Fairfield Police Conduct Search and Recovery Operation Following Discovery of Submerged Vehicle

FAIRFIELD, CT – On Thursday, August 22, 2024, at approximately 12:39 PM, the Fairfield Police Department was notified by the Weston Police Department of a vehicle submerged in the Aspetuck River, directly behind Aspetuck Falls in Fairfield. The vehicle was believed to have been at this location for several days and was found to be unoccupied.

Upon arrival, Fairfield Police personnel confirmed that the vehicle appeared to be unoccupied. A Fairfield Police diver further confirmed that no one was inside the vehicle and that no individuals were located in or around the water near the vehicle. Further investigation revealed evidence suggesting that the operator of the vehicle may have been inside when the vehicle entered the water. Information received during the initial investigation determined that the owner of the vehicle was last seen on Sunday, August 18, at approximately 5:00 PM. The vehicle was reportedly last seen in Wilton at around 10:00 PM that same evening. Based on these findings, a recovery operation was initiated.

At approximately 5:24 PM, the subject, identified as Robert Macisaac, 59, of Weston, CT, was located deceased in the Aspetuck River in the area of Bayberry Lane and Easton Road in Westport.

A preliminary investigation suggests that the incident could be related to the severe weather conditions that occurred in the area this past Sunday, although the exact cause of the vehicle leaving the roadway remains under investigation. The official cause of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

We extend our gratitude to all those involved in the search and recovery efforts, including the State Police Aviation Unit, State Police SAR K9 Unit, Westport Police Department, Weston Police Department, and the numerous Fairfield Police personnel who assisted, for their dedication and professionalism throughout this operation.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones of Mr. Macisaac during this difficult time.

Upcoming Local Events:

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Black Rock PorchFest is coming back this Saturday, August 24th – Hosted by Park City Presents

Wednesday, August 28 · 6 – 7:30pm

Join ConnectFairfield for an exciting mozzarella-making experience with Dom from @Italian Kitchen at Elicit Brewing Co – Fairfield Learn, eat, and craft your own delicious fresh mozzarella!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/making-mozzarella-with-dom-from-italian-kitchen-tickets-974171100987?aff=oddtdtcreator

Elicit Brewing Company. Speakeasy

111 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield

Wine on the Water

September 4, 2024 5-7pm

Proceeds to benefit Friends of the Bigelow Center

Tickets purchasable at https://friendsofthebigelowcenter.org/

Bridgeport News: Two Arrested After Traffic Stop Uncovers Loaded Gun and Spent Shell Casing

On Thursday 8/22/2024 Officers Mendoza and Sadowski of the Bridgeport police patrol division received credible information regarding a party brandishing a firearm in their patrol area on Park Avenue near Washington Terrace. This area has notable incidents of gun violence. The officers received a vehicle description and observed the vehicle traveling without a front license plate. A motor vehicle stop was conducted on Washington Avenue at Sanford Place. After contacting the male operator who matched the description of the suspect he was directed out of the vehicle.

As the suspect exited the vehicle officers observed a spent pistol shell casing on the driver’s seat indicative of a pistol fired from within the vehicle.  The suspect was detained as well as the female passenger and subsequent investigation resulted in locating a loaded Glock 22 .40 Caliber pistol under the passenger seat as well as an additional spent shell casing. The pistol had a high-capacity magazine with 12 rounds in it, it had a laser sight attached, and the serial number had been obliterated. It was secured into evidence for additional forensic testing.

Neither occupant of the vehicle had a pistol permit. The driver was identified as Ramos, Roberto 28 years old of Bridgeport and Torres, Everdoll 35 also of Bridgeport. Both were charged with carrying pistol without permit, Alteration of Firearm identification, Illegal possession of large-capacity magazine. Bond was set at 50,000. Ramos was additionally charged with failure to display plates.

2015 Barnum Festival Ringmaster Announced

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Gregory J. Gnandt, 55, a philanthropist and general contractor from Trumbull, has been chosen as the 2025 Barnum Festival ringmaster. Gnandt, who revived the festival’s car show fundraiser into a popular event with concerts, food trucks, and vendors at Z-Topia in Monroe, has a long history with the festival. Growing up in Bridgeport, Fairfield, and Trumbull, the Barnum Festival was a cherished family tradition for Gnandt, who always dreamed of being the ringmaster.

Gnandt’s life has been marked by community service, including organizing the first memorial after the Sandy Hook tragedy and the Green Ribbon Ride for the victims’ families. He’s also involved in fundraising for St. Vincent’s Swim Across the Sound and is a 20-year Free Mason and Shriner.

Serving on the Barnum Festival’s board of directors for five years, Gnandt helped bring back the car show post-COVID, now a flagship event. He will focus on tradition and children’s charities as the ringmaster, with support from his wife, Peggi. The couple has big plans for 2025, aiming to blend traditional events with new ones.

Gnandt expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m honored to receive this prestigious position,” and looks forward to keeping the festival’s tradition alive in 2025.

GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES PRESIDENT BIDEN APPROVES EMERGENCY DECLARATION FOR CONNECTICUT IN RESPONSE TO EXTREME FLOODING

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has received notification from the White House indicating that his request for President Joe Biden to authorize a federal emergency declaration for Fairfield County, New Haven County, and Litchfield County in response to the extreme flooding from the historic rainfall that portions of the state received earlier this week has been approved.

The declaration means that state agencies can coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on the deployment of federal personnel and equipment to augment emergency recovery efforts already underway by the state and its municipal counterparts. This includes actions to protect lives and property, and restorative efforts that defend public safety.

Staff from several state agencies, including the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, among others, have been on the ground since the initial impact of the storm to provide emergency services.

“This federal emergency declaration means that additional equipment and crews could be mobilized to Connecticut to support our many state and local crews who have been on the ground working to repair damaged roads, bridges, and dams, and also clean up waterways that have been contaminated by all kinds of hazardous items from the storm,” Governor Lamont said. “There is still much work to do to repair and reopen the roads and make sure those who live in the area remain safe, and we are committed to completing this task. I thank President Biden for taking these actions and providing Connecticut with these lifesaving resources.”

The Lamont administration is continuing to work with towns, businesses, and individuals to conduct detailed damage assessments and calculate whether the cost thresholds have been met that would enable the state to receive a major disaster declaration from the federal government, which could result in the release of federal funding to support the rebuilding and repairing of damage to eligible public and uninsured private property. Any such funding to support those efforts requires the approval of a separate declaration. The process of conducting these assessments typically takes several weeks to complete and is already underway.

Bridgeport Man Arrested After Infant Found Dead in Milford Motel Room

On August 21st, 2024 at 11:06am Milford Police received a call from the Mayflower Motel, reporting that their cleaning staff had discovered an unresponsive infant lying in the bathtub of a vacated room. 

Milford Police performed CPR on the infant until Paramedics arrived and took over life saving measures. The infant was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital and was pronounced deceased at 11:56am. Milford PD Detectives and the Milford State’s Attorney’s Office responded and assumed the investigation. 

Investigation revealed that Dale Kirkland, 31, of Bridgeport had been renting said room and checked out on the morning of August 21, 2024. 

It is believed that Kirkland arrived at the motel with the infant on the evening of August 20, 2024, and checked out, leaving the infant behind. 

Kirkland was located in Bridgeport with the assistance of the Bridgeport Police Department. He was taken into custody and transported to Milford Police Headquarters where he was charged with Risk of Injury to a Minor and Cruelty to Persons. 

He is currently being held on a $1 million bond. Kirkland is expected to be arraigned in Milford Court today with additional charges possibly pending.

Bridgeport News: Arrest Made with incident involving unresponsive baby

At 7:30pm Bridgeport Police Department, Milford Police Department, and Connecticut State Police apprehended suspect Dale Kirkland in Bridgeport at the corner of East Main St. and Berkshire Ave. Kirkland had a warrant out for his arrest due to the incident this morning in Milford, where an unresponsive baby was found. This is an active investigation.

Photo Credit: Frank Recchia

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