Bye, BiH!
A man who annoyed New Britain residents for about a year with his graffiti was arrested after leaving his calling card on the booking room walls of the local police station, according to a Feb. 23 article in the New Britain Herald.
Police allege that the 22-year-old man was using spray paint and marker to put “BiH” on buildings and objects throughout a central neighborhood in the city. He has been charged with criminal mischief.
The mark is a symbol for Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to the article. Police allegedly found the symbol in the man's basement and garage. He allegedly left it in his cell while he was incarcerated.
He was charged with first- and third-degree criminal mischief.
Fighting City Hall
A former state trooper found himself surrounded by police officers with their guns drawn after he entered Middletown City Hall carrying a weapon on Feb. 23, according to an article in the Hartford Courant. Police arrived at the building after receiving a report that a man with a pistol was inside. Police found that the man had a valid permit and was not breaking any laws. He was not arrested.
A Feb. 24 article states that the incident sparked a reaction from local officials, who are discussing whether to increase security measures at city hall. Mayor Sebastian Giuliano has asked the public works department to put signs at the building's entrance stating that no weapons are permitted inside.
Mauled at the Mall
Police arrested two employees of a massage therapy business in the center of Stamford after one allegedly stabbed the other following an argument over a phone bill, according to a Feb. 24 article in the Stamford Times.
The 50-year-old woman and 40-year-old man, both of Flushing, N.Y., were arrested on Feb. 23 following the incident. The two suspects, who speak only Chinese, were allegedly in a relationship. Police stated that there was a language barrier that initially impeded the investigation.
During the argument, the man allegedly kicked the woman's legs out from under her and rendered her unconscious. When she regained consciousness, she allegedly pursued him to the second level of the mall while holding a knife and stabbed him the lower back before being restrained by mall security. Three small children witnessed the incident, which has caused police to charge the woman with three counts of risk of injury to a minor as well as felony assault and reckless endangerment. The man was charged with assault in the second degree and strangulation in the third degree.
Employee of the Year
A former medical technologist from the UConn Health Center is accused of tampering with evidence that was submitted to the Office of State Ethics, according to a Feb. 25 article in the Hartford Courant.
The woman, a 54-year-old Coventry resident, allegedly tampered with physical evidence while she was being investigated for using state resources to support her private jewelry business, for which she was fined $15,000. She's scheduled to appear at Hartford Superior Court on March 18 and faces up to five years in prison.
She allegedly used computers, printers, telephones and Internet access at the center to pursue her business ventures.
Teacher of the Year
A West Hartford Teacher has been barred from the classroom after being arrested for driving while under the influence and cocaine possession, according to a Feb. 25 article in the Hartford Courant.
The 37-year-old teacher was pulled over by police on Feb. 19 for a traffic violation and was arrested afterward on the charges. The teacher, who was suspended with pay after the incident, was allegedly found in possession of cocaine and a rolled up bill. He was released on $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on March 3 as of press time.
Oops!
Windsor Locks Police arrested an East Windsor man after he allegedly crashed his pickup truck into the back of a patrol car on Feb. 25 at 1:30 a.m., according to a Hartford Courant article. The incident occurred while officer Paul Sherakow had stopped at a traffic light in the center of town.
The suspect was charged with driving while under the influence, carrying a dangerous weapon and for having weapons in a motor vehicle. Officer Sherakow was treated and released from Hartford Hospital.
The suspect's bail was set at $10,000. He appeared in court during the day of the incident.
Pack your Bags
A Norwalk woman accused of burglary was allegedly caught fleeing in a taxi with suitcases full of stolen items, according to an article in the Hartford Courant.
The woman, 21, was arrested on Feb. 25 and charged with third-degree burglary, third-degree larceny and criminal violation of a protective order. She is scheduled to appear in court on March 7.
Police investigated the burglary at about 5:45 p.m. and caught her later that evening. Neighbors allegedly spotted her entering the taxi with the suitcases.
