Terron Amado

Police nabbed two convicted felons with a loaded, stolen, 45-caliber, semi-automatic handgun on Sedgewick Avenue April 18 after a brief car chase.

Detectives of the narcotics vice and intelligence unit were patrolling the area of Sedgewick Avenue when they observed a gray Acura with dark tinted windows traveling. When police activated the emergency lights and siren on their vehicle, they say the Acura increased its speed in an attempt to elude detectives.

Kai Roacher

The Acura suddenly pulled into the driveway of 560 Sedgewick Ave. where the passenger and operator exited the vehicle. The passenger, Kai Roacher, 32, of Bridgeport, attempted to enter a basement apartment but was apprehended before he could enter the apartment.

The driver, Terron Amado, 29, of Stratford, ran from the area on foot, and before doing so, was reaching under the driver seat as if he was attempting to grab something, according to a police report.

Police set up a perimeter of the neighborhood with assistance of the patrol division. A short time later, Amado was located hiding behind a shed. He was taken into custody without incident.

During a search of the Acura, detectives discovered the handgun with an obliterated serial number.

Amado and Roacher have extensive criminal histories, are both convicted felons and are legally barred from possessing firearms and ammunition. Amado and Roacher were transported to police headquarters, charged with the following and held on separate $500,000 bonds.

Amado was charged with theft of a firearm, altering a serial number on a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, criminal possession of ammunition, interfering with an officer, violations of conditions of release, tinted windows, and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

Roacher was charged with theft of a firearm, altering a serial number on a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, criminal possession of ammunition, and interfering with an officer.

Stratford police arrested a man who, they believe, is responsible for smashing large amounts of glass on Lordship streets as many as fourteen times between March 3 and April 14.

Eugene Gundelach, 60, is residing with his sister on Riverdale Drive in Lordship, and was charged with reckless endangerment, breach of peace and throwing objects from a motor vehicle.

Eugene Gundelach

Stratford Police Captain Paul DosSantos said that investigators identified some of the broken glassware, tracked it to where it was sold, and saw a man on video purchasing the glass.

DosSantos said that an eyewitness picked Gundelach out of an array of photographs.

Most of the smashed glass incidents were on Lordship Boulevard, also known as Burma Road.

Police received no reports of damage from the broken glass.

Stratford police are asking the public to help in their search for a suspect wanted for assaulting an elderly female in the Canaan Road / Weber Avenue area Thursday, May 8, at about 7:15 p.m.

Police report that they believe the suspect is a young black male, thin build, who was wearing a gray hoody-type sweatshirt and dark pants.

The victim was transported to a local hospital where she is being treated and listed in stable condition.

The case is under investigation by the Stratford Police Department Detective Bureau.

No other details were released.

Anyone who may have information about this crime is urged to contact Detective Sergeant David Gugliotti at 203-385-4119. Anonymous information may be left on the Stratford Crime Tip Hotline at 203-375-TIPS (8477) or through the iWatch application available at www.iWatchStratford.com.

Stratford Police arrested Jose Enrique Correa, 24, of Granfield Avenue Bridgeport, CT May 13 on charges of criminal attempt to commit murder, criminal attempt to commit aggravated sexual assault in the first degree, assault in the first degree of an elderly person, unlawful restraint in the first degree, and strangulation in the first degree.

These charges are a result of an investigation into the attack of an 89-year-old female that occurred on Thursday May 8, 2014 on Canaan Road in Stratford. No other details were released.

Jose Enrique Correa

The victim was transported to a local hospital that day where she was treated and listed in stable condition.
Correa was observed by Stratford Police this morning while walking on Granfield Avenue in Bridgeport. He was taken into custody without incident. Correa remained in the custody of the Stratford Police Department, as of 3:30 p.m. May 13.

This investigation remains active, according to police. Anyone with information may contact the Stratford Police Department Investigations Division at 203-385-4119, Stratford Police tips line 203-375-TIPS (8477) or the Stratford Police iwatch mobile application at www.iwatchstratford.com.

Four Stratford businesses were found selling tobacco to minors based on a May 8 inspection by the Stratford Police Department and staff members of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services on May 8.

The inspections are conducted to determine compliance with state laws concerning the prohibition of the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products to minors.

Under the direction of DMHAS investigators with an underage employee of DMHAS entered local establishments and attempted to purchase tobacco products. A total of sixteen (16) unannounced compliance inspections were conducted during the operation.

Any store clerks in violation of state law were issued an infraction at the time of the inspection.

The business found in violation: Lordship Shell at 145 Lordship Boulevard, BP Gas at 265 Boston Avenue, Windsor Package at 3700 Main Street and Citgo at 2980 Main Street.

All other businesses inspected were found to be in compliance.

Construction on the bridge on Whippoorwill Lane will cause some traffic rerouting, but will be safer when completed, officials say.

Detours will be posted on Whippoorwill Lane when reconstruction of a bridge there begins around June 1.

Residents to the east side of the bridge can reach their property via Cutspring Road, those to the west

The reconstruction of a bridge on Whippoorwill Lane will begin around June 1, according to the town. During construction, the road will be closed to through traffic as the bridge will be completely removed in order to construct the new bridge.

Residents on the east and west side of the bridge will access their property on Whippoorwill Lane from Cutspring Road or Main Street Putney, respectively.

A detour route will remain posted throughout the construction period.

The project is expected to be completed this fall.

About the new bridge

The existing double barrel Corrugated Metal Pipe Bridge, now nearly 60 years old, has begun to deteriorate and has been rated in fair condition by the CT Department of Transportation. The bridge will be replaced with a single precast concrete arch structure to carry the road over Pumpkin Brook. The new bridge will have a natural bottom, which will be beneficial to the environment, a decorative stone stamped precast wingwalls and headwalls, a new bridge railing to code, and a wooden style guiderail.

Stratford police advise all to use extreme caution when traveling in this area.

UPDATE, May 29: The man suspected as the driver of a car that engaged police in pursuit on May 27 and crashed before he fled the scene on foot surrendered to police shortly after police had called off their K-9-assisted search.

Police arrested Quron Washington, 18, of Stratford and charged him with: Interfering with an Officer, Reckless Driving, Evading Responsibility, Operating a Motor Vehicle without a license, Engaging Police in Pursuit, and Failure to Wear Seatbelt.

Quron Washington

He was released after posting a $500.00 bond.

ORIGINAL STORY: Stratford Police were looking for a minority male, about age 25, who was wearing a blue shirt and jeans Tuesday afternoon, May 27, about 1:45 p.m. when he ran away from a Chrysler Sebring that he rolled over on Knowlton Street.

Police say that the man did not pull over when they tried to make a routine motor vehicle stop near Barnum Avenue. As the driver tried to get away from police he crashed the car onto the side of the street, near Mohawk Street, and then ran away from the scene on foot.

Stratford Firefighters assisted at the scene of the crash.

Police K-9 units tried unsuccessfully to track and apprehend the male.

The Chrysler Sebring that was involved in a one-car crash on Knowlton Street Tuesday is loaded onto a tow truck. Greg Reilly photo.

Stratford Crime Watch will meet Wednesday, June 4, at 7 p.m., at the Stratford Police station on Longbrook Avenue in the training room.

Anyone with problems or concerns regarding crime should bring their concerns to the meeting. All board members are urged to attend.

Anyone interested in becoming involved in Crime Watch or have problems concerning crime may contact Stratford Crime Watch president Kent Wahlberg at 203-375-3332.

Crime Watch serve the citizens of Stratford. We have house inspections available on request among other services.

For more information: crimewatchofstratford.org.

Updated May 30: Stratford police Capt. Paul DosSantos said today that police identified a man suspected in stealing motorcycles, shortly after releasing a suspect photograph to local media yesterday.

The identity is not being released while the investigation continues.

ORIGINAL STORY: The Stratford Police Department announced on May 29 that it is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the individual in the photograph provided with this story. The man is a suspect in thefts of numerous off-road motorcycles in Stratford, particularly the Clover Park area.

Anyone with information may contact Detective Oliver at 203-381-2098, or may leave a confidential tip at 203-375-8477, or may text the information through IWatchStratford.com.

Stratford Police report receiving several complaints of off-road motorcycle thefts. They say the scheme occurs like this: The seller of the off-road motorcycle posts an advertisement on Craigslist. The perpetrator poses as a buyer and contacts the seller. They schedule a meeting. Unbeknownst to the seller the location is a vacant residence. The seller meets the potential buyer, the buyer takes the off-road motorcycle for a test ride and never returns.

Unidentified motorcycle thief suspect. Stratford Police Department.

At the Memorial Day ceremony on Academy Hill on Monday we were reminded that it is not only military soldiers who risk their lives in defense of fellow countrymen but that firefighters and police also go to work every day knowing they may face a threat on their life.

Police officers wear bulletproof vests when patrolling the streets of Stratford, a constant reminder of life-threatening situations they may face as they turn a corner.
At this year’s annual Stratford Police Department awards and promotions ceremony, Chief Patrick Ridenhour bestowed what he called “a very, very rare honor” upon two members of the department — the medal of valor, the department’s highest award for bravery or heroism above and beyond the highest demands of police service.

On March 19 of this year, Lt. Celeste Robitaille and Officer John Facto responded to a report of a man in possession of multiple weapons threatening his family. When Robitaille and Facto knocked on the door of the home on 2nd Avenue in Lordship, they were greeted by a man holding up a rifle with both hands and cursing at them.

The officers noticed a green-colored laser light activated on the gun and ordered the man to drop the weapon. When the armed man refused, Robitaille forced the door open against him. That action forced the rifle to point downward, and at that point Facto and Robitaille wrestled the weapon away and subdued the man.

Capt. Greg Proudfoot told the award ceremony attendees that the officers could have discharged their weapons to subdue the man and been supported for doing so.
For performing acts of extreme courage while consciously facing imminent self-peril, Robitaille and Facto each received a gold star centered on a red ribbon — the medal of valor.

Awards for outstanding work
Nice officers this year received the Medal for Excellent Arrest of a felon endangering the community at large. To earn the award, protocol says that the arrest shall have been achieved by extreme diligence and professionalism and shall have happened outside the scope of routine response to a crime.

The recipients were Capt. John Popik, Capt. Paul DosSantos, Lt. Frank Eannotti, Lt. Frederick Wilcoxson, Sgt. Robert Rosenbaum, Detective Jonathan Policano, Officer Thomas Clements, K-9 Kahn, and Officer John Facto.

Five officers and one civilian gained official recognition for the successful resolution of a serious incident. They are Sgt. Anthony Rhew, Officer Brian Lindsey, Officer Michael Panton, Officer Christopher Ruskin, Officer Alexis Torres, and civilian Shannel Mejias.

Honorable career citations, given to officers retiring or resigning in good standing, were awarded to Lt. Maurice Scioletti, Detective Louis Capozzi, Detective Albert Puera, Detective David McNeil, Detective Raymond Olivia, Cpl. Roger Miller, Officer Robert Ramos, Officer Evan Sarris, and Officer John Steedly.

Chief’s awards
Ridenhour also offered three Chief’s Recognition Awards, for “people in the community who do a lot to support the mission of Stratford Police Department.” A common element of the three recognitions is the aim to strengthen relations between youths and police.

Lt. Melissa Niemiec was cited for her outreach into the community, her work with schools on security, her work to strengthen the Police Activities League, her work with youth Police Explorers, and her work opening the police substation on Gregory Circle.

The chief said that Niemiec lives by the slogan “If we’re not part of the solution, we’re part of the problem,’ and she regularly responds to the chief’s ideas by saying, “Don’t worry, Chief. I’ve got this.”

Tammy Trojanowski of the town of Stratford’s Social Services Department was recognized by Ridenhour for her work with the police on youth matters, such as liquor sales compliance checks and tobacco sales compliance checks.

Ridenhour offered his “heartfelt appreciation for her help to bridge the gap between the police department and youth.”

Martin Chisholm, owner of the Academy of Self Defense on Paradise Green, works with Stratford police on a Straight Paths program and a youth boxing program — both of which are intended to help youths learn physical skills and life skills and stay out of trouble on the streets.

As Ridenhour said, Chisholm helps to “break down barriers between police and youths, and the town is very lucky to have him.”

Also recognized during the awards and promotion ceremony among family, friends and local dignitaries were four officers for their recent promotions: Lt. Thomas Wrigley, Sgt. James Lofton, Detective Carlos Castro, and Detective Lawrence Overby.

Two officers were officially welcomed as new hires to the department and sworn into office by Town Clerk Susan Pawluk: Officer Michael Dispenza and Officer Anthony Zona.
Ridenhour told the attendees that he considers Stratford Police the finest department in the state, but, he said, “We will not rest on our laurels; we will continue to get better.”

Stratford Police Officer John Facto and Lt. Celeste Robitaille after receiving a Medal of Valor for their actions during an arrest of a man threatening them with a gun. Greg Reilly photo.

There was an armed robbery at Carvel on Barnum Avenue on Tuesday, May 27, and an armed robbery at Lordship Pizza on Stratford Road on Wednesday, May 28, according to Stratford police. No arrests in these cases had been made as of Friday afternoon, May 30.

Suspects in both cases are described as a black male, but Capt. Paul DosSantos said that investigators believe they are not the same person.

In the incident at Carvel, which was reported to at 9:10 p.m. on Tuesday, police report that a lone, black male wearing a black sweatshirt and a ski mask and holding a handgun stole money from the cash register and left heading east on Barnum Avenue.

The Lordship Pizza robbery was reported to police at 4:06 p.m. on Wednesday. Police say that a lone black male displayed a firearm, took money from the cash register and took money from one of the two employees on duty.

Both matters remain under investigation.

Anyone with information may contact Stratford Police at 203-381-4100, or may leave a confidential tip at 203-375-8477, or may text the information through IWatchStratford.com.

Surveillance photo taken while a man with a gun steals money from Carvel on Barnum Avenue May 27.

The week after Stratford Police announced that it would be stepping up enforcement of car seat belt laws, records show that 25 citations were made for failure to wear a seat belt or failure of the driver to make sure a person under 18 was wearing a seat. These citations occurred from May 19 through May 25.

The 2014 Click It or Ticket enforcement is taking place across the nation and, in Stratford, the stepped up program runs through June 1.

Stratford Police Cruiser 2013

Stratford police determined that bones found adjacent to Beaver Dam Lake in Stratford on June 2 about 1 p.m. were of a deer.

Police were called to the scene by landscapers who were trimming the grass and came upon some cloth with bones in and around it.

Sgt. David Gugliotti of the police detective bureau told The Star at the scene that he is 100% sure the bones are from a deer.

Gugliotti said he suspects that someone, perhaps a hunter, discarded a deer carcass there in the cloth.

Bones that Stratford Police determined to be of a deer were found next to Beaver Dam Lake June 2. Greg Reilly photo.

Identity theft

Denise Brodie, 51, of New Haven was arrested on May 15 for stealing gift cards from a Stratford person’s mail back in February and using the cards to make purchases. Brodie was identified with help from video taken at Walmart in East Haven. She was charged with larceny, credit card theft, illegal use of credit card, identity theft, criminal impersonation, forgery, and illegally obtaining goods.

Charles S. Capers, 28, of Stratford, was arrested for using the illegally obtained gift cards with Brodie, and he was charged with larceny, credit card theft, illegal use of credit card, and illegally obtaining goods.

Assault outside a bar

After investigating an alleged assault of a person over 60 years of age and a theft of a wallet outside of a Success Avenue bar in April, police arrested Edward C. Hrostek, 31, of Stratford on May 14 and charged him with robbery and assault.

Bad driving, drug arrest

Police say that Jason C. Voss, 40, of Bridgeport drive through a police blockade of an accident scene in Stratford on May 17. Voss told police he had not been drinking, but he failed a field sobriety test, according to police. In Voss’s car police found a green plant substance broken up into large and small baggies. They charged Voss with failure to bring a motor vehicle to a stop, operating under the influence failure to drive in proper lane, failure to renew a license, operating an unregistered vehicle, and possession of drugs with intent to sell.

Bad driving, drug arrest

After pulling over a car driven by Edward White, 31, of Stratford, for a routine traffic violation on May 16 police noticed White was attempting to hide a white powdery substance, which was suspected to be cocaine. Police arrested White for illegal possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Alleged selling of drugs

As a result of a search warrant police obtained after investigating numerous complaints of suspected drug activity on Taft Street, police arrested three Stratford men on May 20. Brent Baker, 53; John Williams 19; and Marcus Williams 23; were charged with illegal distribution of narcotics and illegal possession of drugs near a school. John Williams was charged additionally with interfering with an officer.

A gun and heroin

Stratford Police Narcotics Vice and Intelligence unit obtained search and arrest warrants for a residence of Tony E. Felton, 29, in Bridgeport after investigating alleged drug sales in Stratford. The investigation and search turned up a gun and heroin, and led to Ansonia where police took Felton into custody on May 22. Police charged Felton with carrying a gun without a permit and in a motor vehicle, criminal possession of a stolen firearm, and distribution of controlled substance within 1500 feet of a school.

Break-in suspect caught

Police responded to an alarm at Bones Kart Shop on May 24 where they found a broken window and Agustin Ramos, 35, of Bridgeport on the premises with small pieces of glass on his person, according to a police report. Ramos was charged with burglary, possession of burglar’s tools, criminal trespass and criminal mischief.

Tinted windows, drug arrest

On May 21 when a patrolling police officer spotted a sedan with tinted windows that prevented seeing inside the vehicle, they followed the car and pulled it over where Honeyspot meets I-95. Police say they detected the odor of marijuana and found 23 small ziplock bags of marijuana. Police arrested the driver of the vehicle, Vernay Snow, 20, of Stratford and charged her with failure to use turn signal, illegal operation with window tints, illegal possession of drugs, illegal possession of drugs near a school, and possession of drugs with intent to sell.

The week after Stratford Police announced that it would be stepping up enforcement car seat belt laws, records show that 25 citations were made for failure to wear a seat belt or failure of the driver to make sure a person under 18 was wearing a seat belt. These citations occurred from May 19 through May 25.

The 2014 Click It or Ticket enforcement is taking place across the nation and, in Stratford, the stepped up program ran through June 1.

There was an armed robbery at Carvel on Barnum Avenue on Tuesday, May 27, and an armed robbery at Lordship Pizza on Stratford Road on Wednesday, May 28, according to Stratford police. No arrests in these cases had been made as of Wednesday morning, June 4.

The suspect in each cases is described as a black male, but Capt. Paul DosSantos said that investigators believe they are not the same person.

In the incident at Carvel, which was reported to at 9:10 p.m. on Tuesday, police report that a lone, black male wearing a black sweatshirt and a ski mask and holding a handgun stole money from the cash register and left heading east on Barnum Avenue.

The Lordship Pizza robbery was reported to police at 4:06 p.m. on Wednesday. Police say that a lone black male displayed a firearm, took money from the cash register and took money from one of the two employees on duty.

Both matters remain under investigation.

Anyone with information may contact Stratford Police at 203-381-4100, or may leave a confidential tip at 203-375-8477, or may text the information through IWatchStratford.com.

Saturday, 12:50 p.m.: A boat has caught fire in the mouth of the Housatonic River.

Firefighters are en route.

Other boats are spraying the burning vessel, according to doingitlocal.com.

More details will be posted as they become available.

The mother of a Stratford Academy Johnson House student, Lisa Marie Miguel, 44, of Stratford was arrested on Friday, June 6, after her child brought what police call “a simulated hand grenade” to school for a show-and-tell lesson, a stay-put order was placed on the school, and some students were evacuated from their classrooms.

Connecticut State Police Bomb squad, which was called to the Johnson House school by Stratford Police, reported that “the simulated hand grenade could combust and cause damage to property and persons within a 15 to 20 foot radius,” according to a police report.

Local police charged Miguel with reckless endangerment, possession of an explosive device and risk of injury to a minor.

The incident arose when Miguel’s 12 year old son brought the hand grenade to school for a lesson regarding World War II. According to Stratford Police Capt. Paul DosSantos the teacher alerted a school administrator immediately upon observing the item, and the administrator immediately removed the item and placed it outside the school building in a courtyard.

All students located in classrooms near the courtyard were evacuated from their classrooms to the auditorium, and the ‘stay put’ was initiated at the until the item was safely removed from the property, DosSantos said.

The state bomb technician safely removed the simulated hand grenade from the area to properly dispose the item.

Miguel reported to police that the simulated hand grenade was given to her by her deceased father as a gift from his military days. When her son told her about the World War II ‘show and tell’ lesson at school Miguel gave the simulated grenade to her son to bring to school. Police say that Miguel thought the grenade was a dud.

Armed robbery

Police made two arrests on May 29 related to an incident on May 8 in which three males allegedly approached a parked car on Columbus Place, displayed a handgun and stole two wallets and two phones from the victims. Marquess Coleman, 19, of Stratford and Daishaun Murphy, 19, of Stratford were charged with first degree robbery (which applies when a weapon is used), larceny, breach of peace, and threatening. A third suspect is under investigation.

Heroin and seat belt

Police on the lookout for drug sales in the area of Honeyspot and Anderson roads resulted in the two paroled prisoners being returned to jail. Police say they observed a car parked on Anderson, on May 30, where a male left the car as another male came and got into the car. Then the male who had left returned and the male who had gotten in the car left. Police say this is activity common during drug transactions. When the car pulled away police pulled it over for an apparent seat belt violation. More suspicious activity led to police discovering pure rock heroin and the arrest of parolee and convicted felon Luis Orriola, 27, of Stratford and parolee Anthony Arbelo, 22, of Bridgeport. Both men were immediately returned to the Department of Corrections.

Pot and parked cars

Four cars parked together and occupied at the Birdseye boat ramp were approached by a police officer on normal patrol on May 30. Police say there was no sign of any boating activity. After detecting an aroma of marijuana and questioning the car occupants police arrested Robert Hofmiller, 20, of Stratford who, according to police, voluntarily revealed marijuana and narcotics in his backpack. Hofmiller was charged with illegal sale of prescription drugs, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Family dispute

A brother and sister involved in a domestic dispute were arrested on June 1 and charged with assault. According to a police report Sherri Ann Birch, 59, of Stratford sliced her brother’s arm and she said her brother slapped her. She was charged with assault in the second degree and disorderly conduct. The brother, Christopher J. Barker, 56, of Stratford was charged with assault in the third degree.

Hazardous driving

Police charged Allon Guglielmoni, 20, of Stratford with hazardous driving at a construction or utility work zone and operating a vehicle with a suspended license on May 27 after he allegedly approached a zone with signs and cones at a high rate of speed.

Licensing your dog is the law in the State of Connecticut, and June is the time to do it.

There are some reasons to license your dog besides obeying the law, according to Stratford Town Clerk Susan Pawluk. “If your dog should become lost, the license tag number can easily identify your dog and get him back to you quickly and safely,” said Pawluk. “We have had many instances when the Animal Control officer or concerned people have found a lost or roaming dog. They can simply call our office to help locate the owner by the license tag number. We have had people from other Towns who had found a dog and called our office because they were able to tell by the license tag that the dog was from Stratford. Those phone calls are rewarding when we can reunite a dog with its owner.”

Rabies prevention is a strong component of the dog licensing process, said the town clerk, and State law also requires that all licensed dogs are properly vaccinated for rabies. A dog with a license tag is an advertisement that the animal is protected against rabies.

To make the licensing process easier, the Town of Stratford now offers dog license renewal online. People may go to TownOfStratford.com, Things to Know, Renew your dog’s license online. The online feature is for renewals only with a current rabies vaccination on file. There is a $1.75 service fee applied for each dog.

All new dogs to the licensing system and dogs that need to present their updated rabies certificate may license by mail or in person at the Town Clerk’s office. Renewing by mail requires the renewal notice, the updated rabies certificate form, a check made payable to the Town of Stratford for the proper amount indicated on your renewal form, and a self-addressed stamped envelope, so the town can promptly return the new license tag and rabies certificate.

An automatic late fee is applied for those dogs not licensed in the month of June.

Those with questions may call the Town Clerk’s office at 203-385-4020 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

At Town Hall on June 6 to get their annual dog licenses were Stratford Police Officers Rachel Crosby with her K-9 Bravo, Chris Goode with his K-9 Gunny and Tom Clements with his K-9 Khan. Connecticut state law calls for all dogs to be licensed or have their license to be renewed during the month of June.