour. Again, this plan has been generated under the current assumption that absolutely no vehicular no traffic will be allowed through the intersection of Greens Farms Road at Compo Road South. Traffic officers and/or traffic control devices will be present to assist with traffic direction at the above locations. Motorists traveling from all points south of the Interstate 95 overpass on Compo Road South should follow Compo Road South to Hillspoint Road north to the intersection of Greens Farms Road. From this point, traffic will be routed either east on Greens Farms Road and/or north on Hillspoint Road. Motorists traveling west on Greens Farms Road will be detoured north at the intersection of Greens Farms Road and Hillspoint Road toward Post Road East (Route 1). No westbound traffic will be allowed on to Greens Farms Road from the Sherwood Island Connector. This area will be accessible to local traffic only. All other traffic will be diverted north on the Sherwood Island Connector towards Post Road East (Route 1). March 4, 2018 2 Compo Road South will be completely closed to southbound traffic at the intersection with Keyser Road. All southbound traffic on Imperial Avenue will be diverted west on Bridge Street. All eastbound traffic on Bridge Street will be diverted north on to Imperial Avenue. Please reference the attached map for a visual depiction of the information described above. As of this time this traffic plan is subject to change based on the timing of the completion of repairs which is still unknown at present. Should the work be completed or the intersection be partially or totally re-opened an updated release will be sent out advising of any resulting modifications to the plan. If the work should continue into the evening hours of the Monday March 5th commute, motorists can expect a similar detour plan as outlined above to be in place. Please expect an updated press release to be sent this evening with any further information and/or modifications. Please alter any travel plans accordingly allowing extra time for the anticipated delays associated with this detour and seek alternate routes around the area wherever possible. As a reminder, any power outage reports, general outage questions or associated non- emergency issues associated with electrical repairs should be directed to Eversource Energy at (800) 286-2000.
UPDATE: Westport, CT–This morning at approximately 9:00am, the Westport Police Department was contacted by Staples High School officials and advised a juvenile male student was overheard making threats to shoot a teacher. The student who overheard this statement reported it to school officials this morning. Officers and detectives responded to Staples High School where the male student was already being interviewed by school administration. Based on the information learned by school administrators, it was confirmed the student did have thoughts of executing a mass shooting at the high school. At this time, we continue to investigate whether these thoughts developed into a plan. Our detectives were able to establish that there were firearms in the student’s home. The firearms belong to the student’s father and were reportedly locked in a safe. However, officers could not confirm whether all the firearms were accounted for. Out of an abundance of caution, Staples High School was first directed to shelter in place while buses were assembled for dismissal at approximately 1:15 p.m. Officers from surrounding towns assisted Westport officers at Staples High School as the school was released on early dismissal. Also as a precaution, officers were posted at all other schools in town to assist, although no other schools dismissed early. The suspect is in custody at this time. His family is cooperating fully with the investigation and search warrants were executed at his residence. The Westport Police Department will conduct a search of the entire school facility this afternoon to confirm the school is safe for a return tomorrow morning. The Westport Police Department would like to thank the Police Departments of Norwalk, Fairfield and Stamford as well as the Connecticut State Police for their assistance. Most importantly, we would like to express our gratitude to the student who reported his concerns to school officials and prevented a potential tragedy. (Westport Police Press release).
#Westport CT–#Faifield CT– Staples High School dismisses early on an “abundance of caution” due to an unspecified threat. Fairfield Schools have increased their police presence at schools as a precaution.
#Westport CT– On 02/17/2018 at approximately 1:00am, an officer observed a vehicle traveling on Post Rd East with darkly tinted windows and an expired registration. A motor vehicle stop was conducted in the area of 1385 Post Rd East. During the motor vehicle stop, officers determined that two passengers of the vehicle had active warrants for their arrest. One passenger, identified as Jeffrey Garcia, 22, of Bridgeport, had an outstanding warrant from the Fairfield Police Department. Another passenger, identified as Frankie Figueroa, 22, of Bridgeport, had two outstanding warrants; one from the Newtown Police Department and the other from the Mashantucket Tribal Police. Garcia was taken into custody and charged with 51-164r Failure to Pay or Plead. He was released after posting $150 court set bond and is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Court on 02/27/2018. Figueroa was arrested and charged with 51-164r Failure to Pay or Plead for the warrant originating from the Mashantucket Tribal Police. He was released after posting $500 bond and is scheduled to appear in New London Court on 02/26/2018. Figueroa was additionally charged with 51-164r Failure to Pay or Plead for the warrant originating out of Newtown and released after posting $150 bond. He is scheduled in appear in Danbury Court for that charge on 02/27/2018.
#Westport CT–On 08/27/17, officers responded to the docks behind 575 Riverside Avenue on a report of a stolen boat. Officers learned that the victim’s boat had been stolen at approximately 4:00am and returned at approximately 5:00am, according to the boat’s GPS. The boat had been taken down the Saugatuck River and out into Long Island Sound by Compo Beach before being returned. The victim found his boat partially uncovered and observed damage to the hull. While waiting for police, the victim observed a male, later identified as Patrick Gillis, pull up alongside his boat in another. Gillis exited his boat and began to replace the cover on the victim’s boat. Gillis left the scene after being told by the victim that police were on the way. Further investigation revealed Gillis was in the same locations as the victim’s boat during the time frame it was missing. An arrest warrant application was submitted for Gillis and was granted by a judge. On 02/17/18,
Gillis turned himself in at police headquarters on the active arrest warrant. He was charged with 53a-119b Using a Vessel Without Permission, 53a-126b Criminal Trover 2nd and 53a-115 Criminal Mischief 1 st . He was released after posting $15,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Norwalk Court on 02/27/2018.
