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.
One Arrested for Westport Car Tire Thefts
Photo by JD Dworkow, July 7th. Westport Police DepartmentBetween July 6, 2021, and July 7, 2021, Westport Police officers took two separate reports of tires and rims being stolen off vehicles. The first incident occurred at the Saugatuck Train Station on July 6 at approximately 3:00 p.m. The second tire/rim theft occurred at the parking garage located at 21 Wilton Road on July 7 between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
As a result of informational sharing with area police departments that experienced similar crimes Shawn Oliphant was developed as a suspect. Evidence linking Mr. Oliphant to the two larcenies was reportedly obtained by the detective assigned to this case.
Based upon the investigation, a warrant for Mr. Oliphant’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.
On the morning of September 16, 2021, Mr. Oliphant was arrested by a Westport Police detective. Per the warrant, he was charged with Larceny in the Third Degree and Larceny in the Fourth Degree. Mr. Oliphant was held on a $50,000 bond and arraigned later that same day at Stamford Superior Court.
Westport Police Join Motor Vehicle Theft Task Force
The Westport Police Department will be taking part in a regional motor vehicle theft task force. Westport and its surrounding communities experience car thefts as well as vehicle break-ins on a regular basis. These crimes are often committed by juveniles and/or young adults.
This task force is a collaboration between local law enforcement agencies to combat the proliferation of auto theft in the Fairfield County Region. The task force will work in cooperation with other police departments to develop a comprehensive effort to deter auto theft and arrest those responsible. In addition to Westport, the other police departments participating in the task force include Bridgeport, Fairfield, Stratford, Monroe, and Newtown.
Police Chief Foti Koskinas felt that it was important for Westport to be a part of this effort. He stated that “by sharing resources and information with other communities that are also experiencing a large number of motor vehicle thefts our ability to solve these crimes increases exponentially.” He added that “while the theft of cars may seem like a youthful indiscretion to some it is important to keep in mind that these stolen vehicles are often used in the commission of very serious crimes such as robberies and shootings.”
In almost every case, the stolen vehicle was unlocked with the keys (key fob) inside. Therefore, even with the assistance of a task force and extra officers on patrol we will never be able to truly solve this problem unless people remember to always keep their cars locked.
Man Arrested after Threatening Woman with Knife Downtown Today; Held on $250,000 Bond
Westport Police DepartmentAt approximately 11:14am on the morning of September 12, 2021, the Westport Police Department’s emergency dispatch center was contacted by a couple who were the victims of an alleged robbery attempt that occurred on the Ruth Cohen Steinkraus Post Road Bridge. At nearly the same time the caller’s husband flagged down a patrol officer who was driving by.
It was reported that a male party had approached the couple quickly from behind. The suspect then began walking in step with the male victim at which time he told the couple to bring him to their car. He repeated the demand as he allegedly brandished a knife and threatening the female. The female then darted across the Post Road evading cars in order to escape. Her husband followed at which time the suspect then fled the area walking eastbound towards Jesup Road. Fortunately, neither of the victims were injured.
The victims were able to provide a detailed description of the suspect which was relayed to all of the responding officers. Patrol units began to saturate the area from all directions in an effort to locate the suspect. While officers were searching the area a member of the Westport Fire Department advised that he had seen a suspect fitting the descriptors in the area of 302 Post Road East. Officers were on scene within moments and located an individual who fit the description provided by the victims. The suspect was then identified as James S Cummings, age 41, of Bridgeport, CT. Cummings matched all of the physical descriptors provided and was then detained by officers where a knife was then located on his person. The victims purportedly identified Cummings as the individual who accosted them on the bridge.
Cummings was placed under arrest and charged with Attempt to Commit Robbery in the 1st Degree, Attempt at Larceny in the 3rd Degree, Carrying a Dangerous Weapon, and Threatening in the 2nd Degree. He is currently being held on a $250,000 bond.
In response to the events that unfolded today Police Chief Foti Koskinas stated “I am extremely proud of all the officers who assisted with this incident. The high level of skill and teamwork they exhibited led to the quick apprehension of the suspect. Additionally, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Westport Fire Department for their assistance.”
Cummings had been out on bond at the time of this incident stemming from an arrest that occurred on September 5, 2021, in which he was charged with Sexual Assault in the 4th Degree (2 Counts), Threatening in the 2nd Degree, Attempt to Commit Assault in the 3rd Degree, and Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree.
Four Cars Stolen, Compo Home Burglarized Overnight
Westport Police Department officials released that four vehicles were stolen, several were ransacked, and one Compo neighborhood home was burglarized early this morning.
While investigating, two more vehicles - one from the north side of Westport, and the other from another community - were found parked on the road, with all belongings taken out of them. Both were found to have also been stolen, ransacked, and then left behind.
The owner of two of the stolen vehicles reported that they were unlocked in the driveway with the keys in them. The other two vehicles were stolen after their key fobs were taken from the unlocked home during the burglary. Officers and canines attempted to locate the suspects, but the tracks went unfounded.
“All residents must make it a point to keep their homes and cars locked at all times.” police department officials stated.
Westport Police Department Statement: At approximately 6:10 a.m. on August 20, 2021, Westport Police officers responded to a residence in the Compo Beach section of town on a report of a burglary. It was determined that one or more individuals entered the unlocked home and stole a purse as well as the key fobs for two separate vehicles. Those vehicles were then stolen.
As the officers were checking the area, they located an unoccupied Jeep as well as an unoccupied Toyota 4Runner near the home that was burglarized. It was immediately determined that both vehicles were stolen. The Jeep was taken from a home on the north side of Westport and the 4Runner was stolen in another jurisdiction. Given that it appeared that the two cars had recently been driven, the officers set up a perimeter and began looking for the suspects. With the assistance of a Westport Police K-9, the area was thoroughly searched, but the responsible parties were not located.
During the investigation, officers followed up with the owner of the Jeep. The owner advised that in addition to the Jeep, a Toyota Highlander was also taken from his driveway. He stated that both cars were unlocked with the keys inside.
In total, four cars were stolen, and a home was burglarized during today’s early morning hours. Additionally, officers have responded to several locations on reports of unlocked vehicles being entered.
These crimes are being actively investigated.
The Westport Police Department has said it before, but it certainly bears repeating. All residents must make it a point to keep their homes and cars locked at all times. That will go a long way towards preventing these types of crimes from occurring.
Lieutenant Governor Promotes Vision Zero in Westport, Pushing to End Pedestrian Fatalities
(L-R) First Selectman Jim Marpe, (behind) State Senator Will Haskell, State Representative Stephanie Thomas, Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas, Westport Deputy Police Chief Sam Arciola, Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce President Matt Mandell, and State Representative Jonathan Steinberg. WWCC Contributed photoConnecticut Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewitz was downtown today to promote the State’s new Vision Zero movement . “Zero” refers to the hopeful number of pedestrians who are killed by motor vehicles in the State under the new legislation, especially while crossing streets such as Post Road - known as one of the most deadly pedestrian corridors in the State. (click here to read more)
H.B. No. 5429 began in January after being introduced by the House Transportation Committee, and was signed by Governor Ned Lamont in June. The bill outlined items such as an increase in fines for distracted driving or driving in a way that impedes pedestrians or bicyclists, or supporting the use of automated traffic enforcement devices within school zones or work zones.
The State also announced the release of a virtual meeting of the Vision Zero Council, with Garrett Eucalitto, CTDOT Deputy Commissioner and Vision Zero Council Chair saying: “By bringing diverse perspectives together on the Vision Zero Council and engaging with and listening to the concerns of the public and safety stakeholders, we can better shape our approach to making Connecticut’s transportation system safer for all users.” Members of the public can register for the online meeting here.
Westport PBA Car Show Postponed until Next Saturday
The Car Cruise scheduled for Saturday, August 14, 2021, has been cancelled due to weather related concerns. It has been moved to Saturday, August 21, 2021. Same time and location.
Original release
The Westport Police Benevolent Association (PBA) is hosting their third annual Car Cruise this coming Saturday (August 14, 2021) from 4:00 pm-8:00 pm in Lot #1 at the Saugatuck Train Station. Cars of all years, makes, and models are welcome. The fee to enter and display a car is $20.00. The first one hundred cars to arrive will receive a gift bag.
This family event will feature music, as well as food provided by JR’s Food Truck and Micallizi’s Italian Ice.
The Westport PBA is a charitable organization which donates money to many worthwhile causes such as the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, Special Olympics, and Veterans and Families of Fallen Officers.
Trophies will be awarded and of course lots of raffle prizes to win! Please come out this Saturday to support the Westport PBA.
The rain date for this event is Saturday, August 21, 2021. Same time and location.