Fire on Wade Street Bridgeport

Shortly after 11:15pm Saturday night firefighters were called to 247 Wade Street for a structure fire.  Firefighters found the back of the structure on fire.  A strong breeze was concern but their quick work prevented the fire from spreading further.  Homeowner Doreen Wallace Davis was at work when the blaze broke out.   she lives elsewhere.  The house was vacant at the time but a primary search was conducted which turned out negative.  Acting Assistant Fire Chief James Cook told us upon arrival the house was heavily involved in fire from the rear, the first two engine companies  got an attack line in and did an initial search.    No firefighters were injured fighting the fire.

Farifield Police Loses One Of Their Finest

From the  Chief of Police Gary MacNamara’s page on Fairfield Police’s website:

Written by Gary MacNamara

Providing public safety service, whether POLICE, FIRE, or EMS, requires trained telecommunicators often operating in the background, to answer emergency calls, and dispatch resources.  Once dispatched, the resources require constant communication back to headquarters to effectively handle most incidents.

This past week, the Town of Fairfield lost one of those individuals who for over twenty years dedicated his work to providing those emergency services .  Telecommunicator Joe Thomas passed away last week.  For over twenty years he was there for the community and our emergency service personnel to answer all our calls for help.

While the other members of our emergency dispatch center continue to respond to all our calls for help, they do so while missing a friend and a colleague.

We all owe a big thank you to Telecommunicator Joe Thomas for his years of service to the town of Fairfield.

Thanks Joe.  You will be missed!

Chief Gary MacNamara

Stratford Loses A Hero

Lieutenant Tom McCabe

Lieutenant Tom McCabe was a 24 year decorated veteran of the Stratford Fire Department, served as Treasurer for the Firefighters Benevolent Association, and was also the department historian. Lt McCabe was 54 years old and leaves behind a wife and three children. The loss of Lt McCabe will surely have a lasting impact on the members of the Stratford Fire Department and his local community. RIP Lt McCabe. We miss you brother and you will not be forgotten!” (Stratford CT, Fire Department Local 998 Facebook page).

Stratford Star is reporting that a wake for Stratford Fire Department Lt. Thomas McCabe will be held Friday, Jan. 27, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Galello & Luchansky Funeral Home, 2220 Main St., Stratford. The funeral service will be Saturday, Jan. 28, at 10 a.m. at St. Mark’s Parish, 500 Wigwam Lane Stratford. Read full story…..

Happenings NOW 1-27 thru 1-28-2012

[SlideDeck id=’494′ width=’100%’ height=’400px’]

‎

9:33–#Fairfield #Bridgeport–A car jacking just occurred at Super Stop and Shop at 1160 Kings Highway Cutoff. Police located the vehicle and brief pursuit took place entering into Bridgeport. Bridgeport Police entered the pursuit which quickly ended with Fairfield making the arrest on State Street and Iranistan Avenue.

3:50am–#Bridgeport–Man in car on Terrace Circle which is off Trumbull Avenue was struck from behind. He apparently got out of his vehicle when he was shot in the thigh by an unknown shooter. He was then transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital by a private vehicle. The vehicle that struck the man may have been stolen from Reservoir Ave.
‎‎
3:32am–#Bridgeport–Another gunshot victim at 57 Terrace Circle as well as one struck by a car.

1:11am–#Bridgeport–Arctic Street man fighting with his girlfriend smashes a mirror with his fist now bleeding profusely. Didn’t he know it’s bad luck to break a mirror? EMTs and police on the way.

4:46pm–Bridgeport–Rite Aid manager on Main Street pursues shoplifter in his car in the Vincellette Street area calls police with turn by turn updates. Shoplifter then flees on foot running behind a house. Police on scene with the manager on Vincellette Street.
‎
3:45pm–Fairfield–School bus blocking traffic on Beach and Old Post Road. The bus driver said a female hit the bus and continued backing into the bus. Police on the way.

3:35pm–Fairfield—Forced entry attempted on Lovers Lane, Man fled in a landscaping truck last seen fleeing on Jennings Road.

Man Arrested For Westport Jewelry Store Murder Kills Himself In Prison

A West Haven man awaiting extradition to face charges of murdering the owner of a Westport jewelry store and stealing $300,000 worth of diamonds has killed himself in a Spanish prison, according to law enforcement sources.   Andrew Robert Levene, also known as Robert Thomas, was arrested Tuesday in Spain on federal murder, robbery and firearms charges. The 41-year-old former Army Ranger was being held in an undisclosed Spanish prison pendng a court appearance.   Read full story…….

Crane Toppled In Stratford

Early Wednesday evening on Ferry Boulevard behind BJ’s in Stratford , a crane that was being loaded to be transported to Pennsylvania toppled over while being loaded on the carrier.  Assistant Fire Chief Lance Edwards told us small spill of diesel fuel was quickly contained and posed no hazard to the Housatonic River nearby. DEEP assisted firefighters and oversaw the cleanup with a local contractor.

Man charged in gruesome ax murder

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A Florida man has been arrested and charged with murder after police say he hacked Angel “Tun Tun” Gonzalez to death in a Brooks Street apartment and then cannibalized the body.  Police said the assailant later ate a portion of the victim’s brain and one of his eyeballs at a local cemetery.   Read full investigative report……

SUSPECT IN MURDER OF WESTPORT JEWELER ARRESTED IN SPAIN

United States Attorney David B. Fein, Westport Police Chief Dale E. Call, Colonel Danny R. Stebbins of the Connecticut State Police, Kimberly K. Mertz, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Marshal Joseph P. Faughnan today announced that ANDREW ROBERT LEVENE, also known as “Robert Thomas,” 41, was arrested yesterday in Spain on federal murder, robbery and firearm charges.
        According to a federal criminal complaint filed in the District of Connecticut, it is alleged that on the evening of December 8, 2011,  LEVENE met with the owner of YZ Manufacturers, LLC, (“Y.Z. Jewelers”) in Westport, Conn., pretending he was going to complete the purchase of several large diamonds he had arranged to buy earlier that month.  Instead, LEVENE shot and killed the owner of Y.Z. Jewelers, shot and wounded the owner’s associate, stole approximately $300,000 in diamonds, and later fled the United States to Europe.
        “I want to commend the Westport Police, Connecticut State Police, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania, New York and Spain for their expert, coordinated investigation that has led to the apprehension of this defendant,” stated U.S. Attorney Fein.
        “We are proud of the efforts of law enforcement officials on the local, state, federal and international level who all contributed to the investigation and apprehension of this suspect,” stated Westport Police Chief Call.  “We hope that it brings some peace of mind to the victims’ families.”
        According to court documents, it is alleged that in early December 2011, LEVENE contacted the owner of Y.Z. Jewelers, a diamond dealership located at 431 Post Road East in Westport, and asked the owner to locate several diamonds that were between two and three karats in size and valued between $45,000 and $75,000.  On the evening of December 7, 2011, the owner of Y.Z. Jewelers and an associate met LEVENE at the dealership.  LEVENE examined the diamonds but told the owner he would have to “sleep on it.”
        It is further alleged that, on the morning of December 8, 2011, the owner of Y.Z. Jewelers called his associate to inform him that he had scheduled a meeting with LEVENE for later that evening and asked his associate to bring to Westport the diamonds previously viewed, as well as additional diamonds.  When the associate arrived at the dealership that evening, the owner and LEVENE were already in the store.  The owner then showed LEVENE six diamonds with a total value of approximately $300,000.  After looking at the diamonds and conversing for several minutes, LEVENE took out a gun and shot the owner and his associate.  LEVENE then took the diamonds and let himself out of the store.
        After LEVENE left the store, the associate placed a 9-1-1 emergency call.  The owner of Y.Z. Jewelers was transported to Norwalk Hospital where he was pronounced dead.  His associate also was transported to Norwalk Hospital for treatment.
        On December 11, 2011, LEVENE allegedly flew from Philadelphia to Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
        LEVENE was arrested on January 23 by Spanish National Police.
        The criminal complaint charges LEVENE with one count of interference with commerce through robbery, one count of federal murder, one count of attempted murder, and one count of causing death through the use of a firearm.
        U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
        This case is being investigated by the Westport Police Department, Connecticut State Police Detectives of the Western District Major Crime Squad, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Marshals Service.  The investigation has been assisted by the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk, the Philadelphia Police Department’s Homicide Unit, the Pennsylvania State Police, the New York Police Department, Interpol Spain and Interpol, United States National Central Bureau in Washington, D.C.
        The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tracy Lee Dayton and Vanessa Richards.
Exit mobile version