Former Westport Therapist Arrested Again for Drug Charges; Released on $50,000 Bond
May 2021 Westport Police Department Photo Westport Police Department Former Westport Therapist and Staples Peer Advisors leader Michael Newman found himself at Westport Police Headquarters again this week after being arrested on the following drug charges: two counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of narcotics. Newman was arrested in May on possession of child pornography charges and was released on $250,000 bond. This week he was released on $50,000 bond and will be expected at Stamford Superior Court on Tuesday. Click here to read the May 24th story on his original arrest.
On May 19, 2021, Westport Police detectives were executing a search warrant at the office of Michael Newman pursuant to an investigation they were conducting. During the search, prescription medication that was reportedly not prescribed to Mr. Newman as well a suspected cocaine was seen in plain view. The purported contraband was seized.
The investigating detective had probable cause to believe that Mr. Newman was illegally in possession of the above narcotics. Therefore, a warrant for his arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.
On the afternoon of August 9, 2021, Mr. Newman turned himself in at the Westport Police Department. Per the warrant, he was charged with two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance as well as Possession of Narcotics. Mr. Newman was released after posting a $50,000.00 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on Tuesday, August 24, 2021.
Westport Missing Person: Tammy Lynn McQuillan, Hillspoint Area
UPDATE
The Westport Police Department continues to diligently search for Tammy McQuillan. We are asking for residents to check their surveillance and doorbell cameras for anyone matching McQuillan’s description between the hours of 8:00pm Saturday and 8:00am Sunday. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to call the Police Department at 203-341-6000.
On August 8, 2021 at approximately 12:00pm, Westport Police took a report of a missing person from Hillspoint Road. Tammy Lynn McQuillan, age 51, is believed to have walked away from her home sometime after eight o’clock yesterday evening and we are concerned for her wellbeing.
McQuillan is approximately 5’8” tall and 300-350 lbs. with dark hair. She has been entered as a Missing Person.
Anyone with information that can help locate McQuillan is urged to call the Westport Police Department at 203-341-6000.
Midnight Car Accident Closes Easton Road, Sends One Car into Forest and Police Looking for Driver
The BMW SUV sits alongside Easton Road after it lost control, rolling into the forest. WestportLocal.com photoJust before 12:30 this morning, first responders were dispatched to the area of Easton Road and Brooklawn Drive for the report of the motor vehicle accident with automatic rollover detection - about 500 feet south of Westport Fire Department’s Coleytown House.
A Westport EMS crew was dispatched for the report of a possible injured driver in the midnight car accident. WestportLocal.com photo First responders and neighbors quickly found the vehicle, a BMW SUV, stuck down a steep embankment alongside the Route 136 sidewalk - but could not locate the driver. After a short search in the nearby neighborhood, Westport Police officers were able to locate the driver and have them evaluated by Westport EMS. The driver was not transported by the EMS team, and remained on scene.
Reports from the scene describe the vehicle as possibly travelling north on Easton Road before it lost control - destroying a concrete bridge structure over Silver Brook before the vehicle came to a rest in the nearby forest.
A neighbor described the loud sound piercing the quiet night, causing them to head to the street to see what had happened. No word on what caused the accident has been released.
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 DirectorThe 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 ReleaseOn 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.
Tires, Rims Stolen from Car at Westport Railroad Station; Police Investigating
A vehicle was reported yesterday as having its wheels and rims stolen from it, with the car being found balancing on top of small rocks. The vehicle was parked in Westport Railroad Station’s Lot 3, which is off of Ferry Lane, and parked near the collection of rental vehicles owned by a nearby company. The Westport Police Department said that they received the report yesterday of the theft, and that it’s currently under investigation. Photo by JD. Dworkow for WestportLocal.com.
One Arrested for Friday Night DUI After Striking Vehicle, then a Stone Wall on Cross Highway
Westport Police Department ReleaseOn June 18, 2021, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Westport Police officers responded to the area of 153 Compo Road North on a report that a vehicle struck a stone wall. No injuries were reported. The operator of the car was identified as Dakota Saddler. In speaking with witnesses, they stated that Mr. Saddler allegedly struck a vehicle while making a right-hand turn onto Cross Highway from North Avenue and evaded the scene. He purportedly continued traveling westbound on Cross Highway and his car became disabled after striking the stone wall.
Click here to expand release.
When the investigating officer approached Mr. Saddler, he reportedly could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Mr. Saddler’s breath. Additionally, Mr. Saddler purportedly had glassy/watery eyes, slurred speech, and was swaying back and forth while trying to stand. Based on these indicators of possible intoxication, he was given a standardized field sobriety test which indicated signs of impairment.
Mr. Saddler was placed under arrest and charged with Operating Under the Influence of Drugs/Alcohol, Evading Responsibility, and Failure to Drive in the Proper Lane. He was released after posting a $1,000.00 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at Stamford Superior Court the morning of Friday, July 2, 2021.
Westport Police: Deaths of Mother and 7 Year Old Daughter Ruled a Homicide-Suicide
Westport Police Press Release
The adult female who was found deceased in the home at 1 Lyndale Park has been positively identified as forty-six-year-old Tracy Do. The deceased juvenile also resided at the above address and is Ms. Do’s daughter.
On June 18, 2021, the two deceased individuals were brought to the State Medical Examiner’s office in Farmington to be autopsied. The Medical Examiner determined that the seven-year-old had drowned and ruled her death a homicide. The Medical Examiner ruled Ms. Do’s death a suicide. The Westport Police Detective Bureau along with the State Police Western District Major Crimes Unit continue to investigate the facts and circumstances related to these two deaths.
Chief Koskinas stated that “this is a horrible tragedy, and the police department is keeping the family as well as the community that was so deeply affected by this in our thoughts and prayers.”
At this time, we are not releasing any further information related to this case.