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Dog Bites Child on Hillcrest Avenue

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[The NewCanaanite.com Summer Internship Program is sponsored by Karp Associates.]
New Canaan Police cited and fined a local woman this month after her dog was accused of running off-property and biting a boy. At around 8:15 a.m. on July 3 (a Thursday), an officer met with a New Canaan man after his son had been bit by a “one year old, black, male Labrador Retriever mix type dog”, according to an incident report written by Animal Control Officer Sean Godejohn and obtained by NewCanaanite.com through a public records request. The boy’s father told Officer Nicole Vartuli that the incident occurred on Hillcrest Avenue, “when a dog came off the property and bit his son, leaving a scratch on his left arm,” the report said. According to the report, the dog’s owner told Vartuli and Godejohn that her dog left her property and jumped on the victim, but doesn’t believe the animal bit him. The dog, “Beau,” has been “vaccinated for rabies with New Canaan Veterinary Hospital until July 25,” Godejohn’s report said.

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‘An Exceptional Level of Commitment’: NCPD Honors Officers, Citizens

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[The NewCanaanite.com Summer Internship Program is sponsored by Karp Associates.]

The New Canaan Police Department honored 12 officers, two sergeants and two lieutenants in an awards ceremony, held Thursday morning inside the agency’s newly renovated headquarters. Town residents who helped in some incidents were also presented with awards. 

The Police Department gave out seven awards in total, including Unit Citation awards, Firearm Proficiency awards, Physical Fitness awards, Medical Awards, Meritorious Duty awards, the Civilian Award of Excellence, and the prestigious Stephen W. Wood Officer of the Year Award. 

Lt. Jason Ferraro, Sgt. Thomas Callinan and Officers Jeffrey Pollock, Matthew Marzano, Robert Rizzitelli, Annamaria Ceci, Nicholas Rienzi and Mairee Castro were presented the Unit Citation awards, Police Chief John DiFederico said at the awards ceremony, held in the training room at NCPD. 

“I am pleased to acknowledge your exceptional work and efforts during the 3-11 shift on May 24, 2024,” he said. 

DiFederico referred to three incidents where the team aided a male who was going through a mental health crisis, dealt with a juvenile who threatened to harm another and handled a sensitive domestic incident with professionalism and care. 

“Your performance was a testament to your dedication to duty, your capability to work seamlessly as part of a team and your adept application of tactical training in real world scenarios,” the chief said. The department holds award ceremonies periodically for officers doing outstanding work. On Thursday, those in attendance included the families of those receiving awards, several police officers and First Selectman Dionna Carlson and Police Commission Chair Paul Foley.

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Police: Bridgeport Man Stole $11,000 from Patients at Residential Treatment Facility

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A Bridgeport man stole money from two patients at a residential treatment facility this spring and was arrested Tuesday, police said. New Canaan police described what happened with this account, including accusations not proven in court:

Police received complaints about identity theft from patients at the facility on March 28 and April 18. The 29-year-old man, an employee at the facility where both patients were being treated, stole over $11,000. The money was used to buy items on Amazon Marketplace. He used some of the funds opened an account with Southern Connecticut Gas for a home in Bridgeport.

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Police: New Canaan Boy, 14, Shoplifts Sunglasses from Gas Station

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A 14-year-old New Canaan boy was caught stealing a pair of sunglasses Thursday evening, July 27 at a downtown gas station, police said. The boy paid for two items at the Mobil gas station at 16 South Ave., but took the sunglasses, priced at $10.62, without paying, according to New Canaan police. When police arrived, the boy was inside the store. He was issued a juvenile summons charging him with sixth-degree larceny and released to the custody of his parents, police said.