Hartford police have arrested a man accused of selling large amounts of heroin throughout the city's south end.

Luis Santos, 45, of Vernon Street in Hartford, was arrested Wednesday and charged with possession of narcotics and sale of narcotics.

Police said the arrest is the result of an investigation by the Hartford Police Vice and Narcotics Unit. According to police, investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Santos as part of their investigation. Santos was arrested by warrant in his vehicle in front of 252 Putnam Street on Aug. 31. Police said he had 1,000 bags of heroin in the vehicle at the time.

Detectives also searched a Manchester hotel room connected to Santos and found $2080 and packaging materials, police said. A search of Santos’ home address turned up $7040. According to police, investigators had previously found 200 bags of heroin.

Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine slammed Donald Trump for "choking" during his Wednesday meeting with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, calling the trip across the southern U.S. border "diplomatic amateur hour."

The Virginia senator questioned the odds that Trump would have avoided saying anything about who would pay for the border wall while mocking the conflicting accounts over whether the wall came up during the sit-down.

The Republican presidential nominee has made the wall — and Mexico paying for it — a core element in his campaign. Trump said it didn't come up in his meeting Wednesday with Peña Nieto. But Pena Nieto tweeted that he had told Trump that Mexico wouldn't pay for the wall.

"I find that kind of ridiculous," Kaine said Thursday on NBC's "Today" show. "Even if it didn't come up, he choked and forgot to say that to the president of Mexico after he's been saying it every day for the last many months?"

Kaine told Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie that even if Trump's account is accurate, it showed he "folded under pressure" and "didn't have the backbone" to discuss the issue with the Mexican president.

"When he's looking the leader of Mexico in the eye, he can't bring himself to say it," Kaine said.

Lauer challenged Kaine's notion that the meeting was amateur diplomacy, noting that a "toned down" Trump appeared presidential alongside the Mexican leader.

"You know, I think the important thing about leadership is you got to be consistent. You can't say different things to different audiences," Kaine said. "And so, you know, he came back across the border and then it was all about Mexico is going to build a wall. Mexico is going to pay for it. He was divisive. He basically says America is going to be deportation nation. But when he's looking the leader of Mexico in the eye, he can't bring himself to say it."

Ask by Guthrie whether Trump prevailed in the war for optics by traveling to Mexico while Clinton spent the greater part of the last week fundraising in the Hamptons, Kaine challenged that assumption.

"I don't think so. Again, just do the contrast, the 24 hours of yesterday," Kaine said. "Donald Trump choked on the fundamental promise that he's making in this campaign when he had the opportunity to talk to the foreign leader about it by his words he didn't bring it up, by the leader's words, yeah, no did come up and I told Trump we're not paying for your wall. So that just shows that I think kind of not ready for prime-time but then back over on this side of the border, he just doubles down on this divisive deportation nation strategy."

Kaine also addressed recent polls that show a tightening race between the two White House hopefuls. Although Clinton maintains a lead over Trump, her favorability rates are decreasing. 

"I've always assumed this race would be hard," he said. "We’re feeling good about our position in a number of the true battleground states, but we do not feel any sense of complacency."

A 48-year-old bicyclist sustained serious injuries during a crash in East Haven on Wednesday afternoon and he is in critical condition. 

Police said they responded to Forbes Place at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday to investigate after a car and bicycle collided. The 23-year-old man who was driving the car was not injured, police said. 

The 48-year-old man on the bike. Dominic Mongillo, of New Haven, had serious injuries and was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital. 

Mongillo is in critical condition.

Police are investigating and ask anyone who witnessed the crash or who has any information should call Officer Consolati at (203) 468-3820.

The Connecticut law that allows children with serious medical conditions to obtain medical marijuana goes into effect next month and the pre-registration process begins today. 

The state Department of Consumer Protection has opened its medical marijuana registration system for patients under the age of 18 so children can be fully registered by Oct.1, when the laws goes into effect, and able to immediately access it. 

Patients under 18 can register if they have conditions including Cerebral Palsy, Cystic Fibrosis, irreversible spinal cord injury with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity, severe epilepsy, a terminal illness requiring end-of-life care or uncontrolled intractable seizure disorder. 

“We are pleased to put these common sense, compassionate changes to Connecticut’s Medical Marijuana Program into action,” Consumer Protection Commissioner Jonathan A. Harris said in a statement. “In one month patients under the age of 18 with severe debilitating conditions will finally get the medication they need. I am proud of the work our staff at DCP has done to make sure the registration process is up and running so patients can get the medication they need on the first day possible.” 

Some opponents of the legislation said providing pediatric patients access to medical marijuana could lead to the prescriptions being used as a gateway to other drugs, like opiates. Others said the harm from “mind-damaging substances” could be worse than underlying conditions. 

Proponents said they heard from many anguished parents about their children's suffering from conditions, such as extreme seizures, being eased by the drug. 

Patients under 18 are not able to obtain their medication in a smoke-able, inhalable or vaporizable form.

For a child to register for the medical marijuana program, the legal guardian for the patient must have the pediatric patient’s primary care provider and a physician who is board-certified in an area of medicine involved in the treatment of the debilitating condition. Parents or guardians must certify that the patient has one of the qualifying conditions and that the use of medical marijuana is in the patient’s best interest, register as a primary caregiver, complete the qualifying patient application and select a licensed, in-state dispensary facility to obtain the medication. 

Instructions on how to register pediatric patients can be found on the Department’s website.

Within months after leaving her post as Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton sent through her private server an email to state officials and diplomats that referenced a nuclear energy deal with the United Arab Emirates, NBC News reported. The email was heavily redacted to secure information that has been classified in the years since it was sent in May 2013.

A spokesperson for the State Department, John Kirby, explained that while the email was not classified when it was sent, “our FOIA process is focused on whether information needs to be protected today, not on whether an email was classified at the time it was sent.”

In the email, sent out to various high-level officials and staff, including top aide Huma Abedin, Clinton referenced a 2009 pact between the U.S. and UAE: “remember how after US signed 123 deal (with) UAE and we were in Abu Dhabi,” the email reads.

The National Republican Committee filed a Freedom of Information Act request for documents Clinton sent in years directly following her tenure as secretary of state. More than 800 pages of emails have been provided so far.

The liquor store Total Wine & More has agreed to stop selling alcoholic beverages for lower than the state of Connecticut’s minimum pricing laws allow, according to the Department of Consumer Protection. 

The state launched an investigation into Total Wine & More advertising and selling alcoholic liquor below the minimum price rules set out in the Liquor Control Act and said the company agreed to immediately stop all such advertisements and sales at all four of its Connecticut retail stores and to pay a total of $37,500, state officials said. 

The state investigation came after Total Wine & More filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s minimum price requirements for wine and spirits and officials from the Department of Consumer Protection said this decision does not affect the lawsuit. 

Officials from the Department of Consumer Protection said they will vigorously enforce the existing laws until they are amended. 

“Immediately upon learning that Total Wine & More was advertising and selling products below what is permitted by the State’s minimum price rules, DCP’s Liquor Control Division opened an investigation,” Commissioner Jonathan Harris said in a statement. “I am pleased that, through the hard work of many people at DCP, we were able to resolve this issue swiftly, and I appreciate that Total Wine worked with us to come to an agreement.” 

Total Wine & More Vice President of Public Affairs Edward Cooper issued a statement that read in part:

"Total Wine & More offered, and DCP accepted, an offer in compromise in the amount of $9,375 for each of the four Total Wine & More stores being investigated for sales below cost prohibited. The offer settles DCP’s inquiry without need for a formal administrative hearing and Total Wine & More makes no admission of any wrongdoing or liability and DCP does not find there to be any wrongdoing or liability on Total Wine & More’s part. Total Wine & More continues to pursue its federal lawsuit – Connecticut Fine Wine & Spirits, LLC d/b/a Total Wine & More v. Jonathan Harris, et al. – on behalf of the customers of Connecticut."

Emergency crews responded to the area of Old Gate Lane near East Town Road in Milford because of a gas leak, but they are now clearing the scene.

The quarterback at the center of a firestorm because he says he will sit on the bench during the national anthem to stand up for the rights of people of color, has sparked a new discussion — this time over his socks.

Photos of San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick at an Aug. 10 training session at Kezar Stadium and other practices are now surfacing, showing him wearing black socks with pigs wearing police hats — an obvious dig at police officers.

"I wore these socks, in the past," Kaepernick wrote on Instagram Thursday, "because the rogue cops that are allowed to hold positions in police departments, not only put the community in danger, but also put the cops that have the right intentions in danger by creating an environment of tension and mistrust. I have two uncles and friends who are police officers and work to protect and serve ALL people. So before the socks, which were worn before I took my public stance, are used to distract from the real issues, I wanted to address this immediately."

In the 16th century, the term pig was derogatory for all people, and then years later, became a popular and unflattering nickname for police officers, according to the Dictionary of Bucking Slang, University Wit and Pickpocket Eloquence published in 1811.

For its part, the San Francisco police officers union has demanded an apology from Kaepernick for not standing during the national anthem. President Martin Halloran invited Kaepernick to a training academy to see what a police officer's daily life is like.

There was no immediate comment from the union on the socks. But the tweets and the digs flew as far away as Vermont, where the Burlington Police Department tweeted: "Wearing 'pig socks' cannot be compared to protesting oppression in broad, powerful messages like Ali, Smith & Carlos. Inspiring vs. crass."

The socks saga followedwhat Kaepernick told reporters in the locker room on Sunday, when he talked about his disdain for the practices of many in law enforcement, reported CSN Bay Area.

“There is police brutality,” Kaepernick said. “People of color have been targeted by police. So that’s a large part of it and they’re government officials. They are put in place by the government. So that’s something that this country has to change.

"There are things we can do to hold them more accountable. Make those standards higher. You have people that practice law and are lawyers and go to school for eight years, but you can become a cop in six months and don’t have to have the same amount of training as a cosmetologist. That’s insane. Someone that’s holding a curling iron has more education and more training than people that have a gun and are going out on the street to protect us.”

Amid the criticism over his protest, many veterans this week used the Twitter hashtag #VeteransforKaepernick, saying that they are behind the player's right to express himself. 

Kaepernick has said that he has "great respect for the men and women who have fought for this country" and his protest is not anti-military.

A test of how football fans will respond could come Thursday night. Kaepernick is set to be in San Diego when the 49ers play the Chargers in an annual Salute to the Military game.

The idea behind the salute is to pay "tribute to the hundreds of thousands of current and retired military personnel who live and work in San Diego," the Chargers said in a news release this week.

In San Diego, the national anthem will be performed by Petty Officer 1st Class Steven Powell from the U.S. Navy while 240 sailors, marines and soldiers present a U.S. Super Flag and service emblems from all branches of service. Color guards from the Navy, Marine Corps and Army will present the flag, the Chargers said.

The U.S. Coast Guard is preparing for a busy Labor Day weekend, along with the threat of Tropical Storm Hermine affecting Connecticut. 

After reviewing the latest radar, Captain Andrew Tucci said Saturday morning looks like it will be great boating weather, but by late Saturday afternoon, the wind could pick up to 20 to 25 knots, which could spell trouble for small boaters. 

“Just keep an eye on that, especially those smaller boats like paddle boats and kayaks, easily overcome by some seas and winds that might pick up," Tucci said. 

Tucci said boaters should check the weather before leaving the dock and continuously monitor the conditions while on the water. 

He also recommends inspecting your boat now, especially if it is docked. 

“We don't want the rain to overcome any of that or the wind. So even if you're not going out, it's a good time to make sure your boat is in good condition and safely moored," Tucci said. 

The Coast Guard also recommends: 

Always wear a life jacket

• Take a VHF-FM marine radio because cell phones may lose signal
• Bring signal flares and an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) to alert first responders
• Never boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Let a friend or family member on shore know your plan 

“We want boaters to have a great Labor Day weekend and a safe Labor Day weekend," Tucci said.

Route 81 in Killingworth is closed after a car struck a pole, according to state police.

State police said the accident happened around 1:30 p.m. Thursday. As of 4:30 p.m. the accident had been cleared but the road remained closed while crews worked to repair damage to the pole. The road is closed at Pond Meadow Road.

Police said there were injuries from the crash but details on the severity were not immediately available.

Check back for updates.

Obesity rates in Minnesota, Montana, New York and Ohio fell — the first time that any state has seen a decrease in the past decade, according to a report released Thursday, NBC News reported.

For the majority of U.S. states, obesity rates for American adults remained stable between 2014 and 2015, according to the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation annual report.

Meanwhile Kansas and Kentucky saw increases in their rates of obesity.

"Obesity remains one of the most significant epidemics our country has faced, contributing to millions of preventable illnesses and billions of dollars in avoidable health care costs," said Richard Hamburg, interim president of the Trust for America's Health.

People are considered overweight when their BMI hits 25, and they are obese when it gets to 30.

Police have arrested a third suspect in an armed robbery at the Wal-Mart in Milford on June 16.

Anthony Johnson, 21, of New Haven, is the third person to be charged in the robbery. He was arrested on Thursday.

Police previously arrested Robert Covington, 25, of New Haven, and a Wal-Mart employee. 21-year-old Kayla Marzano, of West Haven.

Police said Covington went to the service desk, implied he had a gun in his waistband, demanded money and left before police arrived.

He has been charged with second-degree robbery, third-degree larceny, second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery and third-degree conspiracy to commit larceny. 

Marzano was charged with second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery and third-degree conspiracy to commit robbery.

Johnson has been charged with second-degree robbery, second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, third-degree larceny and third-degree conspiracy to commit larceny. 

He was unable to post $50,000 bond and appeared in Milford Court today.

A suspect who fled as state troopers were trying to serve a warrant for third-degree assault, risk of injury and failure to appear charges in Griswold is in custody after a more than four hour search.

Police said they received a tip at 10:45 a.m. that a person with two outstanding warrants was on Stone Hill Road in Griswold, so troopers responded to try and find the person, but the suspect ran before the warrant was served.

The person, who has not been identified, was taken into custody at 2:50 p.m. 

The first day of school in New Haven was a source of excitement for kids across the Elm City despite the rain that greeted many of them as they began the school day Thursday.

Around 21,000 kids will begin classes in New Haven public schools this year. The school system wants to start the year off on a high note, by building on the successes of the last school year. They launched a campaign, “#StartStrong” aimed at addressing the needs of the entire student.

In an interview with NBC Connecticut, superintendent Garth Harries said the district has made strides in reducing its drop-out and chronic attendance rates, but wants to do better. Through #StartStrong, they want to address the needs of students both in the classroom and at home to guarantee success.

“If they don’t feel cared for, they’re not going to be ready to learn and we want to make sure they feel cared for when they come to our schools. We have made a lot of progress in this district on graduation, on test scores, we have to continue that” said Harries. He says that means addressing the wellness, cultural and academic needs of every student enrolled all school year long.

Students who spoke to NBC Connecticut told us they were excited about the first day.

“It’s fun because we get to do everything and learn and be good” said Bernard Davis who is beginning first grade at Elm City College Preparatory Elementary School.

“I’m feeling a little anxious because I’m scared and I don’t know a lot of people. I’m ready to come here and get an education that I should be getting” said Briana Fuller, a new freshman at Hill Regional Career High School. She hopes to become a pediatrician one day.

“I’ll meet a lot of new people and have more new friends” Emore’j Bennerman, a fourth grader at Wexler-Grant School.

The West Haven Public Schools are launching a new campaign aimed at combatting chronic absenteeism. It’s named after the age-old response from students around the world when their teachers take attendance—Here!

“You’ve got to be there, everyday” Neil Cavallaro said while discussing the new initiative with NBC Connecticut.

The district has planned a series of things to acknowledge students with good and improving attendance, while working with the families of those who continue to struggle.

The youngest students are receiving calendar cards that will be stamped by teachers after every week of attendance. Kids with perfect and improving attendance will receive prizes and notes will also be sent home with children who have good attendance to remind parents that their kids are on the right track.

In 2015, 17 percent of West Haven students were considered chronically absent. That number was reduced to 10 percent in the 2016 school year. Now school leaders want it even lower.

The schools have a social media campaign, robo-calls home and letters to spread the word about Here! to parents.

“We’ve done a number of phone messages to our families to encourage them to get to school, come to school ready to learn day one” Cavallaro said.

Teachers in West Haven said students who miss even a few days of school each year are at a disadvantage and often struggle to keep up with coursework and their classmates.

“When one student or several students are out regularly, it’s tough to keep them on pace with the rest of the class,” said Betsy Bruneau, who teaches special education at West Haven High School and is also a part of the school’s attendance committee.

Educators said when students fall behind, that can lead to a snowball effect because students start to feel badly about themselves and then miss more school because of it.

In West Haven, they’ll also be working with students who continue to be chronically absent.

They said reasons for students missing school can range from oversleeping to a lack of clean clothing and insufficient school supplies as well as personal, financial or childcare responsibilities at home.

“The message that we want to send to them is we have resources and we have people that can help you” the superintendent said.

The Here! attendance program will last the entire 2016-2017 school year.

After more than three decades with the Dallas Police Department, Chief of Police David O. Brown announced his retirement Thursday, ending a six-year tenure leading the nation's seventh-largest municipal police force.

Brown, who focused on community policing and transparency while battling with police unions during his tumultuous tenure as chief, earned nationwide praise in July when he led the city's response to a deadly ambush where five officers were slain.

"After much prayer, I am announcing my retirement from the Dallas Police Department after 33 years as a Dallas police officer," Brown said in a statement on DPDBeat.com. "Serving the citizens of Dallas in this noble profession has been both a true honor and a humbling experience."

In the statement, Brown went on to thank his family as well as mayors, city managers and members of the city council, past and present, for allowing him to serve.

"This is a difficult decision. I pray for your understanding and well wishes," Brown said.

Brown, who did not give a reason for the abrupt retirement, said it will become effective Oct. 22. He said he'll be unavailable until Sept. 8, at which time he'll hold a press conference to discuss his retirement.

Dallas City Manager A.C. Gonzalez credited Brown Thursday for creating a diverse police force that brought some of the lowest crime rates to Dallas since the 1930s and for outfitting 1,000 officers with body cameras while reducing the use of deadly force by a record number.

"The world learned what a superstar David is in the aftermath of one of the most painful tragedies our city has ever experienced - but we’ve known about his strengths for some time," Gonzalez said. "David is a person of high integrity, character and an unrelenting resolve to serve the citizens of Dallas in the most professional manner possible. It’s been a pleasure to work with David. We will miss his leadership."

Brown said he joined the force in 1983 because of the crack cocaine epidemic's impact on his neighborhood in Oak Cliff.

"I wanted to be part of the solution. Since that time I have taken great pride in knowing that we have always been part of the solution and helped to make Dallas the world class city it is today," Brown said.

During his career with the department, Brown lived through the murders of his former police partner, Walter Williams, and his younger brother who was shot and killed by drug dealers.

Months after being sworn in as chief, Brown's son was shot and killed in a shootout with Lancaster police after he killed a 23-year old man and a police officer.

In his six years, Brown has been a fierce supporter of his officers while facing backlash from unions over the city's low pay. While supporting the rank-and-file, he's fought tirelessly to reduce officer-involved shootings and reports of police brutality.

Following the ambush in July that killed five police officers, four from Dallas and one from DART, Brown defended the plan to kill the gunman using an explosive device on a robot, saying it was the only way to protect officers from further harm since the gunman, claimed to have planted bombs around the area and threatened to hurt more people. Brown said that he would make the same decision again.

Brown has historically been quick to credit his officers for 11 straight years of a declining crime rate. When the trend in violent crime was reversed earlier this year, friction developed between Brown and officers on how to staff and combat the issue. Meanwhile, violent crime remains up 10.4 percent year to date, despite an eight-week partnership with state and county officers earlier in 2016 to help round-up suspects. Homicide is up 24.7 percent so far in 2016. Overall crime is up 2.5 percent.

Another recent report shows the Dallas police force is shrinking. The Dallas police authorized force of 3,520 was just 3,375 as of Aug. 9. Officers leaving the force outpaced hiring by 116 so far this year. The number of police civilian employees has also declined, leaving more work for sworn officers.

The tragedy in July resulted in big support for the department and a huge increase in applications to join the force — especially after Brown's call to the community to support the police, join the department and be a force for change. The department hoped to hire 549 officers in 2017 making up for those who leave while also increasing current strength by 200; that plan may now be spread out over three years.

Union leaders were quick to say meeting those hiring numbers would be difficult with the low pay offered by the department.

As chief, Brown commanded a department of more than 4,000 employees with an annual budget of $426 million.

There are 25 deputy chiefs or assistant chiefs in the Dallas Police Department who could be likely candidates to replace Brown. The city will undoubtedly also look outside of the department for his replacement. Meantime, Gonzalez has named Assistant Chief David Pughes as interim Police Chief upon Brown's retirement.

Check back and refresh this page for the latest update. As this story is developing, elements may change.

The month of August ended as the deadliest Chicago has seen in nearly two decades, and while Chicago's top cop claims "the solution is right in front of our faces," he said it isn't the national guard.

The last 31 days saw 384 shooting incidents with 472 shooting victims and 90 homicides, the most killings in one month since October 1997.

"I'm sick and tired of it and everybody in Chicago should be sick and tired of it," Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said before repeating his claims that the violence in the city is perpetuated by repeat gun offenders. 

"I have to keep going back to the fact that the entire city of Chicago is not at risk for these types of things," he said. 

Johnson, who is working with local officials to draft a bill that would encourage higher sentencings for repeat gun offenders, said just 15 percent of the victims of violence so far this year were "the good people of Chicago." 

The remaining 85 percent were "the same group of people that choose that lifestyle."

The spiking violence numbers have prompted calls for city officials to bring in the national guard.

"We have the fire of violence and gunfire, we have the flood of blood in our streets and we have communities that look like third world countries, look like it must have had a tornado that hit it or a hurricane," outspoken priest Father Michael Pfleger said during a rally at his South Side church Wednesday. "You can’t tell people to take pride in your neighborhood when your neighborhood looks like it's been abandoned and it’s not part of the United States of America."

But Johnson, along with Gov. Bruce Rauner, have denied that the national guard will help the situation in Chicago. 

"They’re not trained to deal with domestic issues like this," Johnson said. "They don’t have arrest powers, there’s just too much that could go into that that I don’t think would benefit us."

Rauner said the idea "wouldn't make sense," adding that "no thoughtful leader thinks that's a good idea or would really provide a solution."

He said his team has analyzed and discussed the idea, but, "in fact, it may exacerbate the other problems. So, nobody thinks that's a good idea."

According to Chicago police statistics, there have been 2,346 shooting incidents and more than 470 homicides so far this year. That's more killings than New York City and Los Angeles combined.

Authorities have blamed access to illegal guns, repeat offenders and not enough penalties for gun offenses for the city’s rising number of shootings.

"The solution is right in front of our faces, we just have to make a choice to deal with it," Johnson said, noting that several cities have stricter penalties for gun offenders than Chicago.

"All I’m asking for is to hold the repeat gun offenders. I’m not trying to cast a net over the city of Chicago but the guys that continually show us that they don’t respect the rules those are the ones we should go after," he added. 

The city’s violence has been spotlighted nationwide, with comments from celebrities including Donald Trump, Kanye West and Jabari Parker.

Over the weekend, Chicago Bulls star Dwyane Wade spoke out about the city’s crime after his cousin, Nykea Aldridge, was fatally shot while pushing a stroller on the city’s South Side.

"The city of Chicago is hurting. We need more help& more hands on deck. Not for me and my family but for the future of our world. The YOUTH!" Wade tweeted Saturday morning.

Aldridge was among 10 people killed over the weekend. More than 50 others were wounded in shootings across the city.

But while Johnson said legislation is "one part of the solution," he noted it isn't the only answer.

"Let’s face it, the violence in Chicago is not a police issue it’s societal ills that are driving a lot of this, but unfortunately law enforcement has nothing to do with that," he said. 

In a speech focusing on immigration Wednesday in Arizona, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump lambasted the media for not reporting "the facts" he felt were relevant to the national conversation on immigration.

But many of Trump's own facts were misleading and inaccurate, obscuring truth in a debate both parties agree is necessary.

NBC News took a look at what Trump said about legal and illegal immigration.

WHAT TRUMP SAID: "Mexico will pay for the wall."

THE FACTS: Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto has said he reiterated to Trump that his nation would not pay for the wall.

Two men from California have been sentenced for their involvement in a mortgage loan scheme that affected homeowners in Connecticut and across the country, according to the US Attorney’s office.

Serj Geutssoyan, also known as Anthony Kirk, 32, of Santa Ana, was sentenced to 52 months in prison, and Daniel Shiau, also known as Scott Decker, 30, of Irvine, was sentenced to 58 months.

According to the US Attorney’s office, Geutssoyan and Shiau worked as members of a sales team for a series of California-based companies run by Aria Maleki that promised to offer home mortgage loan modifications and debt relief services to homeowners in exchange for fees. The fees ranged from around $2,500 to $4,300.

Investigators said the defendants claimed that customers were already approved for mortgage loan modifications, or that they’d negotiated with the homeowners’ lenders or qualified for government assistance to get victims to pay the fees. According to investigators, the defendants scammed more than 1,000 homeowners out of more than $3 million collectively.

Prosecutors said that Geutssoyan and Shiau were paid on commission and earned between 45 percent to 50 percent of the final fee.

On January 21, Maleki, Geutssoyan, Shiau and four other California residents were charged with conspiracy and fraud offenses. They were arrested on January 26.

According to the US Attorney’s office, Maleki, Geutssoyan and Shiau each plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

Maleki was sentenced to 112 months of imprisonment in July. The four other defendants also plead guilty and await sentencing.

A Good Samaritan is being credited with putting out a fire at a gas station in North Haven, according to the fire department.

The North Haven Fire Department said they responded Thursday to 342 Washington Avenue for a two-car accident. Fire officials said one of the cars jumped the sidewalk and struck a fuel pump before catching fire. A passerby grabbed one of the fire extinguishers at the gas station and put out the flames.

Fire officials said it could have been much worse, but a safety shut-off valve at the pump kicked in when it was knocked over.

Two people were treated for injuries at the scene.