Darien police are asking the public if they have any information about a suspect in an assault at 1 p.m., April 4 in front of a home on Hecker Avenue. The suspect is described as a black male of average build (police had previously identified him as a “man”) and about 6 feet in height. He was last seen getting into a CT Transit bus heading toward Norwalk. He got off at New Canaan Avenue. If you have any information, police ask you to call the Detective Bureau at 662-5330.
Darien police gave out this information on the latest thefts of catalytic converters in town. One theft occurred in the victim’s driveway on Noroton Avenue; the other, in the parking lot for Darien Post Office. When a vehicle was parked at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 26 in the driveway of the victim’s home on Noroton Avenue, not far from the Noroton Heights Fire Department building, the catalytic converter was still in it. At 6:30 p.m., the next day, the victim started the vehicle again and heard a loud sound that he realized was caused by the absence of a catalytic converter. He looked under the vehicle and confirmed it.
A 43-year-old Darien woman was arrested on a warrant on April 24 after she “became physical” with a police officer who arrived at her home in response to her report of a domestic incident, police said. The arrest was one of two made by Darien police in connection with unrelated domestic incidents
Darien police gave these accounts of what happened in each case, including accusations not proven in court:
The woman called police on Sept. 26 to report a verbal argument. Police didn’t say how that report concerned them enough to dispatch at least one officer to the scene (loud noises or concern about violence are two ways that can happen). When the officer arrived, the woman “became physical” with the officer.
The driver of a green 2017 Range Rover parked it outside his friends house on Hoyt Street, just south of Camp Avenue, at 1:03 p.m., Sunday, April 17. By 1:55 p.m., the vehicle had been stolen. The theft was reported to police at 4:20 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., the victim told police that the vehicle was last tracked to Elizabeth, New Jersey. Police in that community were unable to locate the vehicle. An investigation is continuing.
A police officer patrolling the Post Road at 4:02 a.m. saw a white van, without any lights on, backing up into the back of Nino’s Restaurant at 390 Post Road, police said. That, with other information, resulted in the arrests of two men accused of trying to steal used cooking oil. Darien police gave this account of what happened in the early morning incident on April 22, a Friday, including accusations not proven in court:
The officer’s suspicions were raised further after hearing a generator being started from the “older” white van and seeing a hose running from the van into a container
When the two men were approached by officers, they remove the hose from the container and put it in the van. Police determined that the hose had been used to syphon used cooking oil from an outdoor vat. Used cooking oil can be resold, so taking it without permission is larceny.
A 51-year-old woman, found in a car with heavy front-end damage on the side of the Post Road at 3:12 a.m. was charged with driving while under the influence, police said. Darien police gave this account of what happened, including accusations not proven in court:
On April 7, a Thursday, an officer patrolling the Post Road near Renshaw Road saw the two-door car and the damage to it. In talking with the woman, the officer noticed a strong smell of alcohol on her breath. The woman wasn’t able to tell the officer where the car had been damaged. She also said she had been drinking alcohol that night in Greenwich.
In honor of Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, Carolyn Eddie and her fabulous supporting crew cordially invite you to a Royal Afternoon Tea on Friday, May 20 at the Darien Community Association. — an announcement from the Darien Community Association
Join us (weather permitting) for a quintessential “royal” garden reception in the formal garden of the DCA Meadowlands and enjoy a Pimm’s Cocktail and amuse-bouche. Then take your seat indoors for a deliciously opulent “royal” tea replete with fluffy scones, perfectly-cut sandwiches and almost too-good-to-eat cakes. This is the classic British experience. Seating is available from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Reserve a table with friends or buy yourself a ticket and we’ll place you at a table with others.
A man assaulted another male (police didn’t say whether the victim was a man or boy) in front of a house on Hecker Avenue after following the victim off a Post Road bus, then up the street past Darien Police Headquarters, police said. When the victim broke free and entered the unlocked back door of the house, the man forced the door open, punched the victim and stole some cash from his pocket, the victim told police. The victim had injuries on his face and an arm, but he declined medical attention
The incident occurred at about 1 p.m. on April 4, a Monday. According to police, the victim was going to the house on Hecker Avenue because he was doing work there (police didn’t say what kind of work). Police didn’t say whether or not the victim knew the robber, provide a description of what the robber looked like or say how much cash was stolen.
Dr. Sarah Crosby, a marine ecologist trained in conservation science with extensive experience in coastal and marine ecosystems, will join The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk this week as director of conservation and policy. The new position at the Aquarium is meant to significantly expand its leadership role in local and national conservation issues. — an announcement from The Maritime Aquarium
“Long Island Sound is an ecosystem of profound importance, both to local communities as well as for its biodiversity,” Crosby said. “The transformation that the Sound has undergone in the last 30 years can serve as an inspiration to conservation scientists everywhere; the efforts of our entire region have resulted in a restored and healthier ecosystem. Yet, there is so much more work to be done.”
Crosby will be responsible for shaping and leading the Aquarium’s conservation initiatives and overall strategy, with a focus on the ecosystem of Long Island Sound, but also on broader issues of climate change, species management, marine pollution and other conservation issues that affect the Sound as well as the national and global environment.
Elizabeth Abelson, an Ox Ridge student, has won First Place in the 2022 Connecticut State Daughters of the American Revolution Fifth Grade American History Essay Contest. — an announcement from the Darien Good Wife’s River Chapter of DAR
Her essay on this year’s topic, “The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” competed with essays by other fifth graders submitted by DAR Chapters from across the state. Her essay was the winner of the local Fifth Grade American History Essay Contest sponsored by Darien’s Good Wife’s River Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. Elizabeth is the daughter of Rebecca Saenger and Philip Abelson of Darien. She received her State Award and Certificate from CTDAR Essay Contest Chairman Darcy Kern and CTDAR State Regent Christy Hendrie during the CTDAR State Conference held on April 23, at the Sheraton Hartford.
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes will announce his re-election campaign with supporters at a 3 p.m., Saturday press conference at Old Town Hall in Fairfield, the Democratic congressman’s campaign announced Friday morning. According to the announcement, the event will be attended by state Rep. Cristin Vahey, Bridgeport City Council President Aidee Nieves, state Rep. Jennifer Leeper and Tim Gavin, a candidate for the 28th state senate district. James Andrew Himes, a Greenwich resident, was first elected 14 years ago, in 2008, to represent the Fourth Congressional District in Congress. He is now in his seventh term. In the House of Representatives, Himes chairs the Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth and serves on the Financial Services Committee and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
On Saturday, April 23 Housatonic Community College (HCC) will host a fundraiser for Ukraine featuring a craft fair, art auction and culturally immersive event. — an announcement from Housatonic Community College
The fundraiser, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., will feature live performances, craft sales, pierogi sales and activities for children. All activities will take place in the HCC campus courtyard at 900 Lafayette Blvd., Bridgeport, off of Interstate 95 Exit 27. A $2 donation is encouraged and all proceeds will go to help the people of Ukraine. Free parking is available and the community is encouraged to attend.
I love getting email, especially from frustrated Metro-North commuters. Consider this thoughtful email I received a week ago from a six-day-a-week rider, Scott Mikita, who works on Broadway:
“I am actually on a train into work right now and Googled ‘Metro North conductor claims he can’t enforce mask mandate’ and your article from September 2021 popped up. I take 12 train rides per week and have seen ridership increase since coming back to work in September 2021. I have also noticed that trains are often shorter than before and some conductors reluctant to open empty cars, even on busy, crowded trains. “Just now, I asked the conductor if the mask mandate is still in effect (there is a couple sitting on the train, maskless) and he said yes, but that he ‘couldn’t enforce it.’
Aquarion Water Company on Wednesday announced the start of the 2022 mandatory sprinkler irrigation schedule. — an announcement from Aquarion Water Company
The schedule applies to customers in Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Newtown, Stamford, Westport and now Fairfield. That town was part of a voluntary schedule last year, and has been added to the mandatory irrigation schedule for 2022. The schedule helps to conserve water supplies by reducing overwatering of lawns and gardens through a maximum two days per week schedule. The conservation program helps to ensure local water supplies remain sufficient for critical needs such as human consumption and fire protection.
Alan McIntyre of Darien was honored Saturday at The Palace Theatre in Stamford for his service to Stamford Symphony as chairman of the Board of Trustees, and for services to people in Fairfield County. — an announcement from Stamford Symphony
McIntyre remains on the board and will continue to chair the Orchestra’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee. McIntyre joined the board in 2010, becoming chair in 2015. During his tenure, he oversaw the hiring of a new chief executive and the appointment of Music Director Michael Stern. He also made the leadership gift to the Orchestra’s Crescendo Fund for the Future of Stamford Symphony.
