Aug. 7 11:20 a.m. Stratford Police arrested two employees of the Stratford’s Department of Public Works on Aug. 6 on charges of allegedly selling narcotics and prescription drugs while on the job or while on town property, according to Captain John Popik.
Patrick Ambrose, 38, of Stratford was charged with five counts of illegal narcotics sales and four counts of sales within 1,500 feet of a school.
Todd Whitlock, 37, of Milford was charged with four counts of illegal narcotics sales and one count of illegally supplying prescription drugs.
According to two sources, one of the arrested men works in DPW’s highway department and the other in DPW’s sanitation / recycling department.
In addition to criminal charges both men could face internal disciplinary action, according to Popik.
Mayor John Harkins issued the following statement through the police department: “There is a zero tolerance policy with regard to illegal drug use by town employees. My administration will continue to push for rigorous drug testing programs in the interest of public safety. I commend the police department for their excellent work in this case, and look forward to the final results of the continuing investigation.”
The investigation by the Stratford Police Narcotics, Vice and Intelligence Unit is ongoing, and more arrests are possible, according to Popik.
A press conference is set for noon Aug. 7 at police headquarters.
An unmarked police car in front of Stratford Public Words Thursday morning Aug. 6, the day after police arrested two DPW workers on drug sale charges. Greg Reilly photo.