UPDATE: Westport Police Civilian Review Board on Agenda at Public Safety Meeting POSTPONED to March 1.
This meeting was postponed to March 1. No explanation was given regarding the sudden postponement of the meeting.
A discussion on a police civilian review board will take place tonight on Zoom at 7:00 PM. The meeting will be held by the RTM Public Protection committee, and will discuss the proposal made by Westporter Jason Stiber to counter First Selectman Jim Marpe’s plan of a similar panel.
Agenda:
To discuss and vote to recommend to the full RTM on the following: A proposed ordinance by Jason Stiber to create a Civilian Review Board as oversight for the Westport Police Department. The purpose of such a board would be to investigate citizen complaints against members of the Westport Police Department. To also participate in hiring decisions for officers of the WPD, and to receive and make recommendations for service awards for officers of the WPD.
Philadelphia Man Arrested on Westport Computer Hacking
Press ReleaseOn September 4, 2020 at approximately 10:26 a.m., a Westport Police detective responded to a local business that was reporting a possible computer crime. The complainant alleged that a former employee “hacked” into their computer system and made some modifications to their website. Furthermore, the day after the initial police report was filed the company advised that they were the victim of ransomware and as a result, they were unable to access their work files.
The detective, after an extensive investigation, developed Yigitali Ercan as a suspect and it was confirmed that he is in fact a former employee of the company in question. Mr. Ercan was interviewed and denied altering the business’s website and locking them out of their files. Based upon the investigation, an arrest warrant was drafted and then signed by a Superior Court Judge.
On the afternoon of February 9, 2021, Mr. Ercan turned himself in at the Westport Police Department in connection with this active warrant. Per the warrant, he was charged with Computer Crime in the Second Degree. Mr. Ercan was released after posting a $75,000.00 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned on the morning of March 1, 2021 at Norwalk Superior Court.
“When the victim did not comply, the men began to rifle through her pockets.“ 3 Escape after Attempted Robbery Tonight
Press ReleaseOn February 14, 2021 at approximately 6:30 p.m. Westport Police officers responded to Walgreens which is located at 880 Post Road East on a report of an attempted robbery.
The victim stated that she had just finished purchasing some items at the store and as she was about to enter her vehicle - a Toyota Rav 4, which had been reported stolen from the city of Norwalk earlier today, backed into the parking space next to her car. Two black males exited the Toyota, approached the victim, and threatened to harm her if she did not turn over her keys and other personal property. When the victim did not comply, the men began to rifle through her pockets.
Unable to locate her keys or any other items of value the suspects fled the scene and were last seen heading towards I-95. However, just prior to the suspects departing, a third male exited Walgreens and entered the car. Fortunately, the victim did not sustain any injuries.
All three suspects were reported to be black males, wearing black clothing, and Covid-19 style face masks.
The Westport Police continue to actively investigate this incident.
19 Year Old Arrested; Released on $100,000 Bond for April Child Pornography Case
Press Release On April 4, 2020, the Westport Police Department received information that a town resident was possibly downloading child pornography onto his computer. The Sergeant investigating the matter was able to determine that the IP address of the computer being utilized to download the suspected images did in fact come back to a home in Westport.
A search warrant was then applied for and granted to search the computers and electronic devices at the address in question. During the execution of the search warrant, one of the residents, Sam Gold, allegedly tampered with some of the devices that the investigating detectives were attempting to inspect. During an examination of the devices that were seized, suspected images of child pornography allegedly downloaded by Sam Gold were located. Based upon the investigation, an arrest warrant was applied for and granted by a Superior Court Judge.
On the morning of February 6, 2021, Mr. Gold turned himself in at the Westport Police Department in connection with this active warrant. Per the warrant, he was charged with Possession of Child Pornography in the Second Degree, Tampering with Evidence, Interfering with a Search, and Interfering with an Officer. Mr. Gold was released after posting a $100,000.00 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned on the morning of February 9, 2021 at Norwalk Superior Court.