Judge Awarded Bullet And Stab Resistant Vest

Officer William Maio’s K-9 partner, JUDGE will receive a bullet and stab protective vest after a nationwide Groupon Event raised over $155,000 in eight days. The organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc sponsored the event. This is a Grassroots effort to outfit police K-9s with
bullet and stab protective vests. Police Departments had to submit an application to receive one of the vests purchased with the donations.

Pictured above are Officer Maio and his K-9 partner, JUDGE. This is the Police Department’s newest K-9 team. Judge will be receiving the vest soon, as the department has received confirmation that we have been selected.

President, Sandy Marcal began working with law enforcement agencies in 2000 to coordinate efforts between various law enforcement agencies, vest sponsorships, fundraising events and the media within Massachusetts. In 2011, efforts were expanded to assist police dogs throughout the United States.

New website to view police activity in Middletown

The Middletown Police Department is utilizing a website called RAIDSonline.com which is a crime mapping service. This website is free of charge to anyone who wishes to use it. This website provides access to the police department’s calls for service going back to July of 2011. The information can be viewed on a map of the city or in the form of a list. The information can be customized to meet the individual person’s needs.

The exact location of the crime is not posted to protect the victims, the crimes are mapped in the area of the crime (within the 100 block).

There is a link to the website. This can be accessed by going to cityofmiddletownpolice.com. The link is located on the right hand side of the screen “raids online.”

Address/Location

Middletown Police Department

222 Main Street

Middletown, CT 06457

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 860-347-2541  

Large Turnout Of City Workers For Mayor's Police Chief Announcement

(Video from Darrell Lucas)

Mayor Dan Drew formally announced that he is nominating Acting Chief William McKenna to be our city's permanent police chief. He made the announcement in a Council Chambers filled to overflowing with Directors, Chiefs, Council members, city employees, and the family of McKenna. All had come to express their enthusiastic support for the nomination.

Middletown Police Officers Receive Awards

From the Middletown Police Department
---------------
Lieutenant Sean Moriarty

On June 16, 2011 Lt. Moriarty received the Outstanding Service Award from the Middletown Fire Department.

The award stems from an incident on October 30, 2009. The Middletown Police Department was looking for a suicidal/missing person in the the woods near Villa St. The missing person was located in the Coginchaug River in waist deep water clinging to a branch to prevent the current from carrying him down the river. Lt. Leary from the fire department entered the river and brought the missing person to the water’s edge. Lt. Moriarty and Fire Fighter Lespier helped pull the missing person out of the water.

Lt. Lear, FF Canaveri, FF Lespier and and Lt. Moriarty were all given a citation for Outstanding Service Award.

Sergeant Richard Davis

Sgt. Davis received Connecticut’s Finest award presented by the Connecticut District Exchange Clubs, the “Seventeenth Annual Salute to Connecticut’s Finest” award on May 26, 2011 for his commitment to law enforcement. Sgt. Davis is in charge of the Middletown Police Department’s Street Crime Unit dealing with quality of life issues as well as high risk narcotics investigations. He is the narcotic canine handler of K-9 “Rika”. The K-9 is used to detect concealed narcotics on people or in buildings, vehicles or other locations.

Sgt. Davis is also the Commander of the Middletown Police Department’s Marine/Dive Team. He oversees the operations of the team which includes boating enforcement, evidence recovery in bodies of water and scuba/dive operations.

Sgt. Davis is the Commander of the Crisis/Hostage Negotiator Team. Trained in critical incidents, responsible of incident command and resolving or assisting in high threat situations involving barricaded suspects and hostage situations.

Sgt. Davis is one of the certified child passenger safety seat technicians reaching out to the public to install and instruct the public as to properly installing child car seats ensuring the safety of young children.

Sgt. Davis is a participant in the Special Olympics fund raisers such as the Law Enforcement Torch Run, Penguin Plunge and Tip-a-cop.

Officer Lee Buller SRO

Officer Buller received a Certificate of Appreciation by the Middletown High School VoAg Program. Buller serviced as a School Resource Officer this past school year at the Middletown High School. In addition to his SRO duties he also assisted the VoAg program. Officer Buller has a background in natural resources and interest in animals that has made him a tremendous supporter of the program. Among other contributions, he provided his expertise, equipment and time to lead two fishing field trips in the Natural Resources Classes. Ofc. Buller was one of four recipients of a Certificate of Appreciation presented May 31,2011 at an awards ceremony.

A New Sergeant In Town

From the Middletown Police Department
----------------
Detective Brian Hubbs has been promoted to Sergeant in the Police Force. Dubbs started out his law enforcement career with the Plainville Police Department in November of 1998 leaving there as a corporal to take a position with the Middletown Police Department in March of 2005. Detective Hubbs has a Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement Science from the University of New Haven.

His career started in patrol, and he later became a member of the Quality of Life Task Force Impact Squad. Detective Hubbs was then assigned to our Street Crime Unit investigating narcotics violations and other quality of life violations. Detective Hubbs was a member of the Mayor’s Code Enforcement Team and a member of the North End Action Team.

For the past year Detective Hubbs has been assigned to the Statewide Narcotics Task Force working undercover with federal, state and local agencies. Most recently he has been assigned to our Professional Standards Division doing background checks on prospective police candidates.

Detective Hubbs is also a member of our Emergency Response Team as an Entry Team Member.

During Detective Hubbs’ career he has worked closely with the community providing training and education on various police related topics.

Detective Hubbs has received multiple Meritorious Unit Citations and Letters of Commendation during his career with the Middletown Police Department. Detective Hubbs received a Certificate of Recognition from the United States Attorney’s Office for his work on a case involving narcotics and weapons (U.S. vs. Slutzkin). He has also been a recipient of the Chief’s Award for all of his hard work and dedication to the Special Olympics. Detective Hubbs is a Special Olympics Town Captain and has organized fund raising events including, the Penguin Plunge, Special Olympics Torch Run and Tip-A-Cop.

After a promotional exam including, a written test, oral board and chief’s interview. Detective Hubbs came out number one on the list. Acting Chief Patrick McMahon recommended the promotion to Mayor Sebastian Giuliano.

Police Officers Cleared in Taser Death

The Middletown Police Department has announced in a press release that the death of a suspect in police custody last May was not a result of criminal or unreasonable police actions. This is the finding of an investigation by the Connecticut State Police, whose report was reviewed by Middlesex County State’s Attorney, Timothy Liston.

On May 24, 2010, Efrain Carrion struggled with officers, tried to choke a police dog, and attempted to flee. Carrion died after being tasered multiple times.

Siren Song ?

Hearing a siren when I am driving always sends me into high alert and looking to see if there is any fire or police vehicle approaching that I need to get out of the way for. When I am sitting at home with the windows open and I hear a siren, I might sometimes think, "hmm, I wonder what happened?" but then go back to whatever I was doing. I may tune out the sound and think not much of it. I might not even register a siren sound at all if I am absorbed in something at home.

Tonight, starting around 7pm or so, I heard what really seemed like siren after siren after siren. I imagine that many of my neighbors and people in various neighborhoods all around town must have heard the sirens. (did you? or am I losing my mind?) I felt that it was alarming enough to me that at 9pm, after what seemed to me like 2 hours of intermittent yet nonstop sirens, I called the Desk Sergeant / non-emergency number at the police station to ask if there was anything in particular going on. The response there was that it's nothing more than a very busy night. I subscribe to the Middletown alerts on Nixle, so I would like to think that if there was something major happening I may have been informed that way. I figured a quick phone call couldn't hurt though.

The last few days have been the first extremely hot days in a while, and its only a gut instinct but I feel like I hear more sirens generally when the weather gets into the unbearable range of hotness. Now, at 9:30 pm its still very hot (75 degrees if you believe Weather Underground which updates every minute, or 87 degrees if you believe the National Weather Service USWX, last updated just before 9pm). In any case the sirens seemed to have died down and I am very glad to hear (or not hear) that.

Photo courtesy of the Middletown Police Department website

Middletown Cops Zap Crime

Fast action and professional precision shown by Middletown police this evening on the south end of High Street. Since the recent mail box chemical bomb, reported first by the Eye, patrols have appeared to have increased in the neighborhood. This evening at approximately 7pm a screaming white male suspect armed with a knife was seen running down the center of High Street dodging cars heading towards the south end of town. Shortly after a police officer, armed with a taser came only a couple of strides behind the suspect and tried repeatedly to verbally get the armed individual to stop; when this failed, the suspect was tased. The individual instantaneously fell to the ground, and appeared to suffer injury.
Immediately, rescue units appeared, statements were taken, and the bloody street disinfected,all in tandem like a well synchronized dance. Everything went back to normal in about 20 minutes.

Around Middletown in 80 Days - Day 79

Middletown Police Department

Phileas is trying to clear his name. Detective Fix believes our friend Fogg is a bank robber and has contacted the Middletown Police Department...Phileas' image has been in the roll since September. Even Middletown's finest have had their eyes peeled for Phileas.

Come out to Oddfellows tonight and catch Phileas yourself - by catching the preview performance of "Around the World in 80 Days" at 7pm. It is a pay-what-you-can preview - and make sure you bring a canned good or non-perishable food item for Amazing Grace Food Pantry. Will our intrepid traveler escape Detective Fix? You'll have to see for yourself.

Skeletal Remains Found Near Plaza Drive

From the Middletown Police Department

The Middletown Police Department is currently investigating an incident in which skeletal remains were discovered in a wooded area on Plaza Dr near the intersection of Washington St.

On 10/13/09 at approximately 2:32pm Middletown Police received a report that a passerby had discovered skeletal remains in a wooded section near Plaza Dr. Patrol officers responded to the scene and confirmed the fact that there were skeletal remains at this location, at which time Detectives from the Middletown Police Departments Investigative Service were contacted and responded.

At this time the incident is being investigated as suspicious and Middletown Police Detectives are working in conjunction with the Connecticut State Police Major Crimes Unit.

Further information will be obtained once the Medical Examiners Office conducts their investigation.

Middletown Police Detectives are requesting that if anyone has information regarding this incident please contact the Middletown Police Department @ 344-3200.

Drug Bust on Rapallo

From the Middletown Police Department

On 09/22/2009 The Street Crime Unit with the assistance of the Detective Division and the Patrol Division executed a Search Warrant at 15 Rapallo Ave 2^nd floor West. We had been receiving numerous complaints concerning this address from concerned citizens that reside in the area.

Upon entry into the residence the target of our investigation was in the residence holding his small infant child. The suspect, Andre Rich D.O.B. 11/09/1975, was being investigated for selling narcotics in the cities north end. Also in the residence were two other children that lived in the residence with Rich. After conducting a search of the apartment the Street Crime Unit located suspected crack cocaine along with a small amount of suspected marijuana.

Rich was arrested for the narcotic charges as well as Risk of Injury to Children. The charges are as follows;

• Possession of Narcotics
• Possession of Narcotics With Intent to Sell
• Possession of Narcotics 1500ft of a School Zone
• Risk of Injury (3 counts)
• Possession of Marijuana
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Andre Rich was transported to Middletown Police headquarters where he was processed and held on a $300,000.00 Dollar Surety Bond with a court date of 10/06/2009.

Any citizen willing to give information concerning possible illegal activities is encouraged to contact Sergeant Chris Lavoie of the Street Crime Unit at 344-3259. All information will remain anonymous.

Officers Bitten By Dog In Drug Raid; House Condemned

From the Middletown Police Department

On Friday night, The Street Crime Unit with the assistance of the Emergency Response Team, the Detective Division and the Patrol Division executed a Search Warrant #89 Grand Street second floor east. We had been receiving numerous complaints concerning this address from concerned citizens that reside in the area.

After initiating an investigation into the residence we acquired a Search Warrant for the apartment. In the month of April the Street Crime Unit had executed a Search Warrant where a pistol as well as a substantial amount of narcotics had been recovered. Recently, this address had reported a home invasion where guns were involved. This case is still being investigated by the Detective Bureau.

Due to the recent rash of violence that had occurred at this residence the Middletown Police E.R.T. Team was called to execute the Search Warrant. During entry, E.R.T. utilized diversionary devices to distract any suspects that were inside the residence. Once inside the apartment two officers were bitten by a canine. The officers suffered minor injuries and declined medical treatment.

The City of Middletown’s Health Department was called to the scene to evaluate the living conditions of the home. When they arrived it was decided by the Health Department to condemn both the first and second floor of the residence.

When the residence was secured the Street Crime Unit arrested two suspects for minor drug charges, Jessica Murphy, 27 for possession of drug paraphenalia and Keshawn Tyler, 23 for possesion of marijuana.

Third Suspect Arrested In Store Robbery

From the Middletown Police Department

The Middletown Police Department has made a third arrest with the July 18^th armed robbery, which occurred at the M Mart located at 221 Newfield St.

Investigative efforts by both the Middletown Police Department’s Investigative Services Unit and the Department’s Street Crimes Unit led to the arrest Willie Jenkins, age 27 of Cromwell, who was arrested on August 19^th.

Jenkins was charged with Robbery , Aiding in the Commission of Robbery and Conspiracy to Commit Robbery . Jenkins was presented at Middlesex Superior Court on August 19^th and held on a $200,000.00 court set bond.

Jenkins was identified as the “getaway driver” during this incident, in which two other suspects John Conley, age 22 of Hartford and Quincy Tyler, age 26 of East Hartford ( both are presently in custody) are alleged to have displayed a handgun and pointed it at the male attendant at the M Mart store. The suspects demanded money and cigarettes; however they were interrupted by a male customer who entered the store. Both the attendant and the male customer were held at gunpoint, while another female customer was held in a headlock and forced to the ground. The suspects then left the store with the money and cigarettes.

The Middletown Police Department is anticipating no further arrests in this case.

Heroin Bust on Liberty Street

From the Middletown Police Department:

On 08/10/2009 The Street Crime Unit with the assistance of the Detective Division and the Patrol Division executed a Search Warrant at 34 Liberty Street First floor. We had been receiving numerous complaints concerning this address from concerned citizens that reside in the area.

After initiating an investigation into the residence we acquired a Search Warrant for the apartment and for Rivas, Wanda D.O.B. 08/03/1980, who was the target of our investigation. We had received information that she was partnered with an unknown Hispanic male who was later detained and arrested within the apartment, he was identified as Juan Cordona D.O.B 06/04/79. Allegedly the two were selling Heroin within the area of the cities nothend. The estimated street value of the suspected Heroin is approx $320.00 Dollars

Upon gaining entry into the residence the Street Crime Unit encountered four small children. They were later turned over to the suspect’s mother who resides in New Britain and DCF was notified.

Below is a list of the arrested suspects.

Wanda Rivas D.O.B. 08/03/1970

• Possession of Heroin
• Possession of Heroin WITH INTENT TO SELL
  
• Possession of Heroin WITH INTENT TO SELL1500ft School Zone
• Risk of Injury
• Possession Marijuana
• Possession Drug Paraphernalia

Rivas is being held on a $150,000.00 Dollar Surety Bond

Juan Cardona D.O.B. 06/04/79

• Possession of Heroin
• Possession of Heroin With Intent To Sell
  
• Possession of Heroin With Intent To Sell 1500ft School Zone
• Risk of Injury
• Possession Marijuana
• Possession Drug Paraphernalia

Cardona is being held on a $300,000.00 Dollar Surety Bond

Any citizen willing to give information concerning possible illegal activities is encouraged to contact Sergeant Chris Lavoie of the Street Crime Unit at 344-3259. All information will remain anonymous.

200 Bags of Heroin Recovered in High Street Arrest With Small Child Present

From the Middletown Police Department

On 08/12/09 at approximately 10 a.m. The Middletown Police Department Street Crime Unit with the assistance of the Detective Bureau and the Patrol Division executed a Search and Seizure Warrant at the residence of 656 High Street Apt (A). During the Street Crime Unit’s normal patrol of the cities north end we observed an abnormal amount of pedestrian traffic coming and going from said residence. We were also advised by neighboring citizens that they believed the residents of 656 High Street Apt (A) were possibly involved in some sort of criminal activity. This information prompted the Street Crime Unit to initiate an investigation.

Upon entry into said residence we encountered a small child in the area of the suspected Heroin that was recovered in the bedroom. Also in the apartment was 19 year old Jose Ramos who was later determined to have two active warrants from other jurisdictions. Ramos was subsequently placed under arrest and brought to Middletown Police Headquarters.

The target of our investigation Angel Gonzalez, 25, was arrested for the below charges. He was found to have over 200 bags of suspected Heroin.

• Possession of Heroin
• Possession of Heroin with intent to sell
• Possession of Marijuana Less than 4 oz.
• Risk of Injury to a Child
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Gonzalez was held on a $300,000.00 Dollar Surety Bond. The total approx street value of the suspected narcotics is $2,300.00

Any citizen willing to give information concerning possible illegal activities is encouraged to contact Sergeant Chris Lavoie of the Street Crime Unit at 344-3259. All information will remain anonymous.

Two Arrested For M Mart Armed Robbery

From the Middletown Police Department

The Middletown Police Department has made two arrests in connection with the July 18, 2009 armed robbery which occurred at M MART, 221 Newfield Street.

John Conley, age 22 of Hartford, was arrested on August 1 by Manchester Police on an outstanding arrest warrant surrounding this incident. He was turned over to Middletown
Police and faces charges of Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, Aiding in the Commission of Robbery, Threatening and Unlawful Restraint. He was held on a $250,000.00 bond. Quincy Tyler, age 26 of East Hartford, was arrested on July 27, 2009 in Mays Landing, NJ. He awaited extradition and was brought back to Connecticut by Middletown Detectives on August 3, 2009. Tyler faces charges of Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, Aiding in the Commission of Robbery and Threatening. He was also held on a $250,000.00 bond and appeared in Court earlier today. During the robbery, a handgun was displayed and pointed at the male attendant. The suspects demanded money and cigarettes; however they were interrupted by a male customer who entered the store. Both the attendant and the customer were held at gunpoint while another female customer was held in a headlock and forced down to the ground. The suspects then left the store with money and cigarettes.

The Detective Bureau continues to work leads in this case and more arrests are anticipated.

Middletown Police Report BB Gun Damage

From the Middletown Police Department

On August 3^rd at 5:21pm the Middletown Police Department responded to a report of possible gunshots at the Shell Gas Station located at 543 Washington Street. Upon arrival officers determined one vehicle had been damaged by a BB gun which was fired from another vehicle.

This appears to be an isolated incident. No injuries were reported. The offending vehicle left prior to the officer’s arrival. Officer’s are continuing their investigation at this time.

If anyone has any information regarding this incident, please contact the Middletown Police Department at (860) 344-3200.

Middletown Police Launch Community Information Site

From the Middletown Police Department

The City of Middletown Police Department is proud to launch a new Community Information Service designed to deliver important and timely information to residents in our area using the latest technology.

This service, created by Nixle, LLC delivers trustworthy and important neighborhood-level public safety and community event notifications by web, e-mail, and cell phone.

Residents of Middletown can now take advantage of Nixle, which is a community information service that alerts the public of safety threats and community events via web, e-mail, and cell phone. Nixle’s service connects municipal agencies and community organizations to residents in real time, delivering information to geographically targeted consumers over their cell phones (via text messages), through e-mails and through Web access. Nixle is offered at no cost to all governments, their agencies and organizations, nongovernmental organizations and consumers, although standard text messaging rates apply. Sign up at www.nixle.com to register

For now, Middletown residents will be able to receive police-related information and municipal government information via Nixle. Channels providing other kinds of information are expected to be introduced in the future.

Craig Mitnick, the founder and CEO of Nixle, said Nixle differs from current services such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, which provide unauthenticated platforms for connections. Nixle solves that problem by providing a single standardized service for consumers to receive immediate and credible neighborhood-level public safety and community information.

“Nixle is a first-of-its-kind tool for communities that need to provide critical information to their residents,” said Craig Mitnick, founder and CEO. “When it comes to public safety information, you have to trust the source. Residents of Middletown can rest easy that the local messages they receive are authentic.”

Suspect in Home Invasion Arrested

From the Middletown Police Department (unedited)

On July 23, 2009 the Middletown Police Department arrested Omar N. Menns (age 30) of Hartford, on a number of charges stemming from a March 21, 2009 home invasion and assault. During the course of the investigation, Menns was featured on America’s Most Wanted in connection with this incident.

At 0330 hours on March 21, officers responded to an unwanted person at 582 High Street. Menns allegedly forcibly entered the home of his ex-girlfriend and assaulted her and another person inside the residence. Menns allegedly fled the residence before officers arrived.

Later that same morning, Menns returned to the residence with a knife and once again assaulted the same victims. The 27 year old female victim and 27 year old male victim both sustained injuries. The male victim sustained serious injuries to the neck while the female victim injuries to the lower arm.

With cooperation from the U.S. Marshal’s Office and Hartford Police, Middletown Police Department Detectives launched a lengthy investigation which resulted in a warrant for Menns’ arrest. Omar Menns faces the following charges:

Home Invasion (2 counts), Criminal Attempt to Murder, Assault 1^st Degree, Assault 2^nd Degree, Assault 3^rd Degree (2 counts), Criminal Violation of a Protective Order (2 counts), Burglary 1^st Degree and Criminal Mischief. Menns was held on a combined $750,000.00 bond and appeared in Court today (Friday).

Stabbing Suspect Turns Himself In

From the Middletown Police Department

Middletown Police Detectives have made an arrest in connection with a serious stabbing incident which occurred on July 14, 2009.

Tykeem Privott, age 18, of 4 Maplewood Terrace walked in to police headquarters at 1500 hours and turned himself in on the charge of Assault 1^st Degree. He is currently being held on a $250,000.00 bond.

The stabbing incident took place on July 14 at 2200 hours at the Shell Gas Station, 302 East Main Street. The investigation revealed the suspect and the 44 year-old victim began a verbal argument which escalated to the victim being stabbed numerous times in the chest and back. The victim was able to drive his own vehicle to Middlesex Hospital and was later flown by Lifestar to Hartford Hospital with serious injuries.

The investigation revealed that the incident was not random, as the victim and the suspect were well acquainted.