One Arrested for Criminal Impersonation after Identity Theft

Press Release

On June 30, 2022, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Westport Police officers responded to the TD Bank located at 185 Main Street on a report that a man was attempting to fraudulently obtain a debit card by impersonating the real account holder.  The suspect was still in the bank when officers arrived.  He said his name was Edward Tucker and presented a Pennsylvania driver's license with that name.  The bank employee said that a Norwalk branch of TD Bank notified the Westport location that the suspect was supposedly trying to engage in the same fraudulent activity there and to be aware should he come to Westport.  The Norwalk bank also advised that they reached out to the real account holder who said he was still in PA.

The suspect reportedly admitted that his real name was William Schwarz, and it was determined that the PA driver's license in his possession was fake.  Mr. Schwarz also had in his possession a Wells Fargo bank card with the name Edward Tucker on it.

Mr. Schwarz was placed under arrest and charged with Identity Theft in the Second Degree, Forgery in the Second Degree, Criminal Impersonation, Payment Card Theft, Criminal Attempt at Illegal Use of a Payment Card, and Illegal Use of a Payment Card.  He was held on $50,000.00 bond and transported to Stamford Superior Court on July 1, to be arraigned.

Fire on Fireworks Barge “Under Investigation”

Westport Fire Department Press Release: 

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Westport Fire Department photo

At approximately 9:30 pm on June 30, 2022, during the annual Westport Police Athletic League (PAL) Fireworks Celebration, a fire started on the barge's deck used to launch the fireworks. The cause of the fire is under investigation at this time, and there were no injuries nor property damage. The Westport Fire Department was able to coordinate with the crew from Fireworks by Grucci to ensure their safety and the safety of the public during the fire. Westport Firefighters on the scene were assisted by a fire boat from the Norwalk Fire Department to extinguish the fire. 

The fire was extinguished at 11:25 pm, and the barge was able to return to Long Island to set up for another fireworks display tonight.

Police: One Person Shot at Wafu in Southport; Investigation Continues

Wafu Asian Bistro on Post Road in Southport. Image from Google Maps. 

Just after midnight, Westport Police officers responded to Wafu Asian Bistro in Southport on Post Road for the reported active shooter. Any shots fired had stopped prior to police arrival, however they found large crowds leaving the area and later found shell casings discharged from a gun, according to the Fairfield Police Department. One patient with a gunshot wound from the shooting was reported to have arrived at Bridgeport Hospital a short time later. Police are asking for any cell phone footage or pictures to assist in their investigation, with anonymous tip options available. The shooting is the second major event to strike the local sushi bar this year after Westport and Fairfield police departments responded to the location in February for the report of a large fight, with upwards of 20 people being pepper sprayed by someone in the crowd and dozens fleeing the area upon their arrival. (click to read more)

Fairfield Police Department Press Release:

On Sunday June 19, 2022 at approximately 0015hrs the Fairfield Police Emergency Communications Center received several 911 calls reporting shots fired at Wafu, 3671 Post Road, Southport. Westport Police also received several 911 calls reporting the same activity and sent officers to assist.

First arriving officers from Fairfield and assisting officers from Westport found a large crowd dispersing from inside of the restaurant to the parking lot area. Employees from the restaurant reported hearing shots fired following the altercation however there were no gunshot victims found by police.

Approximately ten minutes later, police were notified by Bridgeport Hospital that they were treating a gunshot victim who claims to have been shot in Southport.

A preliminary investigation revealed that an adult male sustained a gunshot wound to the arm and was suffering from non-life threatening injuries. Several items of evidentiary value were found on scene which include shell casings. This is an ongoing and active incident being investigated by the Fairfield Police Detective Bureau.

Anyone with information or may have video from their cell phone is asked to contact the Fairfield Police Detective Bureau at 203-254-4840.

Anonymous tips can be submitted via the Fairfield PD mobile app or by texting the keyword FPDCT plus your message/tip to 847411 (Tip411). Tips can also be submitted online at fpdct.com/tips.

(Note: When sending a tip by text message, text keyword FPDCT to 847411, add a space, type in your tip information, and hit send.)

19 Year Old New Jersey Man arrested after Stealing Checks from Westport Mailboxes; Held on $100k Bond

Westport Police Department: 

On January 20, 2022, a resident came to the Westport Police Department to report a larceny.  The complainant said that she placed a check in a post office mailbox and sometime after doing so the check was stolen.  The name of the payee was changed to Donnell Jackson and the amount was also altered.  The complainant confirmed that she never wrote a check to anyone by that name and is not familiar with the individual.

The detective assigned to the case, determined that the check was purportedly deposited into the account of Donnell Jackson at a Bank of America branch in Iselin, NJ. Additional evidence tying Mr. Jackson to this crime was obtained.  A warrant for Mr. Jackson’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court judge.

On the morning of June 8, 2022, Mr. Jackson was arrested by Westport detectives.  Per the warrant, he was charged with Forgery in the Second Degree, Larceny in the Third Degree, and Fraudulent Use on an Automated Teller Machine.  Mr. Jackson was held on a $100,000.00 bond and transported to Stamford Superior Court the morning of June 9, to be arraigned.