Police: One Arrested for DUI after Outpost Pizza Accident
Archived photo by Dave Matlow for WestportLocal.com. June 27th, 2021. One person has been arrested for operating under the influence of drugs/alcohol and failure to keep their lane after an accident that heavily damaged Outpost Pizza at 333 Main Street in the early morning hours of June 27th. The accident rendered the new business closed for several weeks, and still continues to face construction during pandemic related construction delays. Click here to read the original article on the accident.
Westport Police DepartmentThe truck was visibly noted as heavily damaged after it was towed to a nearby mechanic yard. June 27th, 2021. On June 27, 2021, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Westport Police officers responded to 333 Main Street on a report of a car accident. Upon arrival, the officers saw that a pick-up truck had crashed into the Outpost Pizza Restaurant. There was significant damage to both the exterior and interior of the building. The operator of the vehicle was identified as Jacob Teto. The investigating officer reported that Mr. Teto exhibited signs of intoxication which included slurred speech as well as blood shot eyes. He was ultimately transported to the hospital for treatment of what appeared to be minor injuries.
Given that investigating officer suspected that Mr. Teto was driving his pick-up truck under the influence of alcohol, he applied for and was granted a search and seizure warrant to obtain Mr. Teto’s blood alcohol content for the time frame in which the accident occurred. The results of the toxicology report showed that his blood alcohol content was above the legal limit. Based upon the officer’s observations the morning of the accident as well as the results of the toxicology report, an arrest warrant for Mr. Teto’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.
On the evening of September 27, 2021, Mr. Teto turned himself in at the Westport Police Department. Per the warrant, he was charged with Operating Under the Influence of Drugs/Alcohol and Failure to Drive in the Proper Lane. Mr. Teto was released after posting a $1000.00 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on October 6, 2021.
Westport Police Chief and Deputy Chief to Retire this Thursday; Both Remaining On Staff to Train Top Brass
Town of Westport Personnel Director Ralph ChetcutiFirst Selectman Jim Marpe announced today that effective September 30, 2021, Police Chief Foti Koskinas and Deputy Police Chief Sam Arciola will retire from the Westport Police Department (WPD) and simultaneously be retained under contract to continue serving as Police Chief and Deputy Police Chief for the Town of Westport.
Mr. Marpe stated, “In order to assure continuity of leadership in the WPD, and to further prepare the Department for their ultimate departure, Chief Koskinas will enter into a three (3) year employment contract and Deputy Chief Arciola will be retained under a similar agreement until December 31, 2022.”
“Chief Koskinas has been eligible to retire with full benefits since July, 2021 and Deputy Chief Arciola became eligible in 2016. Chief Koskinas made me aware of his intention to retire in August of this year, while Deputy Chief Arciola made that decision more recently,” Marpe noted. “It was agreed that at this sensitive time in the evolution of police accountability and responsibilities at the national and local levels, that a full change in leadership of the department would create a disruption that could have a negative effect on the Westport community as well as the successful operation of our Police services.”
“The members of the WPD leadership team are well on their way to stepping into the Chief and Deputy Chief roles but they require additional time to develop the full range of skills and community relationships to be successful as the department’s senior leaders. In that context, Chief Koskinas and Deputy Chief Arciola offered to remain in their roles under employment contracts. This arrangement will be beneficial for Westport from a position of continuity of leadership as well as from a financial standpoint.”
Together, Chief Koskinas and Deputy Chief Arciola have more than 56 years of experience on the WPD. Chief Koskinas started his career in January, 1996, and Deputy Chief Arciola began in May, 1990. They were promoted to their current positions upon the retirement of former Police Chief Dale Call in 2016. Mr. Marpe said, “While there may have been an option to hire interim chiefs, we would immediately lose the depth of knowledge, experience and relationships that Foti and Sam possess while potential successors are being prepared to assume the roles. This would be a major loss to the Town.”
Mr. Marpe added, “I want to thank Foti and Sam for their service and sacrifice during their longstanding tenures in the WPD. I also appreciate their understanding of the needs of the Town and their fellow police officers that allows for this mutually agreeable arrangement for them to remain in their leadership roles. They continually demonstrate the highest standards of public service and dedication to our community.”
Chief Koskinas stated, “I am honored and humbled to have had the opportunity to work with and for the Town of Westport. Aside from my family, the last 27 years have been some of the most exciting and gratifying times of my life while serving and working alongside members of this community. I am confident that we will have continued successes as we navigate through some difficult times in our country, and certainly in law enforcement.”,
Koskinas continued, “Over the last couple of years, and even more recently, there have been other incredible opportunities presented to me in both the private and public sectors. However, I never pictured or imagined myself wearing a uniform other than that of the Westport Police Department. I sincerely look forward to the opportunity to continue serving Westport for another three years.”
Superintendent Provides Update on Anti-Semitic/Racist Incident Allegations during Football Game
From Superintendent Thomas ScariceDear Westport Families and Staff,
I would like to provide the community with an update related to the allegations of antisemitic and racist incidents Friday evening at the high school football game between Cheshire High School and Staples High School.
As the community is aware, there were allegations made on social media Friday evening including: antisemitic and racist comments made in the stands, the presence of a Confederate flag, and the waving of an Israeli flag. School administrators and law enforcement from both Cheshire and Westport immediately commenced investigations.
Because of the rise in reports of antisemitic and racist incidents, we also immediately sought input from the Anti-Defamation League office in Connecticut. ADL works with schools and law enforcement to help ensure incidents are addressed appropriately.
The Cheshire Public Schools administration and the Cheshire Police Department have been most collaborative and in constant communication with our administration and police department, sharing information and supporting each other’s investigation. We are most grateful for this cooperation.
Today, we were informed by Cheshire Superintendent, Jeff Solan and Chief of Police, Neil Dryfe, that their investigation has determined that the Israeli flag was not intended to intimidate Jewish people or motivated by antisemitism. Police reports indicate that the students who brought and waved the flag are Jewish and have shared that they brought the flag to the game because it was a school spirit “Red, White & Blue Nite” in the student section.
At this point in the ongoing investigation - which includes the review of photos, video, and interviews with numerous students, staff, and police officers – there is no corroborating evidence to substantiate the presence of a Confederate flag.
Additionally, we were informed by the Cheshire Superintendent and Police Chief that when Staples High School cheerleaders observed students in the stands waving an Israeli flag, and made a complaint to a Cheshire Police Officer; the officer informed the Cheshire High School Administration and an administrator directed the students holding the Israeli flag to put it away. Fortunately the use of police body cams have confirmed this finding.
That said, the Westport Public Schools is fully committed to finishing our investigation by speaking with every student or community member personally impacted by these events. We will listen to each first person eyewitness account of these events and will reserve actions before concluding our investigation. Receiving this information from our Cheshire colleagues is helpful, yet we must fulfill our obligations to listen to each and every account. The administration will continue these efforts and provide ongoing updates to the community.
It is critical that the community understands the level of transparency and thoroughness that we have taken.
The Westport Public Schools, and ADL, along with the Cheshire Public Schools, remain committed to fighting antisemitism and racism in any form and remain united in that effort. School administrators will be available to discuss this situation with any students who wish to do so. We are continuing to gather facts from eyewitnesses, so please allow us the time needed to fully assess what occurred and determine the appropriate response. Please contact us if you have relevant information.
Respectfully,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent
Westport Public Schools
Former Westport Lifeguard Arrested Again; Charged with Stalking at Compo just Years after Hundreds of Voyeurism Counts
The Westport Police Department announced today that Michael Collins, a former head lifeguard at Westport’s Burying Hill Beach, was arrested Thursday for stalking after an incident in August - when he was found to be taking pictures of women at Compo Beach. A disconcerting announcement, as Collins was arrested on hundreds of counts of voyeurism at Burying Hill just a few years ago.
In 2016, Collins was arrested on over 400 counts of voyeurism after he placed hidden recording cameras inside of clocks at the Burying Hill Beach lifeguard shack throughout the summer of 2015. The cameras captured female coworkers undressing and moving about the shack. He was also reported as taking photos of women on the beach using a long-range camera. He then took the photos, printed them, and posted them to his bedroom wall.
After the Westport Police Department’s 2015 investigation of his home and electronic devices, he was charged with 431 counts each of voyeurism, 431 counts of eavesdropping, and one third-degree count of possession of child pornography.
In 2017 at the Stamford Superior Court, he was able to escape a jail sentence - instead being given a 10-year suspended jail sentence and five years of probation by Judge Richard Comerford in state Superior Court in Stamford, according to the Stamford Advocate. He plead guilty to five counts of voyeurism, with the child pornography charge unable to be substantiated in court, according to a State’s attorney. He was also mandated to not contact any of his former Westport lifeguard coworkers for five years - while one coworker took out a 30-year restraining order against the former supervisor. (Stamford Advocate)
Collins was released yesterday on $10,000 bond and is scheduled for his arraignment next Thursday, September 30th, at Stamford Superior Court.
Westport Police Department, September 24th, 2021On August 25, 2021, at approximately 7:00 p.m., two females came to the Westport Police Department to report a suspicious incident that occurred at Compo Beach earlier in the day. They said that about 1:45 p.m. they observed a male in a silver Jeep watching and taking pictures of them as they swam and sunbathed. The complainants said that the male’s behavior was making them uncomfortable, so they left the area and walked towards a nearby restaurant. As they were walking, the person driving the Jeep allegedly drove past the females at least eight more times and was purportedly staring at the two as he did so. One of the complainants took a picture of the Jeep’s license plate and turned it over to the investigating officer. Using that information, Michael Collins was developed as a suspect. The officer reportedly obtained evidence leading him to believe that Mr. Collins was the person operating the vehicle that repeatedly drove past the females.
Based upon the investigation, a warrant for Mr. Collin’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.
On the afternoon of September 23, 2021, Mr. Collins turned himself in at the Westport Police Department. Per the warrant, he was charged with two counts of Stalking in the Third Degree. Mr. Collins was released after posting a $10,000.00 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on September 30, 2021.