Public Safety
Melissa Allen mug shot

Police: Woman, 40, Stole Money from a Business Bank Account to Pay Her Credit Card

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A 40-year-old woman stole information from another woman’s business bank account in Darien to make a payment to her own delinquent credit card account, Darien police said. Police gave this account of what happened, including accusations not proven in court:

The victim, who has the business bank account at Darien Rowayton Bank, told police on July 31 that information about her account had been used by someone making an unauthorized withdrawal from it. Police said didn’t say what specific information was used to withdraw the money or how that information was obtained. The money was transferred to an account called “Avant LLC,” and police were able to identify Melissa Allen of Endicott, New York as the person who transferred the funds (police didn’t say how much money was taken). Endicott had a credit card that had “gone into charge-off status,” the police announcement said.

Public Safety
Mohamed Fofana arrest mug shot

Police: Man, 27, Stole and Forged a False Name on a Check in 2022, Arrested This Month

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A 27-year-old man who stole and then altered a check in 2022, was recently arrested at Riker’s Island jail by Darien Police, the department announced. Police gave this further account, including accusations not proven in court:

A woman, apparently from Darien (police didn’t say), told police that on Oct. 25, 2022, the check she mailed out to her painter had been stolen and altered. Mohamed Fofana of the Bronx deposited the check in a TD Bank branch, using a false identity. Fofana also fraudulently created a business entity, Prelude Painting LLC.

Absentee Ballots 2025
Absentee Ballot mail-in ballot election

UPDATE: How to Get an Absentee Ballot for the November 4 Election

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You can now apply online for an absentee ballot if you’re unable to get to a polling location on Election Day, Nov. 4. On Saturday, Sept. 20, the state government opened an online portal allowing Connecticut residents to apply online.You’ll need to provide your driver’s license number or non-driver identification number to complete the application. The Darien Town Clerk’s Office has more information, here, on getting and using absentee ballots for the upcoming election.

Darien Community Association 2025
Trivia on Tap event DCA 10/17/25

DCA Hosts ‘Trivia on Tap’ Game: Organize Your Team or Come Alone to Participate

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Grab your friends and join the DCA this October for a night of quick thinking, big laughs, and maybe even some serious bragging rights! We’ll have burgers from Shake Shack, cold beer on tap, and plenty of friendly competition to keep the night rolling. — an announcement from the Darien Community Association
Doors open at 6 p.m. The triva competition starts at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17 at the DCA, 274 Middlesex Road. You can register here.

Darien High Schoo 2025
Darien High School DHS 9-13-16

UPDATE: Police: Threat on Instagram Against DHS Traced to Juvenile in Arkansas

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UPDATE, 11:59 a.m.

A juvenile in Arkansas posted the threat that caused Darien High School to be closed Tuesday, and that juvenile is being questioned, Darien Police Chief Jeremiah P. Marron Jr. said in an 11:35 a.m. email. “[A]fter school athletics will run as scheduled,” Interim Schools Superintendent Eric Byrne said in an announcement emailed at 11:42 a.m. Darien police will increase patrolling near schools and at homecoming events in the next few days, Byrne said. “Darien Detectives, collaborating with Meta Platforms Inc., the FBI, and the Connecticut Intelligence Center, were able to trace the account to the juvenile and we are now working with Arkansas Law Enforcement,” Marron wrote. “Currently there is no known credible threat to any school in Darien. As this investigation continues, we will provide an update if necessary.”

9/11
Sept 11 Memorial 9/11 roses and flags placed

Darien Commemorates 9/11 with a Ceremony and Speeches at the Town’s Memorial

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Darien’s 9/11 ceremony, 24 years after the massacres on Sept. 11, 2001, included the National Anthem, red roses, American flags, a moment of silence and brief speeches reflecting on the heartbreak and heroism of that day and the years after. The ceremony, at Darien’s 9/11 memorial behind Middlesex Middle School, brought together a crowd of over 100 people, including uniformed police officers and firefighters as well as some EMTs. Running from about 8:25 to a little after 9 a.m., the event included with the times of day the two passenger jets had slammed into each of the World Trade Center towers — 8:46 and 9:03 a.m.

“As years, now decades, go by, people forget — but those of us who witnessed this do not forget, and it’s our job to remember those we lost, and honor those who helped — firemen, poliemen, ER personnel, ambulance drivers and people who sowed up to do what they could — simple gestures to ease suffering in whatever way they could,” Monuments and Ceremonies Commission member Nanci Natale told the crowd. The ceremony took place under a cloudless blue sky not quite as deeply blue as it was in Darien on the day of the attacks.

Public Safety
Police

Police: 64-Year-Old Home Health Aide Caught on Video Stealing Necklace from Darien Client

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A 64-year-old Darien woman working as a home health aide stole a necklace from the home of a client of hers in Darien, police said. Darien police gave this further account, including accusations not proven in court:

Surveillance video in the home showed that the woman, a health aide with Connecticut Best Home Care had taken the necklace on Aug. 29, and at some point it was reviewed and was given to police. The incident was reported to police on Sept. 4.

Public Safety
Darien Police Ford Interceptor SUV

Police: Norwalk Man, 25, Charged with Shoplifting and Trespassing at Darien Supermarket

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For the second time this year a Norwalk man was found trespassing at Palmers Market, Darien police said. In the latest incident, Thursday evening, Augustine Duffey, 25, of Finch Court was found with stolen items and charged with first-degree trespassing and sixth-degree larceny (both misdemeanors) according to police. Darien police gave this account of the matter, including accusations not proven in court:

Police went to the supermarket at 246 Heights Road at about 7:24 p.m. Palmer’s employees identified Duffey as the suspect. Police confronted him in the parking lot. Officers found Duffey had stolen items from the store, which were returned.

Public Safety
Darien Train Station Darien Railroad Station

Police: Two Men Charged with Trespassing at Darien Train Station, One Charged Twice

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A 25-year-old Norwalk man and a New York City man, 43, got into a dispute starting at Darien Railroad Station and continuing or reviving at Tilley Pond Park, across the street, Darien police said. Each man was charged on Sunday, Aug. 24, with first-degree criminal trespassing, a misdemeanor. Police gave this additional account of the matter, including accusations not proven in court:

Six days earlier, on Monday, Aug. 18, the Norwalk man had been charged with third-degree criminal trespassing, a misdemeanor, after he was found asleep on a bench at the train station at 8:15 p.m. He had been told repeatedly, earlier in the day, not to return to the station.

Darien Driving Under the Influence 2025
Police Patrol Car SUV Police Car Police

Police: DUI for Man, 44, Found Asleep Behind the Wheel of Vehicle Stopped on the Road at 2:31 AM

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A vehicle that was stopped but still running and with the gear in drive had an intoxicated driver asleep behind the wheel, Darien police said. Police gave this further account, including accusations not proven in court:

Police responded at 2:31 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 24 to a report of the stopped vehicle at 2:31 a.m. at or near the intersection of Hollow Tree Road and Ox Ridge Lane. The man in the driver’s seat, a 44-year-old resident of Carroll Street in the Springdale section of Stamford, showed signs of impairment. He couldn’t adequately complete standardized field sobriety tests, so he was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated.

Public Safety
Town Seal Patrol Car

Police: Man, 29, Arrested After Sending Threatening, Harrassing Messages to Former Boss

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A 29-year-old man was arrested on Saturday, Aug. 16 after sending threatening messages sent to a former employer in Darien, police said. This further account from Darien police includes accusations not proven in court:

On Friday, the employer met with police and showed them screenshots and voice messages from Michael Rybl of Strawberry Avenue in Stamford. The screenshots and voicemail escalated from innocuous to threatening. Stamford police helped in locating Rybl, who was arrested without incident.

Back to School 2025

CT Officials: Tips to Avoid Getting Scammed When Shopping for Back-to-School Items

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Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli are warning Connecticut families and students to be on the lookout for potential scams during the back-to-school shopping season, particularly when shopping online. — an announcement from the Governor’s Office

“Consumers should always be mindful anytime they shop and wary of bad actors who are trying to take advantage of them, especially during busy shopping seasons like the back-to-school period,” Governor Lamont said. “Connecticut offers many protections for consumers, and we encourage everyone to know your rights and protect yourselves.”

“August creates a shopping frenzy for back-to-school supplies, from elementary school backpacks to college textbooks and dorm essentials, and unfortunately scammers will look to capitalize off last-minute shoppers seeking high-demand products,” Commissioner Cafferelli said. “The safest thing families can do is shop in-person, Cafferelli said. “Inspect or test out the item, keep your receipts, and clarify the store’s return policy.

Public Safety
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Jeep Stolen Overnight on Bittersweet Lane, Other Vehicles Entered Overnight Two Days Before That

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A Jeep Grand Cherokee was stolen overnight last week on Bittersweet Lane, and elsewhere in town, on a different night last week, vehicles were entered overnight, resulting in at least one theft, Darien police said. All the vehicles were unlocked. Police gave this account of the incidents:

The Grand Cherokee was stolen overnight Saturday to Sunday, Aug. 9 to 10. The keys to the vehicle were “possibly inside” it, police said in a news release.

Public Safety
Roses placed 9/11 Memorial ceremony

9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Coming Next Month at the Memorial Behind Middlesex School

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Darien’s September 11th Memorial Observation Ceremony will start at 8:25 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 11 and last 35 minutes at the town’s 9/11 monument behind Middlesex Middle School. The town Monuments and Ceremonies Commission invites you to participate. The ceremony, taking place 24 years since the massacres in 2001, will be at the town’s 9/11 Monument, located in the courtyard behind Middlesex Middle School on Hollow Tree Ridge Road. Since the date this year falls on Thursday, school will be in session, and those attending the event are asked to park in the rear lot.