Early Morning House Fire Displaces Three from Bayberry Lane; Required Wilton, Fairfield Firefighters to Respond
Westport Fire Department Photo
Press Release
The Westport Fire Department Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call shortly after 6:30am this morning by a resident reporting a structure fire. The fire department responded with 4 engines, 1 ladder truck, 1 rescue truck, and 2 shift commanders. First arriving units found a 2 story, 2 family home with fire on the first floor, second floor, and attic. Two attack lines (fire hoses) were stretched and operated to extinguish the fire. Fire companies searched the house for victims and found none as the house had been evacuated prior to the arrival of the fire department.
The residents of the second floor were alerted to the fire by a working carbon monoxide detector and they notified the residents of the first floor to evacuate. No injuries were reported. Three residents have been displaced by the fire.
The fire was investigated by the Westport Fire Marshal’s Office. The Westport Police and EMS responded to assist on scene. The Wilton and Fairfield Fire Departments assisted on scene and with station coverage during the fire.
The Westport Fire Department reminds residents to have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on all floors of their homes.
Failing to Appear at Court, Man Held on $550,000 Bonds from $60,000 Jewelry Theft from Westport Home
After an April 11th burglary of a Westport home that stole $60,000 worth of jewelry, and the subsequent April 17th arrest of three men connected to the break-in, one suspect was arrested again this week after failing to appear to his original April court date. He posted $100,000 bond after his initial arrest, but after missing his court date days later, he was held on over half-a-million dollars bond by Westport police detectives this week.
Press ReleaseOn January 26, 2021, Westport Police detectives took Franco Saladrigas-Garcia into custody as he was wanted on two outstanding warrants for Failure to Appear in the First Degree. Mr. Saladrigas-Garcia allegedly neglected to appear in court to face burglary and larceny charges stemming from an April 17, 2020 arrest. He was held on bonds totaling $550,000.00 and was transported to Stamford Superior Court on the morning of Wednesday January 27, 2021 for arraignment.
Locked Car Broken Into at Winslow Dog Park; Windows Smashed as Owner Walked Dog
A vehicle was broken into this morning around 11:30 AM at Winslow Dog Park, according to the vehicle’s owner. While walking their dog, the locked car’s passenger side window was smashed, and the center console was rummaged through by an unknown criminal. The Westport Police Department were contacted to investigate.
This is not the first time a dog walker’s car has been broken into during the day, but one of several instances over the past year of locked cars having their windows smashed and their valuables taken while using the park. It’s unknown if there have been any surveillance cameras or other taken to protect the parking lot, located on Compo Road North near Post Road East.
Westport PD Announce Arrest Warrant Scam
From the Westport Police Department’s 01/14/21 Press Release
Today several residents have reported receiving a phone call from someone purporting themselves to be one of our officers or an FBI agent, advising the residents they are the subject of an arrest warrant and wanted by our agency. The caller then requested payment from the residents in the form of gift cards to avoid arrest.
Please know this is a scam and the Westport Police Department does not notify individuals by phone of existing arrest warrants. We also never collect bond/bail payments over the phone or in the form of prepaid gift cards. Some of these calls can be very convincing. Should you ever doubt the legitimacy of such a call, please contact our main non-emergency number at (203) 341-6000.
Teenager Arrested for Disorderly Conduct, Interfering with an Officer
From the Westport Police Department:
On Sunday November 15, 2020 at approximately 2:03 a.m., Westport Police officers responded to a residence on Saugatuck Avenue on a report of a disturbance. As the officers were attempting to investigate the complaint, Brian Vasquez reportedly started to become unruly. He allegedly began to yell at as well approach individuals whom an officer was trying to interview. Additionally, Mr. Vasquez was reported to have repeatedly ignored the officers’ commands to cease engaging in the above behaviors. He was ultimately transported to the hospital for treatment of an injury he received earlier in the evening.
An arrest warrant was sought and subsequently granted for the arrest of Mr. Vasquez.
On Saturday January 9, 2021, Mr. Vasquez was taken into custody by officers from the Stamford Police Department in connection to the active warrant related to this case. He was turned over to the Westport Police and per the warrant, he was charged with Disorderly Conduct as well as Interfering with an Officer. Mr. Vasquez was released on a promise to appear and is scheduled to be arraigned at Norwalk Superior Court on Thursday February 25, 2021.
$25,000 Bond for Westport Woman Arrested for Assault
According to the Westport Police Department:
On December 13, 2020 at approximately 10:25 p.m., Westport Police officers responded to a local residence on a report of an assault. The victim alleged that a female she was familiar with, Felicia Sajetta, came to her door, made an accusation, and then supposedly proceeded to attack her (the victim) with some type of electronic defense weapon. The victim did have injuries consistent with the type of assault she described. Ms. Sajetta was interviewed in reference to this matter and while she did admit to having words with the victim she denied assaulting her.
Based upon the results of the investigation, an arrest warrant was sought and subsequently granted for Ms. Sajetta’s arrest.
On Sunday January 10, 2021, Ms. Sajetta was taken into custody by officers from the Bridgeport Police Department in connection with the active warrant related to this case. She was turned over to the Westport Police and per the warrant, she was charged with Assault in the Second Degree. Bond was set at $25,000.00 which Ms. Sajetta was unable to post. She was transported to Stamford Superior Court the morning of January 11, 2021 for her arraignment
Sunday Night Car Accident Injures Several on I-95
A car accident was reported just after 9:30 PM Sunday night on I-95 in the area of the Exit 17 Northbound ramp, requiring both Norwalk and Westport First Responders, as well as Connecticut State Police, to respond. The accident appeared to involve multiple vehicles, with multiple injuries reported at the scene. No word on the extent of any injuries or on what may have caused the accident. Northbound traffic was slowed as lanes were closed while the accident scene was active. Photo from I-95 prior to the exit 17 off-ramp, northbound.
One Arrested for Riverside Ave DUI; Two Arrested for Burglary of Westport Business
One Arrested on Riverside Avenue for DUI; Illegal knife found in pocket during arrest:
On Wednesday January 6, 2021 at approximately 5:58 p.m., Westport Police officers responded to the area of Riverside Avenue on a report of an erratic driver. A witness was following the vehicle as it was traveling northbound on Riverside Avenue and advised that the car was swerving and had crossed over the center line a number of times. Officers located the vehicle in question stopped in the area of 1 Riverside Avenue. The operator was identified as Peter Ferraro. In speaking with Mr. Ferraro, the investigating officer noted that he exhibited signs which indicated he may be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Standardized field sobriety tests were administered on scene and reportedly not performed to standard. Mr. Ferraro was ultimately placed under arrest on the suspicion of driving under the influence. As he was being searched, an illegal knife was found in the pocket of his pants.
At police headquarters, Mr. Ferraro initially agreed to submit to chemical testing, but later withdrew his consent. He was charged with: Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs – 14-227a; and Weapons in a Motor Vehicle – 29-38. Mr. Ferraro was released from custody after posting a 1000.00 bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned at Norwalk Superior Court on Friday February 12, 2021. (Westport Police Department)
Two arrested for burglary of Elm Street business, released on $50,000 bond:
On October 26, 2020 at approximately 2:45 p.m., Westport Police officers responded to Elm Street on a report of the burglary of a business. While investigating this case, it was learned that an additional burglary had occurred in a separate office in the same building.
The investigating detective was able to obtain surveillance footage of this incident which showed a man and woman removing the stolen property from the building. Based upon this footage, the detective was able to develop two suspects who were identified as Jonathan Acuna and Nemesis Velazquez. They were interviewed at their home and Mr. Acuna purportedly admitted to being involved in the crime. Additionally, some of the stolen property was reported to be found on the premises.
Based upon the results of the investigation, arrest warrants were sought and subsequently granted for both Mr. Acuna and Ms. Velazquez.
On the evening of January 7, 2021, both Mr. Acuna and Ms. Velazquez turned themselves in at the Westport Police Department in connection with the active warrants. Per the warrant, both were charged with: two counts of Burglary in the Third Degree – 53a-103; two counts of Larceny in the Fourth Degree – 53a-125; two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Burglary in the Third Degree – 53a-48/53a-103; and two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the Fourth Degree – 53a-48/53a-125. Both were released from custody after posting a $50,000.00 bond. They are scheduled to be arraigned at Norwalk Superior Court on Friday February 19, 2021. (Westport Police Department)
Westport Car Stolen by Juveniles as Owner Pumped Gas; Ends in Police Car Stolen, Ramming Into Officers (Video)
Just after 9:00 AM this morning, a woman who was pumping gas at the Exxon station at 1510 Post Road East, Westport, had her vehicle stolen by a man who quickly jumped into the front seat and drove away. The car was found in West Haven later-on, occupied by two men. While West Haven police attempted to apprehend the suspects, one of the juveniles escaped police, stole one of the nearby police cars, hit several police officers, and fled the scene until the vehicle was disabled a short time later. The graphic video can be seen below.
From the Westport Police Department:
On January 6, 2021 at approximately 9:04 am the operator of a BMW stopped to get gas at the Exxon gas station located at 1510 Post Road East in Westport. As the operator was pumping her gas, a male got into the driver’s seat of the running BMW and proceeded to drive away in the car at a high rate of speed. Fortunately, the owner of the BMW did not sustain any injuries.
The investigating officer, was able to work with BMW to track the vehicle using GPS technology and the car was reported to be in the greater New Haven area. This information was relayed to area police departments and the car was ultimately located in West Haven, CT. The West Haven Police attempted to pull the car over and it finally came to a stop after striking several vehicles in heavy traffic.
At this point, there were two occupants in the BMW. As one was being taken into custody, the second suspect entered a West Haven Police patrol car and drove the cruiser in reverse striking several officers. The cruiser became disabled after being driven thru a nearby cemetery and the second suspect was apprehended without further incident. It was determined that both individuals who were arrested are juveniles. The officers who were struck did not sustain any
serious injuries.
While maybe not necessary in the past, this incident tells us that we should be securing our vehicles even when stepping away for a moment or two.
Graphic footage can be seen here
Two Federally Charged After FBI, Westport PD, State PD Investigates Westport & Surrounding Area Car Thefts
According to the U.S. Department of Justice:
“John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that on December 22, 2020, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging CHRISTOPHER MULKERN, also known as “Chucky,” 21, and EDWIN CORDERO, 20, both of Stratford, with federal car theft offenses.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, the FBI, Connecticut State Police and local police are investigating multiple car theft rings in Connecticut. Mulkern, Cordero and others have stolen numerous motor vehicles, and used the stolen vehicles to travel throughout Connecticut and to neighboring states to steal other vehicles and the valuables inside, including credit cards, cellular telephones, and firearms. Mulkern and Cordero typically frequented upper middleclass neighborhoods to go “car-checking” or “jigging,” which involves an attempt to open the door of a motor vehicle and, if successful, steal the vehicle and/or valuables inside.
It is alleged that, on December 1, 2020, Mulkern and Cordero stole a Porsche Panamera from a residence in Westport, Connecticut. Shortly after midnight on December 2, law enforcement in Westerly, Rhode Island, identified the stolen Porsche and attempted to stop the car. The Porsche drove recklessly, at speeds of at least 86 mph, between Rhode Island and Connecticut, and evaded police who, for safety reasons, were forced to terminate pursuit.
It is further alleged that, at approximately 4 a.m. on December 2, Mulkern, Cordero and others used the stolen Porsche to steal a Dodge Challenger from a residence in Milford, Connecticut. In the evening of December 2, Stratford Police spotted and attempted to stop the Porsche. During the pursuit, the Porsche rammed a car stopped at a red light at an intersection, drove up on the sidewalk and through the red light, and then struck a second vehicle, causing the second vehicle to flip onto its roof. The damaged Porsche then traveled on I-95 into Bridgeport, where Mulkern and Cordero were apprehended as they attempted to enter another stolen Audi A4 that was parked on Gregory Street.
It is alleged that a search of the stolen Audi revealed approximately 13 key fobs for other vehicles, and a search of the Porsche revealed five cellphones. In addition, Mulkern possessed two stolen credit cards, and Cordero possessed a key fob for the stolen Dodge, which was subsequently located parked on Main Street in Bridgeport.
Mulkern has been detained since December 2. Cordero, who was released after his state arrest, was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on December 15 and is currently released on a $30,000 bond. Mulkern and Cordero are scheduled for arraignment on January 6 at 1 p.m. via videoconference.
The indictment charges Mulkern and Cordero with one count of transportation of a stolen vehicle and one count of possession of a stolen vehicle. Both charges carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Connecticut State Police and the Stratford, Milford, Stonington, Westport, Bridgeport, New Haven, Meriden, and Westerly (R.I.) Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.”