David Klash, 49, of 173 Meriden Ave., Southington was arrested on Dec. 15 and charged with breach of peace and second degree threatening after he made some threats against school officials at John F. Kennedy Middle School.

According to Southington police, on Dec. 15, the school resource officer at Kennedy was investigating an issue between two students at the school. As part of the investigation, Klash was contacted and was speaking to the principal, vice principal, and SRO via speaker phone. Police said Klash became irate and began screaming that the situation was being handled unfairly. Police accused Klash of making several threats towards the school and school personnel.  

Based on the comments made to school officials, police said officers attempted to locate Klash. He was located a short time later in Middletown and taken into custody by the Middletown Police Department.

Police said Klash was subsequently turned over to Southington Police Department and was charged. Police said Klash was released on $100,000 bond and was given a court date of Jan. 5.

The Southington High School teacher who caused a firestorm of viral comments on the internet after he allegedly arrived to class intoxicated was arrested last Friday.

Police said that at approximately 6:45 a.m. Dec. 9, John Edward Hansen Jr., 47, of New Haven surrendered to the Southington Police Department after learning there was an active warrant for his arrest.

Police said the warrant stems from an incident that occurred at the Southington High School Nov. 6. Police said the warrant said SHS administration received reports that Hansen was acting differently in class and that he was possibly impaired. SHS administration removed Hansen from the classroom and he was transported to a medical facility.

Police said Hansen was processed and charged with disorderly conduct. Hansen was released on a court set promise to appear with an appearance date of Dec. 22 for Bristol Superior Court.

There are 600 families that will have toys under their tree as a result of the Southington Police Department’s Stuff a Cruiser Toy Drive. Southington Community Services said, in a press release, that the event was the most successful toy drive to date. From left, Master Stt. Kahn, Officer Gorr, Ben Gorr, Officer Gallo, and Nathan Gorr.

The Southington Police Department announced an arrest in connection with the Dec. 22 bomb threat at Southington High School.

Benjamin Egan, 18, of Southington was arrested at 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 23 and charged with threatening in the first degree and breach of peace in the second degree.

In a press release, the Police said that the investigation revealed that Egan used his cell phone and an anonymous social media app named Yik Yak to post the message, “Im going to set off b ombs today and a half of tomorrow at shs!”

Egan was released on a $10,000 bond pending a Bristol Superior Court appearance on Jan. 5.

A Southington woman was arrested Tuesday night after she drove her car through the Paul Heights home of her estranged husband, reported Southington police.

Jennifer Luisi, 31, of Southington was charged with criminal violation of a protective Order, reckless endangerment first degree, criminal mischief first degree, breach of peace second degree, and driving under the influence.

Police said they received a call at 9:04 p.m .about a verbal argument at 55 Paul Heights. While en-route to the scene, officers were told by dispatch that the situation escalated and that a vehicle was being driven on the front lawn of the home and was then driven into the home.

Upon arrivalat 55 Paul Heights, police said officers found that a vehicle had been driven through the front door of the home and came to rest in the living room of the home. 

Police said Luisi arrived at the house and began banging on the door attempting to speak with the victim, who was estranged husband). The victim then dialed 911, said police. Luisi reentered her vehicle and drove her vehicle into the front of the home, which was occupied by the victim.

At the time of the incident, police said, there was an active “No Contact” protective order in place between Jennifer and the victim. Officers also suspected that Luisi was under the influence of alcohol, said police. Due to the damage to the home, the Southington Fire Department and the Southington building inspector also responded to the scene. Police said the house was deemed to be structurally sound.

Police said Luisi was processed and held on a $25,000 cash or surety bond and was scheduled to appear in Bristol court today.

Jennifer Luisi

By LINDSAY CAREY
STAFF WRITER

An incident report from Southington High School reveals how the school handled an intoxicated teacher on Nov. 6 and provides details surrounding a teacher’s inappropriate behavior towards students.

Based on the report, a few teachers came to the main office to report that teacher John Hansen had caused a loud disturbance in the hall during the Pledge of Allegiance.

The teachers reported to Assistant Principal Michael Halloran the disturbance was described as mutual horseplay, between Hansen and the student, who were both laughing and smiling.

Approximately 10 minutes later, a student went directly to Halloran’s office with even more news.

“We need your help upstairs, now,” said the student, according to the incident report. “Hansen is either drunk or high. Half the class is really freaked out and the girls are scared.”

Halloran responded by removing the teacher from the classroom and escorting him to meet with Principal Dr. Martin Semmel.

According to the report, Halloran noticed Hansen was “having difficulty walking down the stairs and bumps into lockers multiple times while walking down the front hallway.” The report also said that his “speech was noticeably slurred.”

Another teacher stepped in to take over Hansen’s classroom and the school psychologist also joined the class to help students process the events, according to the incident report.

When questioned about his behavior during the Pledge of Allegiance, Hansen said “it was not malicious, but instead playful.” However, he did acknowledge his behavior with the student was inappropriate.

The report also says that Hansen said he wanted to be honest about his behavior and made a confession.

“He confirmed he had drunk a bottle of vodka the previous night and had been intoxicated,” said the report. “He stated he did not feel intoxicated at the time and denied drinking on the way to or at work this day.”

After speaking with the director of personnel, the report explained, Semmel was advised to have Hansen escorted by school staff to a medical facility for testing. Hansen was escorted to the Hospital of Central Connecticut where the report said Hansen failed a breathalyzer test.

There were reports that there was video and pictures of Hansen’s behavior being circulated on social media. According to the report, Semmel met with one of the students who had video evidence of the incident. Semmel also consulted with the substitute school resource officer.

Later that day, Semmel met with school counselors and set a plan to have all students involved in the incident meet with their counselors. Semmel also sent out an email to the parents of the students involved informing them that there was an incident and the teacher was removed immediately.

The following day, seven students from the first period class and eight students from the second period class were interviewed by two SHS assistant principals.

Some of the comments noted in the report include that Hansen’s face was “noticeably red,” he had “repeated aspects of the lesson verbatim in immediate succession,” and there was “a wet spot on his pants in the groin area.”

There also were several comments from students quoting Hansen’s profane language both while speaking to himself and directly towards students, said the report.

Although it is not clear from the report what happened to the videos taken by students, the report said video evidence from the schools surveillance was used in the investigation.

According to the incident report, the footage shows Hansen entering the building that morning with “an erratic walking pattern that included veering off and bumping into the lockers as he walked down the hall.”

The incident report also explained a DCF worker from the New Britain office took an interest in the case.

Hansen has since resigned from his position. He also surrendered to the Southington Police Department on Dec. 9, after learning there was a warrant for his arrest because of the incident. He was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.

SOUTHINGTON OBSERVER

Southington High School students were sent home early last Monday when a bomb threat posted on a social media website came to the attention of law enforcement officials. A suspicious package was found, but turned out not to be a threat, said police. In the end, no bombs were found.

Police said that on Monday, around 1:35 p.m., officers received a complaint about a bomb threat. The complainant  told officers that he was reading through the “Yik Yak” application on his cell phone and observed that an unknown / unidentified person posted, “Im going to set off b ombs today and half of tomorrow at shs!” (sic).

Police said, according to the screen shot of the message, the message was posted at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Monday

Police said the social media app is anonymous and does not require or display any user names or identifying information for the people who post messages.

Yik Yak describes the app as giving a user the ability to “Send and receive anonymous messages based on your location. No sign in, no profile, just chat with anyone around you.”

The school resource officer at SHS was advised of the threat, said SHS police. Officers and the Southington Fire Department then responded to the scene, said police.

The school’s principal, Dr. Martin Semmel, subsequently dismissed school and ordered all students and personnel to leave the building, said police.

Police said officers teamed up with members of the school administration and all conducted a cursory search of the school. During the search, a suspicious bag was located in the Agricultural Science building in room A106. The building then was evacuated and the exterior doors were locked.

Police said the Hartford Bomb Squad arrived at SHS at 4 p.m. Southington police took the bomb squad to the Agricultural Science building where they could inspect the suspicious item.

Police said the bag contained only clothing.

In addition to the bomb squad, police said a K-9 Bomb Squad Personnel from East Hartford and the State Police were dispatched to Southington. All agencies along with Hartford Bomb Squad conducted a search of the common access areas within SHS.

No explosives were located during the search, police said.

According to police, Semmel stated that custodial personnel were going to remain at the SHS throughout the night from Monday till Tuesday morning. The half day scheduled for Tuesday was not cancelled.

All law enforcement agencies were cleared from SHS at 5:10 p.m. on Monday.

A Southington man already on probation was arrested Wednesday after he stole a firearm from a relative’s house. Police are also investigating if the suspect was involved in other criminal activity.

Police said that on Dec. 24 at about 9:04 p.m. they received a complaint about a residential burglary at 93 Visconti Ave. The complainants reported that when they arrived home they found that their home had been forcibly entered and that several firearms were missing from the home, said police.

The investigation led the patrol division and detectives to Joseph Testa , who is a relative of the complainant.

Police said a search of Testa’s residence was conducted and one of the firearms that was reported stolen earlier was located within the residence.

Police said their investigation uncovered that Testa is a convicted felon and he cannot possess firearms. The other firearms that were reported stolen were not located during the search at the residence, said police.

Joseph Testa, 22, of Southington was charged with larceny sixth degree, stealing a firearm, and criminal possession of a firearm. Testa was processed and held on a $100,000 bond. Testa was scheduled to appear in Bristol Superior Court on Dec. 26.

Police said Southington detectives are currently investigating the theft in conjunction with other agencies and following up on multiple leads. This is an active and on-going investigation.

More information will be disseminated when it is deemed appropriate and will not hamper investigative efforts, said police.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Southington Police Department at (860)621-0101 or Detective Lewis Palmieri at (860)378-1646.

By LINDSAY CAREY
STAFF WRITER

David Klash, 49, of 173 Meriden Ave., Southington was arrested on Dec. 15 and charged with breach of peace and second degree threatening after he made some threats against school officials at John F. Kennedy Middle School.

According to Southington police, on Dec. 15, the school resource officer at Kennedy was investigating an issue between two students at the school. As part of the investigation, Klash was contacted and was speaking to the principal, vice principal, and SRO via speaker phone. Police said Klash became irate and began screaming that the situation was being handled unfairly. Police accused Klash of making several threats towards the school and school personnel.

Based on the comments made to school officials, police said officers attempted to locate Klash. He was located a short time later in Middletown and taken into custody by the Middletown Police Department.

Police said Klash was subsequently turned over to Southington Police Department and was charged. Police said Klash was released on $100,000 bond and was given a court date of Jan. 5.

The Southington Police Department announced multiple arrests at Motel 6 on Queen Street. On Saturday, Jan. 17, officers answered reports of a loud party at 12:45 a.m., and the investigation revealed that several minors were found to be in a motel room and in possession of alcohol.

Nine minors between the ages of 18-20 years old and two 17-year-old juveniles were found in the room.

Michael C. Huntley, 20, of Bristol; Jessica K. Calvo, 19 of Southington; Marisa Caruso, 18, of Plantsville; Lawrence J. Cardinal III, 20, of Southington; Michael McManus, 20, of Southington; Ashley Green, 19, of Bristol; Cheyenne J. Orsi, 18, of Bristol; Nicholas Roger, 20, of Southington; Domenic Luongo, 19, of Southington; and two Southington juveniles were all arrested for possession of alcohol by a minor.

By LARRY NEUMEISTER
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) _ A Connecticut woman’s claims that media outlets libeled her by refusing to delete stories about her arrest after charges were dismissed were rejected by a federal appeals court Wednesday.

The ruling by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan pertained to the August 2010 arrest of Lorraine Martin. The charges were dismissed five months later and the arrest was deemed to have never taken place according to the state’s Erasure Statute.

In an opinion written by Judge Richard Wesley, the appeals court said a lower-court judge was correct to dismiss the lawsuit, which claimed libel, negligent infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy. Local newspaper reports online quoted police as saying Martin was arrested after officers confiscated 12 grams of marijuana from her Greenwich, Connecticut, home.

The ruling by the three-judge panel acknowledged that the consequences of a criminal arrest are wide-ranging and long-lasting, even when someone is later exonerated or the charges are dismissed. But the judges said Martin misunderstood the effect of the Erasure Statute when she concluded that it made it factually false to say she was arrested.

The appeals court said the law bars the government from relying on police, court or prosecution records in a later trial and prevents judges from citing a deleted arrest to enhance a sentence for a later offense.

“The statute creates legal fictions, but it does not and cannot undo historical facts or convert once-true facts into falsehoods,” Wesley wrote. “Here, the uncontroverted fact is that Martin was arrested on Aug. 20, 2010, and that the reports of her arrest were true at the time they were published. Neither the Erasure Statute nor any amount of wishing can undo that historical truth.”

The 2nd Circuit said reasonable readers understand that some people who are arrested are guilty and others are not and that charges against some individuals are eventually dropped.

Martin’s attorney, Ryan O’Neill, said they are disappointed and are considering an appeal to the Supreme Court.

O’Neill said it should be left to a jury to decide the case.

“These stories, because of the way the Internet operates, are perpetually fresh and available on the newsstands,” he said. “There’s a reason these things are kept out there: because it attracts a lot of readers, notwithstanding that it’s old news.”

He said other news publications had in the past agreed to delete old stories or update them when circumstances change.

Martin had sued the Hearst Corp., Southern Connecticut Newspapers Inc. and Main Street Connect LLC over stories that appeared on the Internet, including accounts in the Connecticut Post, the Stamford Advocate, Greenwich Time and News 12 Interactive.

Lawyers for the media companies did not immediately return messages for comment.

The Southington Police Department responded to a report of an armed robbery at Queen Street Liquor, 1079 Queen Street, at 6:46 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29. According to a press release from the police department, the store clerk reported the store was robbed by an unknown male suspect who displayed a gun. The suspect was last seen running behind the building.

The male suspect appeared to be approximately 5’8″-5’10” and slender. He was wearing blue jeans, a black zip-up hooded sweatshirt, and black gloves. A white mask, which appeared to be a bandanna, covered his most of his face, obscuring his nose, mouth, and neck area. The suspect was wearing the hood of his sweatshirt over his head and no other personal characteristics were observed.  At this time the race of the suspect is unknown.

A Southington Police Department K-9 Unit conducted a track in the area, and the track ended in the College Ave. / Butler Ave. neighborhood. It was reported that between $500 and $600 in cash was taken during the robbery.

Anyone who may have information or who may have witnessed something suspicious in this area is asked to contact Det. Mark Beal @ 860-378-1645 or via email mbeal@southingtonpolice.org .

Robert Amnott was arrested by Southington Police on Jan. 29 for first degree possession of child pornography.

Robert Amnott, 45, of Southington turned himself into the Southington Police Department on Thursday, Jan. 29 at approximately 4:30 p.m. after being advised that there was a warrant for his arrest.

According to the police, Amnott was processed and charged with first degree possession of child pornography, and he was held on a $100,000 court set bond. Amnott was scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 30.

Police said in a press release that the charge is the result of an investigation that started during a parole visit to his residence. The arrest warrant said that, during the visit, Amnott was found accessing a computer, which was a violation of his parole.

The computer Amnott was accessing contained multiple, illegal child pornographic images.

Amnott is a registered sex offender.

Matit Mazen was arrrested on Jan. 29 for reckless endangerment, five counts of risk of injury, five counts of cruelty to persons, and two counts of third degree assault.

The Southington Police Department located Mazen Matit, 45, at his Southington residence and took him into custody on Thursday, Jan. 29, at 6:15 p.m. Matit was arrested for reckless endangerment, five counts of risk of injury, five counts of cruelty to persons, and two counts of third degree assault.

According to a police press release, Matit physically assaulted and mentally abused family members on various dates during the month of January 2015. The investigation revealed that, at one point, victims spent a number of days in their residence with no heat because Matit refused to purchase heating oil for the residence. Four of the victims are minor children.

He was held on a $100,000 cash only bond, and he is scheduled to appear in court today.

Denzel Holmes

Akbar Aiken

Elijah Aiken

The Southington Police Department (SPD) arrested three men in relation to an armed burglary at Target in Southington on Wednesday, Feb. 4. Akbar Aiken, Denzel Holmes, and Elijah Aiken were each arrested for third degree burglary, third degree conspiracy to commit criminal mischief, and second degree larceny.

According to an SPD press release, local police responded to a report of a burglary in process at Target, 600 Executive Blvd. in Southington, on Feb. 4 at approximately 12:38 a.m. It was reported that two perpetrators were inside Target , and both were observed via Target’s video surveillance system.

SPD officers arrived on scene and found a hole in the rear of the building where the suspects had fled south from the rear of the store.

Police set up a perimeter, and called in the K-9 Arno unit to follow a track that led south along the 8-Mile River. The release said that the suspects crossed the river and fled into the area of Beal Dr. and Beverly Dr. After two hours of tracking, officers located Elijah Aiken, 31, of Easton, Penn. and Denzel Holmes, 21, of Allentown, Penn. in a wooded area. AMR Ambulance was called to the scene since both suspects were exposed to extremely cold temperatures and dangerous elements.

During the investigation, officers located a suspicious vehicle in the area of Beal Dr. which was being operated by Akbar Aiken, 34 of Allentown, Penn. that was found in close proximity to both suspects.

The SPD was assisted by the both the Plainville Police Department and the Connecticut State Police in the investigation.

All three suspects were held in lieu of $250,000 bonds, and are scheduled to appear in the Bristol Court today. Elijah Aiken has outstanding extraditable felony arrest warrants in Texas and New Jersey.

The press release said that approximately 13 other Target stores along the East Coast, Florida, and Texas have been burglarized in the same manner. Police are actively investigating all incidents.

By LINDSAY CAREY
STAFF WRITER

State Rep. David Zoni is hoping to honor Lieutenant Michael Shanley, a Southington police officer who passed away last fall, by naming a local bridge in memory of Shanley. Zoni proposed renaming the westbound bridge at exit 32 on I-84 at Queen St. name after the former detective.

According to a press release, the recognition is pending approval by the Connecticut Transportation Committee.

Southington Police Chief Jack Daly said that Shanley served with the local police department for 29 years, and he supervised the detective division. Daly also shared a personal tie to Shanley that goes back to a time before they were officers.

“He was actually a good friend of mine,” said Daly. “He dedicated his life to police work, and he was very good at it.”

Daly said Shanley deserves this recognition and hopes to see the proposal pass.

“He’ll always be a part of the community, and I think this just makes it more permanent,” said the chief.

The eastbound side of the bridge at exit 32 on I-84 is named after Southington resident and State Trooper John Dolan, who passed away in 2002. Daly said that naming the westbound bridge after Shanley would be an appropriate match.

“I think it’s very fitting that his name will appear near Trooper Dolan, he was actually a good friend of his,” said Daly. “So it’s very fitting that they would be recognized right next to each other.”

Rep. Zoni shared his reasoning for pursuing this legislation.

“It is appropriate that we honor these mem who dedicated their lives to protecting the citizens of Southington and Connecticut,” said Zoni in a press release. “So, I believe it is fitting that pending approval of the legislation, both sides of the bridge at exit 32, Queen Street, will be designated to honor each of these dedicate public servants.”

According to the press release, if the proposal passes, a naming ceremony will be held later this year.

Tyler Wagoner

The Southington Police announced in a press release that Tyler Wagoner, 25, of Manchester was taken into police custody at approximately 11 p.m. on March 6 on an active warrant for first degree larceny.

The warrant alleges that between June 2014 and October 2014 Wagoner was employed as a sales representative at Dean’s Stove and Spa in Plantsville. It came to the attention of Dean’s management that during that time-frame Wagoner was selling pellet fuel for cash and keeping the money for himself.

The warrant also alleges that if Wagoner sold a pellet stove to a customer, he would offer them a discount on pellet fuel if they paid cash. When a customer agreed to pay cash for pellet fuel, he would write a pick up slip for the amount of pellets ordered. After the pellets were picked up, Wagoner would not register the transaction and keep the cash.

It was later determined the total losses incurred by Dean’s Stove and Spa were $20,122.30.

Wagoner was processed and released after posting a $5000 bond. He is scheduled to appear at the Bristol Court on March 16.

Gina Davenport

Gina Davenport, 30, of Southington was arrested by Southington police at approximately 8:15 p.m. on March 7 for second degree larceny stemming from an incident that occurred in January.

According to a police department release, the warrant alleges that Davenport was a former home health aide worker for an 82 year old when she was able to obtain the victim’s credit card number. On Jan. 5, 2015, Davenport used that card without authorization to pay an outstanding bill. The total amount of that transaction was $384.

Davenport was processed and released on a $2,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Bristol Superior Court on March 16.

Photo by Praisaeng

The Southington Police Department has announced that they will conduct a DUI enforcement checkpoint on Friday, March 20, 2015 from approximately 10 p.m. to Saturday, March 21 at approximately 2:30 a.m. The checkpoint will take place on Queen Street in the area of I-84.

This checkpoint is part of the Southington Police Department’s effort to reduce accidents and injuries related to DUI drivers and to help provide safe travel. Signs will be posted in the area advising about the checkpoint.

Lakeisha Leonard

Brenda Eason

The Southington Police Department arrested two Hartford women accused of using altered credit cards and gift cards.

Just before 6 p.m. on March 13, police responded to a call at 750 Queen Street where two women were reported using altered credit cards at Shop Rite.

According to a police press release, Lakeisha Leonard, 20, of Hartford was arrested and was charged with violation of receiving goods or services obtained by the illegal use of a credit card, 22 counts of credit card theft, illegal used of a credit card, conspiracy to commit illegal use of a credit card, third degree identity theft, conspiracy to commit third degree identity theft, criminal impersonation, and conspiracy to commit sixth degree larceny.

The police announced that Brenda Eason, 19, of Hartford was arrested and charged with receiving goods or services obtained by the illegal use of a credit card, 11 counts of credit card theft, illegal use of credit card, conspiracy to commit illegal use of a credit card, third degree identity theft, conspiracy to commit third degree identity theft, sixth degree larceny, and conspiracy to commit sixth degree larceny.

According to the report, Leonard attempted to buy gift cards with an altered credit card, but the numbers on the front of the card did not match the numbers on the magnetic stripe on the back of the card. Police said that, during the investigation, Leonard provided a Connecticut learner’s permit as identification, which wasn’t her.

The police said that Eason was able to complete a purchase of approx. $27 worth of merchandise using a similar altered gift card.

Further investigation showed that both females had numerous gift cards in their belongings. These cards were checked through a card reader. The report indicated that Leonard was in possession of twenty one re-encoded gift cards and a re-encoded credit card. The police went on to say that Eason was in possession of ten re-encoded gift cards and one re-encoded credit card.

Both women posted a $20,000 bond and are scheduled to appear in Bristol Superior Court on March 23, 2015.