Darien Police Reports for Week of April 3
Incident Type: Suspicious Person at Cherry Lawn Park leads To Marijuana Infraction & M/V Charges:
- Date of Incident: 04-03-2017 reported at 11:04 hrs.
- Location: Brookside Rd // Bates Farm Rd Darien, CT
- Suspect: BECKFORD, Akeem Bronx, NY age 25
- Vehicle Involved: 2005 Ford Focus.
Infraction ticket issued to Suspect for Possession of Less Than ½ oz of Marijuana, $150.00 fine, Failure to Wear Seatbelt, $92.00 fine, and Failure to Carry Insurance ID Card, $117.00 fine.
Officers dispatched to Cherry Lawn Park for a suspicious person on the playground. Officers observed suspect leaving the park in a gray Ford Focus. The suspect was not wearing his seatbelt and was pulled over. During the stop, officers detected an odor of marijuana in the vehicle and subsequently located a marijuana cigarette on the center console. Suspect admitted to being on playground but not near any children. He was also unable to produce his insurance ID card.
Incident Type: Stolen Motor Vehicle-Later Recovered in Waterbury
- Date of Incident: 04-05-2017 reported at 0725 hrs.
- Location: 28 Shield Road, Darien, CT
- Suspects: None Identified
- Vehicle Involved: 2017 BMW X3, color white
Resident discovered the above listed motor vehicle missing at approximately 5:00 AM. The vehicle had been parked in the driveway with the doors left unlocked and the keys in a center console. The vehicle was last seen in the driveway at approximately 10:00 PM on 04.04.2017. The vehicle was equipped with a BMW GPS type system which showed the vehicle to be in Waterbury at approximately 7:45 AM.. Waterbury PD located the vehicle in their city and the vehicle was recovered. The vehicle was recovered in good condition with no apparent damage. Investigation into this theft is continuing.
Incident Type: Motor Vehicle Burglary
- Date of Incident: 04-05-2017 reported at 0733 hrs.
- Location: 28 Shield Road, Darien, CT
- Suspects: None Identified
- Vehicle Involved: 2017 Toyota Highlander, color blue
Stolen from vehicle: Black leather wallet (value $110.00) containing $70.00 cash, Operator’s license, 3 credit cards. Keys and key ring valued at $70.00.
While investigating a stolen motor vehicle at the listed address, it was determined that the above listed vehicle had been entered with items taken. Vehicle had been parked in the driveway overnight. Vehicle had been left unlocked. The center console and the glove box had been rifled through. Investigation into this theft is continuing.
Incident Type: Motor Vehicle Burglary
- Date of Incident: 04-05-2017 reported at 0752 hrs.
- Location: 44 Shield Road, Darien, CT
- Suspects: None Identified
- Vehicle Involved: 2017 Mercedes Benz, color gray
- Stolen from vehicle: Nothing taken
While officers were in this area conducting an earlier investigation into a stolen vehicle, it was determined, while canvassing the neighborhood, that the above listed vehicle had been entered but that nothing was taken. Vehicle had been parked in the driveway overnight after being parked at approximately 9:30 PM on 04.04.2017. Vehicle had been left unlocked and the victim stated that she did not hear or see anything suspicious during the overnight hours. A neighbor did later report hearing car doors open and closing in the area at approximately 4:00 AM. The center console and the glove box had been rifled through. Investigation into this theft is continuing.
Incident Type: Motor Vehicle Burglary
- Date of Incident: 04-05-2017 reported at 0854 hrs.
- Location: 12 Kona Road, Darien, CT
- Suspects: None Identified
- Vehicles Involved: 2007 Chevrolet Suburban, color blue, 2014 Volvo XC70, color blue
- Stolen from vehicle: $20.00 in cash from glove box of Volvo
Officer responded to 12 Kona Road on the report of motor vehicle burglaries. Both the listed vehicles had been parked in the driveway overnight. The Volvo had been left unlocked and the victim stated that she did not hear or see anything suspicious during the overnight hours. The center console and the glove box had been rifled through. The resident believed that the Suburban had been locked overnight, however there were no signs of forced entry into this vehicle. It did appear that the Suburban had been rifled through as well but nothing was reported missing. Investigation into this theft is continuing.
Incident Type: Motor Vehicle Burglary
- Date of Incident: 04-05-2017 reported at 0855 hrs.
- Location: 7 Kona Road, Darien, CT
- Suspects: None Identified
- Vehicle Involved: 2012 Land Rover LR4, color black
- Stolen from vehicle: Nothing taken
Officer responded to 7 Kona Road on the report of a motor vehicle burglary. The listed vehicle had been parked in the driveway overnight after being parked at approximately 9:30 PM on 04.04.2017. The vehicle had been left unlocked and the victim stated that she did not hear or see anything suspicious during the overnight hours. At approximately 7:00 AM, the victim discovered that the center console and the glove box had been rifled through but that nothing was missing from the vehicle. Investigation into this theft is continuing.
Incident Type: Larceny via Telephone Scam
- Date of Incident: 04-05-2017 reported at 1148 hrs.
- Location: 6 Rebel Ln, Darien, CT
- Suspects: None Identified
- Loss: Approximately $21,000.00
Officer responded to 6 Rebel Lane on the report of a telephone larceny scam resulting in the loss of $21,000.00. The victim in this case is a 67 year old Darien resident. On or about 3.28.2017, the victim had received a phone call on his home phone from an individual purporting to be with the federal government. The caller, described to have an “Indian accent”, initially used the name of “Andew Lissel” and informed the victim that he was being awarded a joint “US/UK grant” in the amount of $7900.00. The victim was told that he needed to pay the fees in order to have the money transferred from the UK to the US. The caller instructed the victim to purchase Apple Itunes gift cards and to provide the caller with the serial numbers in order to have the “fees” covered. Between 03.28.2017 and 04.05.2017, the victim did purchased approximately $21,000.00 worth of Apple Itunes cards and provided the serial numbers to the caller. This investigation is active and continuing. In subsequent calls, the name “Mark Cooper” was used as well. . The Darien Police Department again strongly cautions all residents to be extremely wary of any phone solicitation from anyone purporting to be a representative of any US or foreign government, of anyone asking for any payment of “fees” via gift cards or through wire transfer requests of any type. If unsolicited requests or offers of this type are received via phone or via the Internet, they are, without a doubt, a scam operation.
Incident Type: Motor Vehicle Burglary
- Date of Incident: 04-05-2017 reported at 1253 hrs.
- Location: 15 Libby Lane, Darien, CT
- Suspects: None Identified
- Vehicle Involved: 2016 Toyota Rav 4, color gray
- Stolen from vehicle: Nothing taken
Officer met with the victim at Police Headquarters on the report of a motor vehicle burglary. The listed vehicle had been parked in the driveway of the residence at approximately 12:45 PM on 04.04.2017 and was found to have been entered at approximately 10:30 AM on 04.05.2017. The vehicle had been left unlocked and the victim stated that she did not hear or see anything suspicious during the time frame of the vehicle being entered. The center console had been rifled through with items strewn on the passenger seat. Nothing was reported missing from the vehicle. Investigation into this theft is continuing.
Incident Type: Motor Vehicle Burglary
- Date of Incident: 04-05-2017 reported at 2:04 PM
- Location: 41 Wakemore Street, Darien, CT
- Suspects: None Identified
- Vehicle Involved: 2014 Jeep Wrangler, color white
Stolen from vehicle: “Beats” brand headphone valued at $500.00; a book bag with personal papers was also taken but was later recovered on the property along with its contents.
Officer met with the victim at Police Headquarters on the report of a motor vehicle burglary that reportedly occurred between Monday 04.03.2017 and Tuesday 04.04.2017. The vehicle had been left unlocked and the victim stated that she did not hear or see anything suspicious during the time frame of the vehicle being entered. On 04.04.2017, at approximately 8:30 PM, the victim discovered that the vehicle had been entered and rifled through. Missing from the vehicle was a pair of “Beats” headphones and a black book bag. On 04.05.2017, the book bag was recovered on the property with the contents strewn on the ground. No other similar incidents were reported in the immediate area.
Incident Type: Domestic Violence Arrest:
- Date of Incident: 04-05-2017 reported at 13:22 hrs.
- Suspect: PULVIRENTI, Joseph Jr., Darien, CT age 21
In compliance with Connecticut Public Act 15-211, amending CGS Sec 54-86d and CGS Sec 54-86e, the name of the victim in this Domestic Violence incident has not been included in the report narrative as CGS Sec 54-86d and 54-86e extends confidentiality protections to victims of Domestic Violence. The victim was confirmed to be parties in relationships that falls under the protections of the applicable statutes and were listed as "Victim #1" throughout the report narrative.
There is an active protective order against Pulvirenti with Victim #1 as the protected party. The conditions set forth in the order mandate that Pulvirenti surrender or transfer all firearms, and that he refrain from assaulting, threatening, abusing, harassing, following, interfering or stalking the protect persons.
Based on the officer’s investigation including witness statements and the active protective order, an arrest warrant for Pulvirenti was applied for and granted.
On 04.06.2017 officers observed Pulvirenti sitting in a parked vehicle in the area of 20 West Avenue. On the strength of the arrest warrant, officers had Pulvirenti exit the vehicle and he was placed under arrest. He was then charged with:
- Criminal Violation of Protective Order
- Disorderly Conduct
Pulvirenti was held on $10,000.00 court set bond and was arraigned in court at 10:00am on 04.07.2017
Incident Type: Breach of Peace:
- Date of Incident: 04-05-2017 reported at 09:10 AM
- Location: Darien Train Station Eastbound Side
- Suspects: None Identified
- Vehicle Involved: Black 4dr Sedan
Officers were dispatched to the Darien East bound train lot on the report of two (2) parties who had been shot at with a paintball gun. The victims, a 32 year old Brooklyn man and a 52 year old male from New York, NY, stated that they had been shot at with a paintball gun after exiting the train from New York. Both parties explained that they were walking through the railroad lot to work when a black sedan drove through the parking lot and shot at them with a paintball gun. It is believed that the suspects shot twice but missed both victims. Neither party believed that they were being targeted but were just victims of opportunity.
The victims stated that there were at least two (2) suspects in the car but they were unable to describe them. The suspect vehicle fled the area on Squab Ln. towards Leroy Ave.
Investigation revealed that two nearby parked vehicles had been struck by orange paintballs that had been fired at the victims. One vehicle was a Jeep Grand Cherokee and the second was a Volvo XC90. The vehicles were otherwise undamaged.
Incident Type: Theft of Motor Vehicle Parts
- Date of Incident: 04-06-2017 reported at 11:10 AM
- Location: Parking Lot 20 West Ave
- Victim: 75 y/o female from Stamford
- Suspects: None Identified
- Vehicle Involved: 2017 Honda Accord color: Silver
Officers were dispatched to 20 West Ave on the report of a motor vehicle burglary. Upon arrival the victim stated that someone had broken into her car and taken parts off the vehicle. The victim’s vehicle was parked in the parking lot for Lanphier Spa. The victim stated she parked the vehicle at approximately 11:10am and returned to it at 1:10 pm. When she came back to the vehicle she observed the trunk lid missing. After further inspecting her car she realized that the driver side door lock had been forced open and her steering wheel airbag was missing.
Investigation revealed that the trunk lid had been removed from the assembly arms. The rear registration plate was attached to the trunk lid and was also missing. No other vehicles in the area had been disturbed. The approximate value of the stolen vehicle parts is $3000.00. This incident remains under investigation by the Detective Division.
Incident Type: Structure Fire
- Date of Incident: 04-06-2017
- Location: 93 Holmes Ave
At approximately 1251hrs, officers were dispatched to 93 Holmes Avenue on a report of an active structure fire. Upon arrival, officers observed flames on the front porch, on the front exterior wall, on the roof of the porch and near an upstairs window. A 55 y/o female resident and an 18 y/o male resident were on the front porch and were exiting the house for safety. A third resident, a 55 y/o male, was attempting to put the fire out with water from inside the house.
Officers attempted to put out the fire with fire extinguishers but were unsuccessful. Darien, Noroton Heights and Noroton Fire Departments responded arrived on scene and were able to contain the majority of fire to the front portion of the residence. The residence sustained significant damage to the front side, the roof, the porch as well as smoke damage to the interior.
The 55 y/o male resident who was attempting to put out the fire sustained burns to his forehead and hands. He also appeared to be suffering from smoke inhalation. He was subsequently transported to Stamford Hospital by Post 53. Neither of the other two residents was injured. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Incident Type: DWI Arrest
Suspect: Morales-Mejia, Alex of Stamford, CT
- Arrest date: 04-08-2017
- Time: 0159 Hours (1:59 AM)
- Arrest Location: Leroy Ave // McLaren Rd
- Charge 1: Operating Under the Influence 14-227a
- Charge 2: Fail To Drive Right 14-230
- Bond: $50.00 cash, posted by the accused on 04-08-2017.
- Court date: 04-18-2017
- Vehicle Involved: 2005 Toyota RAV4 color: Gray
At approximately 2:00am on 4/8/2017 an officer on patrol observed a gray Toyota Rav4 traveling north on Leroy Ave. The vehicle crossed the double yellow line 3 times before reaching McLaren Rd and was then pulled over. The driver was identified as Morales-Mejia. Morales-Mejia stated that he was following the car in front of him and was coming from Seaside Tavern in Stamford. The officer detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage on Morales-Mejia’s breath. When asked, he stated that he had consumed two alcoholic drinks. He was then asked to submit to a series of field sobriety tests.
Based on the officer’s observations and poor performance on the field sobriety tests, Morales-Mejia was placed under arrest for DWI. During processing, Morales-Mejia refused to contact an attorney and submitted to a breath test. The first breath sample was taken at 2:44am with a result of .104. The second breath sample was taken at 3:06am with a result of .078. Morales-Mejia was issued a $50.00 bond which he posted himself and is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on 4/18/2017.
Incident Type: Motor Vehicle Burglaries
Date of Incident: 04-08-2017 reported at 8:08 AM
Location: 18 Roland Drive, Darien, CT
Suspects: None Identified
Vehicles Involved:
- 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe, color red
- 2005 Nissan Altima, color gray
- 2015 Cadillac Escalade, color black
Item taken: Iphone charger from red Tahoe value $10.00
Officers were dispatched to the above address on the report of three vehicles in the driveway that had been entered and rifled through during the overnight hours. The victim reported that the vehicles had been left unlocked and that they had been entered sometime between 9:00 PM on 04.08.2017 and 7:00 AM on 04.09.2017. The victim stated that he did not hear or see anything suspicious during the overnight hours. Investigation into this theft is continuing. Nothing was reported missing from either the Cadillac or the Nissan.
Incident Type: Stolen Motor Vehicle
- Date of Incident: 04-09-2017 reported at 9:12 AM
- Location: 19 Oak Crest Drive, Darien, CT
- Suspects: None Identified
- Vehicle Stolen: 2011 Porsche Cayenne S, color white, reported value $50,000.00.
Officers were dispatched to 19 Oak Crest on the report of a stolen motor vehicle. Upon arrival, officers met with the owner of the vehicle who reported that she last saw the vehicle parked in the driveway at approximately 10:30 PM on 04.08.2017. The vehicle has been left unlocked with the keys inside. The owner reported hearing nothing unusual during the overnight hours. A neighborhood canvass was conducted as well but no neighbors observed or heard anything unusual during the overnight hours either. Other motor vehicle burglaries were reported in this same area and are potentially connected to this stolen motor vehicle. Investigation into this theft is continuing and the vehicle is yet to be recovered.
The Darien Police Department again cautions all residents to lock their vehicles at all times. The recent spate of motor vehicle burglaries and motor vehicle thefts all largely share one commonality; the vehicles were left unlocked and, in the case of stolen vehicles, the keys were left inside. We cannot state this strongly enough; the ongoing protection of valuable property is really a joint effort between the property owners and law enforcement. We simply cannot be everywhere, every day, at every moment to protect your property. Please help us help you; do not leave valuables in your vehicle and please ensure that your vehicles are locked at all times, no matter where they are parked.
Darien officers responded to 14 motor vehicle collisions during the week, 5 of which involved minor injuries.