Local News in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Stratford, Norwalk, and Beyond!
Category: Westport
#Westport CT–On 11/01/16, Officers were dispatched to a local pharmacy as Norwalk Police were investigating the theft of a prescription pad and learned someone attempted to fill the prescriptions there. Officers on scene spoke to the pharmacy employee who had recognized the three prescriptions as fraudulent. The suspect was later identified as Luke Montgomery of Westport. An arrest warrant for Montgomery was applied for and granted. On 10/27/17, the Westport Police Department was contacted by the Southern CT State University Police Department and advised they had Montgomery in custody.
Westport officers transported Montgomery from Southern CT State University to Westport headquarters where he was charged with 21a-266 Obtaining Controlled Drugs Fraud and held on $10,000 court stipulated bond. He was unable to post bond and was transported to Norwalk Court the following day for arraignment.
#Westport C% – William Vornkahl, President of the Westport Veterans Council, announced that the Town of Westport will hold Veterans Day services on Saturday, November 11 in the Town Hall auditorium. The public is invited.
At 10:30 a.m., the Westport Community Band will present a “Patriotic Salute to All Veterans” program which will include marches and patriotic tunes.
The services will begin at 11:00 am, the time that the Treaty was signed to end World War I. The program will include a Veterans Day address by Staples High School Senior Brooke Kessler, President of the Rho Kappa Honor Society.
#Westport CT– On 10/24/17, officers were dispatched to a report of an indecent exposure. The victim was checking her mail when a neighbor, identified as John Blackman, exited his residence wearing only a blanket. He commented to the female before opening the blanket exposing his genitals. Blackman was taken into custody and charged with 53a-186 Public Indecency. He was released on a promise to appear and is scheduled to appear in Norwalk Court.
#Westport, CT– You may see some of our officers looking more dapper than usual. This is because, for the third year in a row, members of the Westport Police Department are participating in “No Shave November.” No Shave November is a web-based, non-profit organization devoted to growing cancer awareness and raising funds to support cancer prevention, research, and education. For the month of November, members of the Westport Police Department are granted modified grooming standards in order to grow beards to donate to this cause. In order to participate, police officers made a donation of $50.00 each.
Chief Koskinas said, “Participating in “Men Wear Pink” for the month of October and attending several American Cancer Society events, afforded me the opportunity to meet so many people that have supported cancer treatment and research efforts or personally suffered from the disease. It only motivated us to bring more attention to the cause.” Last year, the Westport Police Department initiative was able to raise $3,175.00 for colorectal cancer research and Homes for Hope, surpassing their goal of $2,500.00. Following “No Shave November,” officers will attend a “Shave Off” event at H Salon in Fairfield. For additional questions regarding the department’s participation in “No Shave November,” contact Officers Brendan Fearon or David Scinto.
#Westport, Conn. – William Vornkahl, President of the Westport Veterans Council, announced that the Town of Westport will hold Veterans Day services on Saturday, November 11 in the Town Hall auditorium. The public is invited. At 10:30 a.m., the Westport Community Band will present a “Patriotic Salute to All Veterans” program which will include marches and patriotic tunes. The services will begin at 11:00 am, the time that the Treaty was signed to end World War I. The program will include a Veterans Day address by Staples High School Senior Brooke Kessler, President of the Rho Kappa Honor Society.
#Westport CT– The Westport Police Department is proud to announce Officer Ned Batlin is a recipient of the United States Attorney’s Community Policing Award. Officer Batlin is being recognized as an officer and community leader who has used the power of collaboration and partnership to make the Westport community safer. He was nominated by the Connecticut Police Chiefs as being an officer who embodies the best of community policing.
Over the course of his 16 year career, Officer Batlin has continuously worked to improve the relationship between the police and the community. He is a member of the Westport Youth Commission, which he was instrumental in creating. The Commission has held multiple events to bring police officers and kids together in a positive environment. After the Commission’s success, Officer Batlin pioneered the Westport
Police Youth Collaborative. This collaborative is a club for high school students and officers to work together on community service projects, team building and some instructional information about a career in law enforcement.
In the spring of 2017, Officer Batlin was the program coordinator for our first ever Westport Youth Citizens’ Police Academy. Officer Batlin has also been an instrumental member of our Community Policing Panel. He is the first patrol officer to be named President of the Police Athletic League in Westport. The Westport P.A.L. provides multiple organized sports for boys and girls as well as host of other community
based programs. In addition to coaching football and lacrosse coach at the youth and high school level, many young children know him as “Officer Friendly” who has spoken to their classes about what a police officer is and stranger danger. Officer Batlin has also sat on the Norwalk / Westport Juvenile Review Board, a diversionary program for juveniles, since its inception. Most importantly, Officer Batlin has forged many strong, positive relationships in the community from the programs listed here, as well as his many years on patrol.
The award ceremony was held at the United States Attorney’s Office in New Haven at three o’clock on October 25 th . First selectman Jim Marpe extended his congratulations to Officer Batlin and stated, “Officer Batlin has set the standard for community policing in Westport.” Congratulations to Officer Batlin on receiving this prestigious award and thank you for all of your hard work to strengthen the relationship between the Westport Police Department and the community of Westport.
Arrested for the above incident were Fernando Morales, 41, of Derby, CT and Rafael Valle, 34, of Bridgeport, CT. Morales was arrested and charged with C.G.S 53a-60 Assault 2nd, 53a-63 Reckless Endangerment 1 st and C.G.S 53a-181 Breach of Peace. He was released after posting $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Norwalk Court on November 6 th . Valle was charged with 53a-63 Reckless Endangerment 1 st . He was released after posting $5,000 bond and is also scheduled to appear in Norwalk court on November 6 th .
There is still one party outstanding. The Westport Police Department continues to work closely with the Derby Police Department investigating this incident.
Westport Police Update: On 10/24/17 at approximately 9:00am, Westport Officers were dispatched to the area of 550 Post Road East on a report of a fight in the area. Arriving Officers located two males fighting in the middle of the road in front of the Volvo dealership. It appeared the males were involved in a motor vehicle accident on the Post Road, and the fight ensued. Officers quickly handcuffed the two males and began to investigate the cause. It was learned that there was a disturbance between the involved parties in Derby, CT which preceded the Westport incident. Westport Detectives are working with the Derby Police
Department to determine exactly what occurred this morning. It was also learned that one or two other males fled the scene of the disturbance on the Post Road and were not located. At this time, the Westport Police have two males in custody.
One is being treated at Norwalk Hospital for injuries sustained during the altercation. The other is being interviewed by Detectives. Once the males have been successfully identified and processed, their identities will be released.
#Westport CT– A home invasion in Derby lead to a manhunt in Derby. The homeowner was able to follow/chase a white work van where it crashed on Route 1 near Hillspoint Road. There is a multi agency response with K-9 from surrounding areas. As of 10am there is one person in custody. Police are looking for a medium-built Hispanic male wearing a brown shirt and jeans.
#Westport, CT– On October 12, 2017 at approximately 1600 hours, Chief Koskinas was driving by the International Wine Shop (732 Post Road East) and observed two young females each holding a case of beer. He observed the females walk to the back of a vehicle with an open trunk, which contained two additional cases of beer. Chief Koskinas stated both females appeared to be teenagers and under the age of 21. The
females were stopped in their vehicle a short distance away. They admitted to purchasing the beer from International Wine Shop and stated they had not been asked for identification. Both teens were charged with possession of alcohol by a minor and their parents were notified.
Officers then responded to International Wine Shop and spoke to the cashier who matched the description provided by the teens. Wen Chen, 35, of Sandy Hook admitted she sold the beer to the girls and did not ask for identification that day. Chen was issued a summons charging her with C.G.S. 30-86 Sale of Alcohol to a Minor. She was assigned a court date of October 19, 2017 at Norwalk Court and was released on a
promise to appear.
#Westport– On Saturday, October 28, 2017, the Westport Police Department, in cooperation with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will be participating in another nationwide “Drug Take Back Day” to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation’s homes. Officers will be at the Westport Weston Health District, 180 Bayberry Lane, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. so residents can bring expired, unused or unwanted prescription and over the counter medications for proper disposal. Needles/sharps will not be accepted.
This national collaborative effort provides an opportunity for the public to surrender pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications to law enforcement officers for destruction. In our homes, these substances are a potential source of supply for the increasing abuse of pharmaceutical drugs in the United States and an unacceptable risk to public health and safety. There is also a year-round collection bin located in the lobby of police headquarters so drugs can be properly disposed of at any time rather than waiting for designated
collection dates.
#Westport CT–On 06/14/17 at approximately 7:30pm, the victim of this incident reported his bicycle stolen from the Saugatuck train station bike rack located on Railroad Place. The victim reported he locked up his bicycle with a lock. Detectives reviewed video surveillance footage from that day and observed a white or Hispanic male remove the lock and ride off on the bicycle. Detectives recognized the suspect to be George Lopez who was previously arrested for the same offense. Lopez was interviewed but he denied committing the crime. Based on Detectives positively identifying Lopez in the surveillance footage, an arrest warrant was submitted to Norwalk Court.
On 09/19/17, Westport Officers responded to Troop G Bridgeport to pick up George Lopez for the active warrant. He was transported to Westport Police Headquarters where he was processed and charged with Larceny 6 th degree. He was held in lieu of a $5,000.00 bond.
