Emergencies & Arrests, Traffic, Transportation James Bairaktaris Emergencies & Arrests, Traffic, Transportation James Bairaktaris

I-95 Southbound Shut Down for Shooting Investigation; Heavy Traffic Hits Local Streets

The State Department of Transportation has announced that I-95 southbound is shut down through Westport’s exits 18 and 17 this afternoon as the Connecticut State Police continue an ongoing investigation. Unofficial reports cite the investigation stems from possible evidence tracking along the I-95 corridor, while the Fairfield Police Department announced that I-95 will be shut down from Exit 18 until Exit 10 for the police activity. Fairfield County towns along Route 1 are reporting heavy traffic as both private cars and interstate trucks avoid the shutdown and hit the local streets on their journeys to all points south. Most of the Connecticut State traffic cameras have been turned off from Darien through Westport, though the ones remaining on show a completely deserted freeway. WestportLocal.com for more information as it becomes available.

UPDATE

Darien Police Department Press Release

At approximately 3:42 AM on Wednesday 09-14-2022, a Darien Police Sergeant observed a vehicle operating slowly S/B on Noroton Ave. in the area of Maple Street. The vehicle and operator then approached the Sergeant and reported that two subjects within the vehicle had been shot.

Darien officers provided immediate medical care to the victims; Darien EMS responded to the scene and transported two male subjects to Stamford Hospital for treatment. Darien PD officers remained on scene to secure the scene/vehicle and to assist the Connecticut State Police.

This investigation into this shooting incident is being conducted by the Connecticut State Police and the CSP Western District Major Crime Squad. There is no ongoing threat to the public at this time. Maple Street will be closed at Noroton Ave. for some period of time this morning as the investigation continues.

There are no indications that any crime occurred within the Town of Darien. All further inquiries concerning this investigation should be directed to the Connecticut State Police.

****** End of Release *****

Donald B. Anderson

Chief of Police

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Emergencies & Arrests James Bairaktaris Emergencies & Arrests James Bairaktaris

Closures Galore: Main Street, Elm Street, Jesup Road, Exit 18

Main Street was shut down due to a gas leak earlier today and is still blocked from Post Road to Avery Place and from Elm Street to Church Lane. The Exit 18 ramp to I-95 was also closed earlier today for police activity, according to the State Department of Transportation, and is still closed while unknown investigations continue. Jesup Road just joined the list as wires were down in the area of the Police Department, closing the road to all traffic. All incidents appear to be disconnected and simply a recipe for traffic in the community.

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Westport Police Arrest Two in Roadside Drug Bust; Fentanyl-Laced Drugs Seized

Press Release

On this date at approximately 9:40 a.m. an officer conducting traffic enforcement on the Sherwood Island Connector pulled a car over for a motor vehicle violation.  Upon approaching the car, the officer saw that there were four men inside.  As the driver was retrieving paperwork from the glove compartment, the officer observed a plastic bag that contained several red capsules.  He knew that capsules of that type are typically used to package crack cocaine.  At this point, the officer called for additional units to assist him with this investigation.  Seconds later, the person sitting in the front passenger seat ran from the vehicle and fled into the woods adjacent to the commuter parking lot.  The officer chased the individual and saw him discarding items as he ran.  The passenger was taken into custody after a brief struggle with officers.  The other three occupants remained with the car and did not attempt to flee.

The evidence that the passenger discarded during the foot chase was suspected narcotics and a scale.  The suspected narcotics were tested and determined to be cocaine and crack.  Both were mixed with fentanyl.  The crack cocaine weighed twelve grams and the cocaine weighed sixty grams.

The passenger who ran was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Sell, Illegal Operation of a Drug Factory, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Tampering With Evidence, Assault on a Public Safety Officer, and Interfering With an Officer.   He is currently being held on a $75,000.00 bond.

The driver was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Sell, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia,  Interfering With an Officer, Criminal Impersonation, Misuse of a License Plate, Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle, Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Insurance, Illegal Tinting, and Operating Without a License.  He is currently being held on a $51,000.00 bond.

The rear passengers were not charged.  However, one was taken into custody as he had outstanding warrants in other jurisdictions.  

The identities of the two parties arrested will be released at a later time, as the investigators are still working on confirming their identities.  

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UPDATE: Driver Suffers Life Threatening Injuries in Crash after being Ejected from Vehicle

Post Road East was closed late Thursday at Hills Point Road as the accident investigation teams worked on the scene. WestportLocal.com photo
Westport Police Department: 

On September 1, 2022, at approximately 9:30 PM, the Westport Police Department received numerous 911 calls regarding a serious motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Sherwood Island Connector and Post Rd East.  Arriving officers found a single car, roll-over type crash, and discovered that the operator had been ejected from the vehicle.  The operator was transported to Norwalk Hospital with life threatening injuries while the passenger was transported with minor injuries.

The crash is being investigated by the Westport Police Accident Investigation team with the assistance of the Fairfield Police Accident Investigation team.

The Sherwood Island Connector is currently closed between Post Rd E and Greens Farms Rd

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to call the Westport Police Department at (203)341-6000.

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Man Arrested for Assault, Violating Protective Order, Risking Injury to Child

Westport Police: 

On August 19, 2022, at approximately 1:10 a.m., Westport Police officers responded to a location in Westport on a report of a disturbance.  It was alleged that during an argument Sheridan Webb punched another person in the face.  Mr. Webb was no longer on the scene when officers arrived and a search of the area for him was not successful.  Children under the age of sixteen were present during the incident.  Additionally, officers discovered that there was an order of protection in place barring Mr. Webb from being at the home of the person he was accused of assaulting.  A warrant for Mr. Webb’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.

On the afternoon of August 20, 2022, Mr. Webb turned himself in at the Westport Police Department.  Per the warrant, he was charged with Criminal Violation of a Protective Order, Assault in the Third Degree, three counts of Risk of Injury to a Child, and Disorderly Conduct.  Mr. Webb was released after posting a $25,000.00 bond and was arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on the morning of August 22.

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18 Year Old Stamford Man Arrested for March Car Theft

On March 15, 2022, at approximately 7:35 a.m., Westport Police officers responded to a residence on a report of a stolen car.  The complainant said that his Toyota Tacoma was taken from his driveway sometime during the overnight hours.  The pick-up truck was recovered in Stamford, CT on March 16.  A cell phone was found in the vehicle.  Given that the investigating detective believed that the phone belonged to someone involved in the theft, a search warrant was completed to examine the contents of the phone.  Based on the results of that examination, DeMarcus Bennett was developed as a suspect.  Additional evidence tying him to the crime was obtained.  A warrant for Mr. Bennett’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.

On the morning of August 16, 2022, Mr. Bennett turned himself in at the Westport Police Department. Per the warrant, he was charged with Larceny in the First Degree and Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the First Degree.  Mr. Bennett was held on a $20,000.00 bond and was transported to Stamford Superior Court the morning of August 17, 2022, to be arraigned. 

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