Elderly Woman Seriously Injured during Car Robbery on Post Road East; Three Arrested after Police Pursuit
Westport Police Department
Giovanni Abreu: Robbery in the First Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery in the First Degree, Assault in the First Degree on an Elderly Person, Larceny in the First Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the First Degree, Larceny in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Illegal Transfer of a Firearm, Theft of a Firearm, Engaging Police in Pursuit, and Reckless Driving. Contributed Westport Police Department photoAt approximately 7:00 p.m. on this date, Westport Police officers responded to the parking lot of 1759 Post Road East on a report of the possible theft of a motor vehicle. It was also reported that a person may have been injured during the commission of the crime. Upon arrival, officers determined that a white Hyundai was stolen and that during the theft the owner of the car, a sixty-four-year-old female, suffered a head injury. The victim, who drives for Uber Eats, was picking up an order from Golden Pizza which is located at the above address. Officers believe that while inside the restaurant, the victim observed the suspect enter her unlocked car to steal it, so she went outside to prevent the theft. During this attempt to intervene, the victim suffered the head injury. Officers learned that the person who stole the car was seen getting out of a black car moments before the theft and both cars were last seen traveling together westbound on Post Road East.
An officer who was stationed on the Sherwood Island Connector saw both the stolen Hyundai as well as a black Acura traveling together. Both cars got onto I-95 heading towards Bridgeport. The officer activated his lights and siren in an attempt to get the cars to pull over, but both fled. Due to the severity of the crime, the officer pursued the vehicles. The officer lost sight of the stolen Hyundai but continued to chase the black Acura. The Acura continued on I-95 eventually getting off Exit 29 in Bridgeport. After exiting the highway, the driver lost control and struck an occupied vehicle as well as several parked cars. Two occupants ran from the Acura and the third was detained by the pursuing officer. Bridgeport Police officers were able to quickly apprehend the two people that ran. The Acura that the suspects were in was reported stolen from Hamden, CT earlier today. The car was searched after the arrest and a handgun was located. However, it is not believed that the handgun was used in the commission of the motor vehicle theft at 1759 Post Road East.
An eighteen-year-old male who was identified as Giovanni Abreu as well as two juveniles were taken into custody. All three were charged with the following crimes: Robbery in the First Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery in the First Degree, Assault in the First Degree on an Elderly Person, Larceny in the First Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the First Degree, Larceny in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Illegal Transfer of a Firearm, Theft of a Firearm, Engaging Police in Pursuit, and Reckless Driving.
Mr. Abreu was held in custody on a $100,000.00 bond. Officers are currently completing the necessary paperwork to get the two juveniles transferred to a juvenile detention facility.
The victim in this incident suffered a serious head injury and was transported to Norwalk Hospital for treatment.
This investigation is still very active as we are still looking to recover the stolen Hyundai as well as identify and arrest the person who stole it.
Chief Foti Koskinas was grateful for the hard work of all the officers involved in this incident. He said that their swift actions and teamwork led to the quick arrests of three of the four suspects involved. He also thanked the Fairfield Police Department, Bridgeport Police Department, and the CT State Police for the assistance they provided.
Update: GoFundMe Created for Injured Westport Woman
A GoFundMe has been released for the Westport woman who remains in the ICU due to her injuries from this attack. Click here to donate and learn more.
David Hansell, 79, Died; Air Force Veteran, “what Dave loved most was making people laugh.”
David Hansell, Age 79, passed away peacefully from natural causes in his home in Westport, Connecticut on Thursday, February 10, 2022.
Born on April 9, 1942 and raised in center city Philadelphia, Dave enlisted in the Air Force after graduating from West Catholic High School. From Wyoming to the Philippines, he completed his service honorably and upon discharge entered the Philadelphia Police Department. During this time, he joined the Masonic Temple in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania.
While working as a homicide detective, he met his future wife, Susanne, through mutual friends. They married on August 2nd, 1969. Dave transitioned into corporate security and worked for companies like American Express, Sun Oil, J&L Steel, and LTV Steel where he worked until his retirement. Throughout his career, Dave and Susanne moved from Philadelphia to New York and back to greater Philadelphia settling in their much-loved community of Pine Ridge in Media, where he also became involved in the Danish American Club.
The steel industry brought them to Pittsburgh and Cleveland, Ohio where they lived for many years in Avon Lake and North Olmsted. In retirement, they moved to the Chicago area to be closer to grandchildren, and it was at this time Dave became active in the American Legion in Mundelein, Illinois.
Dave had many passions throughout his life. He loved a good party and even moonlighted as an emcee at a local catering venue for a time. He was a voracious reader and enjoyed biographies, history, and crime stories. He liked going to the movies and playing video games. He was an avid roller skater and competed in pairs dancing events with his partner Linda for many years.
But what Dave loved most was making people laugh. No matter where he went, he was quick to crack a joke or tell a funny story; his humor did not require punchlines.
Dave is survived by his wife Susanne of 52 years, daughter Jennifer (Christopher) Conn, son David (Nora) Hansell, and grandchildren Zachary, Hannah, Sophie and Sally. He is also survived by his brother Ray (Mary Sue) Hansell and sister-in-law Connie Hansell as well as many loving nieces, nephews and extended family. Dave was a loving father, husband, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many. A special thank you to VA Hospital of West Haven, Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County, and his nurse Karen for their care and support. There will be a small service for immediate family members. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to West Catholic Preparatory School, 4501 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19139 or the American Legion Post 867, PO Box 603, Mundelein, IL.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Showers likely, mainly before noon. Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Light south wind becoming southwest 11 to 16 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. West wind 6 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
Tomorrow
A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Showers, mainly before 1am. Low around 37. Southwest wind around 11 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
“Today: We Are All Ukrainian”; Hundreds Attend Westport Rally
Hundreds attended a rally to support Ukrainian families and to condemn the war on their safety and freedom. Supporters lined the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge in a classic scene of Westport strength and unity as adults and children, residents and visitors, constituents and leaders raised their homemade posters, donned golden and blue colors, and shouted Slava Ukraini - Glory to Ukraine - together.
After a collective march up Jesup Road to Jesup Green, the crowds listened to speakers like Senator Richard Blumenthal, Representative Jim Himes, President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of American Jaroslaw Palylyk, and Ukrainian Westporters Stephan Taranko and Mark Yurkiw. A common theme amongst the men was the absolute condemnation of Russia and its actions against Ukraine, including discussions of boycotting all Russian products and businesses serving Russia - such as crude oil, exported goods, and even Coca Cola products.
Despite the hatred that was the catalyst for such a demonstration, the crowd of strangers shared a sense of love through tears and with cheers as one person after another described feelings that are collectively felt by all human beings around the world.
Westporter Stephan Taranko spoke about his own childhood and family history - connecting with every adult and child in the crowd through his words about today and our history. “History is especially cruel when it repeats itself” he said into the microphone before he continued to describe today’s images of war. “I see the young mother with tears streaming down her cheeks trying to get her most precious possession, her baby, onto the train to safety. She does not care for her life, her only concern is for the safety of her child. That image does not fail to bring tears to my eyes and the question ‘chomu?’ - Ukrainian for ‘why?’”
He continued to speak about his mother, and all mothers: “You are amazing.” he exclaimed, “not only did you get each and every one of us into this world, but you nourished and protected us.”
All images by WestportLocal.com. Click on images to expand gallery. 
