BUSTED! Westport Police Make Arrest In Sunday Carjacking
On Tuesday members of Westport PD's Detective Bureau arrested a 16 year old juvenile in connection with the carjacking that occurred on Sunday September 16th. Westport Detectives, as part of the Bridgeport Auto Theft Task Force on Monday executed a search warrant of a residence in Berlin, CT.
Based on information obtained by the Westport Detective Bureau, a warrant to search a residence in Berlin, CT was secured. On September 18, 2023, the warrant was executed by members of the Bridgeport Auto Theft Task Force, of which Westport is a member, along with members of Berlin Police Department. During this search four stolen motor vehicles were recovered, one of which was the Aston Martin taken during the carjacking (above, center).
A 2021 BMW 530i that was stolen from Westport on September 16 and used in the carjacking was also located during the search (above, right). Finally, a BMW stolen from Ridgefield (above, right) and a Porsche stolen from Rhode Island (below, right) were also recovered. Twenty-nine-year-old Derek McGill, (above, left) who lives at the home where the stolen cars were found, was placed under arrest by the Bridgeport Auto Theft Task Force but does not currently have charges pending in Westport. He is being held on a $250,000 bond and has been charged with the following crimes: Larceny of Motor Vehicle 1st Degree (4 Counts), Conspiracy to Commit Larceny of Motor Vehicle 1st (1 Count), Payment Card Theft (1 Count). Illegal Operation of a Chop Shop (1 Count), Conspiracy to Commit Illegal Operation of a Chop Shop (1 Count
A second search warrant was also executed today.
According to Westport PD Lt. Eric Woods:
On September 19, 2023, Westport Police Detectives, the Connecticut State Police Violent Crime Task Force, and members of the Waterbury Police Department executed a second search warrant on a residence in Waterbury, CT. A handgun with an extended magazine was seized. A sixteen-year-old juvenile who resides in the home was arrested by Westport police after evidence linking him to the carjacking was uncovered. He was charged with the following crimes: Strangulation 1st Degree, Robbery by Carjacking, Burglary 1st Degree, Criminal Attempt to Commit Larceny of Motor Vehicle 1st Degree, Assault 3rd Degree. After conversation with juvenile prosecutors, an additional charge of home invasion has been filed against the 16 year old juvenile.
Contributed photos supplied by Westport Police.
Home Invasion/Car Jacking On Bayberry Lane On Sunday Under Investigation By Westport Police
The assault and car jacking was captured by homeowner’s video camera.
A Bayberry Lane homeowner got the shock of his life after pulling his Aston Martin into his garage when two individuals entered his garage and began the terrifying assault which was captured on the homeowners video camera. Video of the event was released to the media by Westport Police.
Westport PD Press Release On Sunday 9.17.23:
On Sunday, September 17, 2023 at approximately 3:50 PM Westport Police responded to a residential burglary and carjacking on Bayberry Lane. The complainant reported that as they returned home and pulled into their garage, two (2) suspects entered the garage. The suspects assaulted the complainant while they were seated in the vehicle and subsequently stole their blue Aston Martin after forcibly removing the victim. It is believed that the suspects arrived at the residence in a dark blue BMW, as this vehicle was seen fleeing with the stolen vehicle. The complaint suffered minor injuries as a result of the assault but declined medical attention. Broadcast messages were sent to neighboring towns and Connecticut State Police. Both of these vehicles were reported to be last seen traveling north on Route 8. The Westport Police Detective Bureau is currently investigating and anyone with information is asked to contact us at (203)341-6080.
It is believed that our victim was targeted and followed back to their residence. Therefore, Westport Police are encouraging residents to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious behavior to 911.
WPD Update on Monday 9.18.23:
There have been no significant developments in the investigation as of this writing. The Aston Martin has not been recovered and there have been no arrests. The dark blue BMW that was involved was later reported stolen from Norwalk..
Westport police to host public forum on this and Car theft issuesI.
n an additional Press Release on Monday by Westport PD, the department announced it will be hosting a forum on public safety do to the seriousness of this incident and the number of vehicle thefts in town over the last 18 months or even earlier.
WPD Press Release:
In collaboration with First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker, the Westport Police Department will host a Public Forum on Public Safety as it relates to car thefts, vehicle break-ins and the recent carjacking incident. The event will take place on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Westport Town Hall Auditorium, 110 Myrtle Avenue.
Police Chief Foti Koskinas will lead a discussion focusing on the safety concerns voiced by members of our community. Chief Koskinas and members of the command staff will present the ongoing work of the Regional Auto Theft Task Force that was formed due to the increased car thefts and vehicle break-ins in the area. Special attention will be given to police practices that are utilized to combat the theft of vehicles. The forum will provide information and instructions to increase situational awareness and help our community avoid being victims of these crimes.
We hope to see everyone Wednesday at this important and informative meeting.
Not The Electric Slide, This Will Be The Lateral Slide
The bridge replacement on I-95 over Saugatuck Avenue is proceeding along on time.
The much needed bridge replacement on I-95 over Saugatuck Avenue is being done using the highly efficient technique of Slide-in bridge construction (SIBC), more commonly known as "lateral slide". This is one of several Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) technologies being promoted by the FHWA Every Day Counts program. For those who don’t remember, the Electric Slide was all the rage a few years back. This slide offers a more substantial benefit.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Information on this project is available at www.i95norwalkwestport.com. https://www.i95norwalkwestport.com/
Ironworkers from union local 424 and local 15 work in the blazing sun recently with temperatures in the mid 90ºs and feel-like temps over 100. It wasn't easy for Larry, Bernie, Shai, Willie and John on a day like this, but they did their jobs as they do whatever the weather might be.
Connecticut has received many millions of dollars for infrastructure improvements:
CT has been the recipient of major federal funding for this and other major infrastructure projects. WesportLocalPress spoke with Josh Morgan, CT DOT spokesperson who told us, "Billions of dollars in Federal funds for Connecticut are going towards improving our infrastructure, helping grow the economy, connecting communities, and creating safe and accessible passageways for more people. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform our state and make it safer and more accessible for everyone. As a result of this funding, we are doing more projects than ever before and accelerating existing projects so they can be completed sooner. These investments would not be possible without the support of Connecticut’s Congressional Delegation, who championed this bill, and Governor Lamont and the state legislature, who have provided us with the matching state funds to leverage new federal grant opportunities. The Federal infrastructure law is making a difference in Connecticut."
To see what slide-in bridge construction looks like you can go to a similar bridge replacement project ins Southington from several years ago: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAAMx0W-7S8
As you will see quite often on union construction jobs, workers insure the Amercian flag takes a prominent position on the jobsite.
The bridge replacement is on schedule to be completed next month over the course of two weekends. This will result in weekend lane closures on both the northbound and southbound sides of I-95. While the roadway will remain open, CT DOT is advising motorists to avoid the area during the weekend work. Details about the date and time of lane closures and alternate routes will be published in advance of the work beginning.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
There are several informative websites to learn about how CT is improving the roads and bridges we drive on day and night.
Morgan further provided additional information and links to see just what is being accomplished to improve the entire state of Connecticut's infrastructure, which has significantly increased use by more and heavier vehicles in recent years.
Morgan's DOT Info:
Here is a link to our end of year Infrastructure Law press release that highlights projects and provides a lot of numbers:https://portal.ct.gov/DOT/CTDOT-Press-Releases/2022/CTDOT-Highlights-Investments-in-First-Year-of-Infrastructure-Law/. Please note, Commissioner Giulietti has since retired and our current Commissioner is Garrett Eucalitto. Also please note, that release came out two weeks before we were alerted that we received a $158 million Federal grant, which was part of a new program created by the Infrastructure Law:https://portal.ct.gov/DOT/CTDOT-Press-Releases/2022/Federal-Infrastructure-Grant-for-Gold-Star-Memorial-Bridge-Rehabilitation.
Here is link to a map we have that shows projects and funding type, including the Infrastructure Law:https://ctdot.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/52e9ba95ad914e34b149966420e9db08.
On that map, there are multiple projects happening in the same area, so if you click on part of 95 for the Norwalk/Westport job, you may have to click through some arrows to get it. And here is a map that shows all active projects in the state: https://connecticut-ctdot.opendata.arcgis.com/apps/497d9f93de1247378faceff72434b8a6/explore. Same note as before with the arrows to move around projects that overlap.
Blessing All Creatures Great And Small; Buddhist Blessing Of The Animals
Ani Lobsang Tendrol, a nun placed a wrapped object called a a Compassion Sutra on the animal's head and Prayers are placed on the head as a transmission to the animal. Next, monk Lobsang Nyima sprinkles blessed water with a peacock feather. The monks will also bless photos, either print or phone pics.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
On Saturday the monks of the Do Ngak Kunphen Ling Tibetan Buddhist Center for Universal Peace (DNKL) in Redding held their annual Blessing Of The Animals at the Center on Putnam Park Rd., Redding which began more than a decade ago.
There are various Animal Blessings held each year in Fairfield County but none are quite like the Buddhist blessing in Redding which has been held for more than a decade. While you will see many dos and the occasional kitty at the others, the DNKL Blessing it is not unusual to see horses, like the Icelandic ponies pictured here. They are from Farm Jibe-iT nearby, which also brought several of their goats to be blessed, including one of their "Yoga goats" (Google Goat Yoga) which has been know to jump on the back of the farm's ponies. It is not unusual to see a kitty-size carrier and upon looking more closely, seeing a large white rat or other such creature. All are welcome here!
About 70-80 people ore more attend each year to seek the blessing from the monks, waiting patiently in line, passing under the Tibetan prayer flags. Tibetan prayer flags are used to promote peace, wisdom, and compassion. The bright cloth flags are printed with auspicious symbols, invocations, prayers, and mantras. Tibetans believe that the prayers will be spread by the wind, bringing goodwill and auspiciousness to all beings. Buddhist are well known for their love of and compassion for all living things including animals which is a part of what makes this such a special event to many visitors each year.
When they pet parents reached the front of the line Ani Lobsang Tendrol, a nun placed a wrapped object called a a Compassion Sutra is placed on the animal's head and Prayers are placed on the head as a transmission to the animal. Next, monk Lobsang Nyima sprinkles blessed water with a peacock feather. The monks will also bless photos, either print or phone pics.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Above, left this pet Dad brought his Briard and his GoldenDoodle for their blessings.
The names of the monks & nun above from left to right are: Lobsang Nyima, Geshe Nawang Kalsong, Geshe Lobsang Dhargey (Main Teacher at DNKL). and Ani Lobsang Tendrol (Nun).
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Following this the monks and nun recite a series of prayers in Tibetan and then in English.
One of those prayers says in part:
Please always bestow fortune and blessing to these animals,
and always be their protectors and saviors.
Always conquer their enemies, and always bestow liberation on them-
Liberate them from illness, untimely death, negative karma and the chain of suffering
and liberate them from the miserable circumstances that lack leisure and opportunity.
About the animal blessing
The objective of the blessing is to imprint seeds of happiness for the animals so they have a successful rebirth. They receive oral transmissions from the mantra's that are recited for health and success in the next life. Mantra's are words that comprise and symbolize a multitude of meanings and prayers that not only help in this life but in future lives. The Compassion Sutra is touched to their head and this transmission of compassion and the blessed water is considered to extend hope for the animal for miracles in a future life.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
About the Do Ngak Kunphen Ling Center
Visitors are welcome at the Center at 30 Putnam Park Rd., Redding, a half hour north of Westport on either Rout 53 or Route 58, both beautiful designated as CT Scenic Roads. DNKL promotes peaceful living through teachings, study, meditation and community service. Its unique program integrates the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism with stewardship of its historic New England landscape. DNKL follows the spiritual tradition and lineage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The Dalai Lama visited CT in 2012 as a joint collaboration between DNKL and Western Ct State University. Due to his Holiness' age he is not traveling outside of India, and we do not expect another in-person visit.
Located in the former home and estate of UNICEF founding director Maurice Pate and former Sweet Briar College president Martha Lucas Pate, the center is dedicated to benefit and serve others. Do Ngak Kunphen Ling (DNKL) is located on 100 acres of meadows and woods, with rock lined stream that feeds two ponds, a prayer wheel, stone bridge and a charming farmhouse all contributing to a stunning landscape. The name Do Ngak Kunphen Ling literally means The Place of Sutra and Tantra for the Benefit of All.
Under the direction of Geshe Lobsang Dhargey and the other resident monks, we provide basic classes on Buddhist philosophy and meditation along with more advanced systematic studies. Most of the classes are non-secular based. The courses and activities encourage a more compassionate daily life, new insights into the reality of our existence and the transformation of negative emotions, thoughts and actions.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
DNKL hosts and contributes to public talks, spiritual festivals, interfaith dialogues, and events with families and community organizations to promote compassion and the wisdom found in Buddhist teachings. DNKL also engages in humanitarian activities, such as assisting Tibetan monks and children with basic education and health needs.
Next Year’s Event:
A Tibetan Cultural Event is being held next year to run in conjunction with the Blessing Of The Animals on September 14, 2024 For this event they will not only have the animal blessing but will also have food, Tibetan dance and crafts.