One Arrested for Compo Beach Area Car Break-ins and Thefts in October, November

On November 30, 2021, the Westport Police took multiple reports of motor vehicle burglaries as well as a report of a stolen car.  These incidents occurred during the early morning hours in the Compo Beach section of town.  On December 2, 2020, a party identified as Christopher Mulkern as well as a second male were arrested by the Stratford, CT police.  At the time of this arrest, the two men were reportedly found to be in possession of a piece property that was stolen during one of the above-mentioned motor vehicle burglaries.  Additionally, during the course of the investigation, a cell phone which purportedly belonged to Mr. Mulkern was recovered.  The phone was searched pursuant to a search and seizure warrant.  An examination of the device reportedly revealed additional evidence linking Mr. Mulkern and his accomplice to these crimes.  Further, there was a video as well as pictures on the phone which purportedly tied the two men to the theft of a motor vehicle which occurred in Westport on October 6, 2020.

Based upon the investigation, a warrant for Mr. Mulkern’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court judge.  

On the morning of July 28, 2021, Mr. Mulkern was arrested by Westport detectives.  Per the warrant, he was charged with five counts of Burglary in the Third Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary in the Third Degree, Larceny in the First Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the First Degree, Larceny in the Fifth Degree, and four counts of Larceny in the Sixth Degree.  Mr. Mulkern was held on a $200,000.00 bond and was arraigned at Stamford Superior Court later that same day.

Westport Police Department, Stop and Shop, Announce Food Drive on Saturday

Westport Police Department Release

The Westport Police Department, in conjunction with the local Super Stop & Shop, will be hosting a food drive on Saturday July 31, 2021, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  All donations will directly support Homes with Hope, the Gillespie Center Homeless Shelter, and the Gillespie Center’s food pantry. Your donations will help to provide meals to the Gillespie Center’s residents, those who are at risk of homelessness, and community members in need.  We ask for your support and generosity to help make this food drive a success.  

Homes with Hope is a Westport based organization that for the last thirty-seven years has been dedicated to ending homelessness in Fairfield County by creating independent living opportunities for its clients. The Gillespie Center is a homeless shelter for single men and women that typically operates at 100% capacity. Your donations will help provide meals to those who this organization serves. 

Westport Police officers and volunteers will accept non-perishable food items as well as cash donations in front of the Super Stop & Shop grocery store, which is located at 1790 Post Road East, Westport, CT on Saturday, July 31, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Suggested Items to Donate: 

Canned Meats, Tuna, Salmon, Spam, Pasta, Pasta Sauces, Chili, Hot/Cold Cereal, Canned Fruit, Canned & Dry Soups, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Mac & Cheese, Rice, Granola Bars, Pancake Mix, Syrup, and Mayonnaise

If you would like to more information about Homes with Hope, please go to: www.hwhct.org  

Homes with Hope maintains an IRS 501-c3 status, so all contributions are tax deductible. 

We would like to take a moment to thank Super Stop & Shop for hosting this food drive as well as all the generous donors who continue to support the important work of Homes with Hope.

Selectman’s Office Releases Financial Analysis of Police Department’s Tesla Model 3

From Sara Harris, Selectman’s Office Operations Director

The Town has received a report generated by the EV Club of CT providing a financial analysis of the Westport Police Department’s Tesla Model 3.  In December 2019, the Westport Police purchased a Tesla Model 3, fully customized it for law enforcement, and put it into service in February 2020 as a pilot program. This first-in-the-nation Tesla Model 3 squad car is being celebrated for exceeding performance, cost savings and environmental benefits estimates.

Police Chief Foti Koskinas said, “What initially attracted us to the Tesla was how it compared to our traditional fleet vehicles in terms of performance, 5-star crash ratings, and collision avoidance technology. While the Police Department has been using plug-in hybrids for parking enforcement for several years now, this was the first fully electric car to be used in active duty. We needed to confirm our estimates on things like mileage per charge and how the vehicle would stand up overall in the challenging environment of police work. And of course, we were tracking expenses. The purchase price of the Tesla was higher than the Ford Explorer, but we hypothesized that we’d recoup that expense in lower fueling and maintenance costs for the Tesla.”

According to First Selectman Jim Marpe, “Westport is leading the way with electric vehicles and charging stations.  Our town government is also leading on the municipal front.  The decisions to invest in electric vehicles and infrastructure are strategic, data-driven, and smart. I applaud our forward-looking police department and the partnership of the department and the EV club. This is part of how Westport will meet its commitment to being net-zero by 2050.”

Charles Sampson of the Westport Police, who managed this project stated, “Feedback from the public has been overwhelmingly positive. We’ve have been contacted by at least 50 other police departments – from all over the world – with questions about our experience. I know many of them have gone on to purchase Teslas for their fleets.”

Barry Kresch, President of the EV Club of CT said, “I offered to do this analysis for the police because it is a such a visible and tangible proof point that EVs can be cost-effective, and that the decision by the Westport Police to move forward with the Tesla Model 3 pilot was financially, as well as environmentally, sound. The presentation I built for them visually demonstrates the economic case for using EVs in public sector fleets."

Westport Man Arrested on Sexual Assault and other Charges involving a Minor; Posted Half-Million Dollar Bond

Westport Police Department Release

On March 29, 2021, the Westport Police Detective Bureau took a report of a possible sexual assault which purportedly occurred at a Westport residence.  The victim, who is a minor, was living with a relative in Westport.  Christopher Austin also lived in the home.  The victim alleged that Mr. Austin entered her bedroom and touched her inappropriately.  

The detective assigned to the case conducted an extensive investigation that included multiple interviews as well as the execution of a search warrant.  Based upon the results of the investigation, a warrant for Mr. Austin’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.

On the morning of July 15, 2021, Mr. Austin turned himself in at the Westport Police Department.  Per the warrant, he was charged with Risk of Injury to a Child, Sexual Assault in the Fourth Degree, and Tampering with Physical Evidence.  Mr. Austin posted the $500,000.00 bond and is schedule to be arraigned at Stamford Superior Court the morning of Wednesday, July 28, 2021.