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Couple Arrested After Having Sex in Car as Child Watched: PD

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A man and a woman accused of engaging in some sort of sexual activity in a car in a McDonald’s parking lot in Orange as a 6-year-old child watched from the back seat have been arrested, according to police. 

Officers responded to the parking lot of the McDonald’s on the Boston Post Road just after 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15 after employees who were leaving for the night saw two people engaged in sexual activity in the front seats of the car while a small child sat in the back, watching, according to police. 

Police said the child was awake and alert when officers arrived and the woman, 28-year-old Kimberly Onorato, of Bristol, was partially undressed. 

Onorato and 27-year-old Rory Clark, of West Haven, told police they had been “cuddling” after eating at McDonald’s, police said, but witnesses provided a different story. 

Police took Onorato and Clark into custody and the child was placed in the custody of a relative. Police also notified the state department of Children and Families. 

Clark and Onorato were charged with second-degree breach of peace and impairing the morals of a minor. 

Clark was released after posting a $5,000 bond and is due back in court on Dec. 15. It’s not clear if he has an attorney. 

Onorato was also released after posting $5,000 bond and is due in court on Dec. 8. It's not clear if she has an attorney.



Photo Credit: Orange Police
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Canterbury Woman Arrested on Heroin Charges

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Connecticut state police have arrested a Canterbury woman on heroin charges as part of an ongoing effort to combat narcotic use.

According to police, the Troop D Quality of Life Task Force (QLTF) was conducting surveillance at the Cumberland Farms on Route 14 in Canterbury after reports of drug activity in the parking lot.

Troopers followed a suspicious vehicle and after observing several traffic violations the driver was pulled over.

The driver, identified as Dorinna Jones, 31 admitted to having heroin, police said. Troopers seized numerous bags of prepackaged heroin from her.

Jones was charged with possession of heroin and released on a $2,500 bond. She is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 30.



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

4 Arrested Following New London PD Narcotics Investigation

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New London police have arrested four people as the result of a months-long investigation into drug use in the city.

On Monday, police served a search and seizure warrant at 10 Sherman Street and found crack cocaine as well as packaging and processing materials.

Four people were arrested on various charges.

JoQuin Riley, 21 was charged with possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, operating a drug factory, interfering with a search warrant and risk of injury to a minor. Riley was also charged with other narcotics related charges on a separate arrest warrant.

Rayquaiwn Riley, 22, was charged with possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, operating a drug factory, interfering with a search warrant and risk of injury to a minor.

Anthony Hodges, 21, was charged with possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, operating a drug factory, interfering with a search warrant and risk of injury to a minor.

Sydney Zeppieri, 20, was charged with interfering with a search warrant and risk of injury to a minor.



Photo Credit: New London Police Department

Quick Bout of Wintry Mix Thanksgiving Morning

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Warmer air moving in aloft will trigger a bout of wintry mix Thanksgiving morning.

While very little, if any snow, accumulation is expected, it will come at a time when many people are traveling for Thanksgiving.

And it doesn't take much to make the back roads slick, especially with temperatures starting out in the 20s.

So, plan on slippery travel in some towns. It shouldn't be a widespread event, at least in the morning.

Later in the day, more widespread rain will move in. In the highest terrain, the rain may be freezing rain for a time.

Highs on Thanksgiving will only be in the lower 40s.

Showers stick around Friday, and a period of heavy rain is possible before sunrise Saturday.

The rest of the weekend appears mostly cloudy, with temperatues in the middle 40s.

Dow Closes Above 19K for First Time

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Dow Jones industrial average closed above 19,000 for the first time ever in it's 120-year history as a post-election rally continues to push market into record territory. Discount store chains made large gains, but health care companies tumbled, The Associated Press reported.

"What we're seeing is a shift in the sectors that are participating" in this rally, said Quincy Krosby, market strategist at Prudential Financial. "It hasn't been parabolic in some sectors."

The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq composite also closed at all-time highs, CNBC reported. 

Tuesday's record-setting session came a day after the three major indexes, along with the small-caps Russell 2000, closed at all-time highs. Monday's rally was led by oil, which rose nearly 4 percent to lift energy stocks.

The Dow has closed at a record high six times in the two weeks since the presidential election, but trading volume has fallen in recent days. U.S. trading will be closed Thursday for Thanksgiving and markets will close early on Friday.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Old Saybrook Police Arrest Suspects in BB Gun Shootings

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Old Saybrook police have arrested two men and the mother of one of the suspects after an investigation into several BB gun shootings in Old Saybrook and several other shoreline towns, according to police.

Police in multiple towns were investigating after a slew of vehicles were damaged by pellet guns and Clinton police said they received a tip around 10 p.m. Monday from someone who identified one of the people.

That information was relayed to Old Saybrook police, who took 20-year-old Garrett Bush and 20-year-old Maxwell Bravi into custody.

No people were hit during the BB gun shootings, but the suspects damaged several homes and vehicles. Police said the suspects also confessed to similar crimes in Waterford, Clinton, East Lyme, along I-95 and at the Mohegan Sun Casino.

On Monday night, Old Saybrook police responded to the Cornfield Point Area where, they said, BB gun pellets had been fired at homes and cars from a moving vehicle. Police later responded to a scene on Hartland Drive, where at least three vehicles and homes were shot at using a pressurized BB gun.

The incident in Clinton happened in parking lots at Shop Rite, Stop and Shop, and Clinton Crossing. 

In Waterford vehicles parked at the Crystal Mall, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Home Depot, and Lowes were damaged.

Bush was charged with criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, weapons in a motor vehicle, and conspiracy to commit those crimes. He was held on a $50,000 bond.

Bravi was charged with criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, unlawful discharge of a firearm, weapons in a motor vehicle, and conspiracy to commit those crimes. He was held on a $100,000 bond.

Bush and Bravi are also connected to a drug investigation at 19 Farview Ave. in Old Saybrook, according to police. Officers are currently executing a search warrant at Bravi's home in connection with that case.

Police have also arrested Bravi's mother, but it's not clear what she's been charged with.

Check back for updates on the developing story.



Photo Credit: Old Saybrook

Hackers Hijack Smart Devices, Analysts Warn of 'Cyber War'

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Baby monitors, thermostats, home surveillance cameras — these gadgets are not what comes to mind when picturing an evil army, but cybersecurity experts warn that malicious hackers are using common household smart devices to cause chaos and panic on the Internet, NBC 5 Chicago Investigates reported. 

“How could a baby monitor become an evil device for a hacker?” said Darren Guccione, chief executive officer of Keeper Security, Inc. “We are in a cyberwar. There is no doubt we are in a cyberwar right now.”

Guccione said hackers are placing malicious software on vulnerable smart devices — those with weak usernames and passwords — to control them and attack third-party businesses.

The result? Websites of some of the biggest corporations, such as Twitter, Netflix, Amazon, PayPal, crashed and were inaccessible for hours.

“(Hackers) are getting really sophisticated about how they do this, and that’s the dangerous thing,” said Guccione.



Photo Credit: NBC Chicago

Power Restored After Tree Falls on Wires in Cheshire

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Over 2,000 people in Cheshire were without power Tuesday morning after a tree fell on power lines Tuesday morning.

Eversource spokesman Mitch Gross confirmed the tree came down around 10:22 a.m. and knocked out power to 2,173 customers.

As of 11:09 a.m. power was restored.



Photo Credit: necn

Masked Man With Knife Robbed Krauszer’s in Hamden

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Hamden police are searching for the man who robbed Krauszer’s Market on Whitney Avenue at knifepoint Tuesday morning.

Police said a man entered the market at 3300 Whitney Ave. around 6 a.m. Tuesday and asked the clerk for cigarettes. Then, he pulled out a pocket knife and demanded money from the register. He then fled on foot.

The robber was wearing a black mask, black jacket and gray pants.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Hamden police department at 203-230-4040.

Stamford Man Killed in NYC to Be Mourned at Wake

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A wake will be held Tuesday for the 26-year-old Hofstra graduate who prosecutors say was stabbed to death in a luxury Manhattan apartment. 

The wake for Joey Comunale will be at Lacerenza Funeral Home in his hometown of Stamford, Connecticut. Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at St. Leo's Church in Stamford. 

On Monday, a grand jury indicted James Rackover, 25, on charges of concealing a human corpse, tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution. Lawrence Dilione, 28, who was also arrested last week in the death of Comunale, has waived his inital court appearance and is expected to attend a bail-related hearing Tuesday. 

Both men continue to be held on $3 million bond or $300,000 cash bail. 

Police initially arrested both men on second-degree murder charges in the death of Comunale, but prosecutors did not bring that charge against them in a criminal complaint pending further investigation. 

Police said Comunale appears to have been stabbed to death in some sort of dispute after he, Rackover, Dilione, and three women returned from the Gilded Lily nightclub on 14th Street late Saturday or early Sunday.

One official said that Comunale was stabbed sometime after the three women left Rackover’s apartment, but police aren't sure how the body was removed from the apartment and taken to a shallow grave in Oceanport, New Jersey. 

"I look forward to what our review of the evidence will reveal," Rackover’s attorney said after his client was arraigned Thursday night. 

Dilione's attorney, Daniel Parker, couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

Rackover was born James Beaudoin in Florida and has a criminal record, including for burglary. The Broward County Sheriff's office provided NBC News with several mug shots of him from as early as 2007.

He was also charged with driving while intoxicated in New York City in 2015. 

Court records shows that Beaudoin changed his last name to Rackover in 2015 after he was taken under the wing of jeweler-to-the-stars Jeffery Rackover, who owns Jeffrey Rackover Diamonds on Fifth Avenue. The two met in 2013 and became so close that Rackover referred to Beaudoin as his son, according to former NYPD detective Bo Dietl, who is a friend of the famed jeweler.

Rackover was aware of Beaudoin’s rough past and helped him get a job and an apartment in his building after meeting him, Dietl said, adding that Rackover never had kids and embraced Beaudoin as his own.

Comunale graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in legal studies in business and was an avid hockey player.

"He was one of a kind," Comunale's stunned father, Pat, told reporters from his Connecticut home last Wednesday. "We're just in denial. This is not something that happens to kids like this. I don't know if it was pre-meditated. I don't know how it happened."

"He didn't deserve this," he added. "He didn't go looking for trouble. It wasn't right. This is not right."

"Joey was very active in Stamford, where he touched hundreds of individuals whether at the hockey rink, softball field or socializing with too many of his friends to mention," according to an obituary published online

Outrage After 6-Year-Old Accused of Molesting Kids on Bus

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Community advocates are urging Boston Public School officials to put monitors on all school buses after reports that a 6-year-old child sexually abused other children.

Boston Police said they can't say much about the investigation because of the children's ages, including when the alleged incidents happened or how many children may have been assaulted. The mother of one of the children who was allegedly assaulted said the incidents began at the beginning of the school year, and alleged at least four students were assaulted.

"We have to look at this issue. Our children are not safe on any school bus that does not have a monitor," community activist Mary Franklin said at a press conference Tuesday. "Our mayor has to step up and he has to see these children as valuable human beings and protect them and keep them safe."

Police were first notified of the incidents on Nov. 3 by Boston Renaissance Charter School in Hyde Park. They referred the matter to the Children's Advocacy Center of Suffolk County because of the ages of the students involved. The state Department of Education was also not notified within the required two-day window.

The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office said it is aware of the allegations and is coordinating with Boston Police, the school and the Children's Advocacy Center. Juvenile court only has jurisdiction over children age 7 or older, so no charges can be brought against someone under that age.

Advocates now want parents and citizens, along with Mayor Marty Walsh and Superintendent of Schools Tommy Chang to meet for a town hall on Dec. 29 to discuss school bus monitors.

"Every school bus carrying the most precious cargo, which is our children, our grandchildren, family members, and friends, have the right to ride to and from school safely and to be respected," Franklin said. "Let me be clear here - monitors are needed, regardless of a school being a public charter or district."

Parents said the school only notified them of the incidents on Monday - more than two weeks after police were called - after some of the details were shared by a parent on Facebook over the weekend.

The mother of one alleged victim said her son was molested a number of times.

"He said it happened more than 10 times," said the mother, who did not want to be named. "As a mom, I lost it. My son was being touched on the bus by another child that's 6 years old. The kid wanted my son to play with his genitals and he wanted my son to play with his genitals also. He mentioned a lot of grabbing of the buttocks."

The mother said the boy, who is now under investigation, also made threats.

"He made mention that there were guns at his house and if he was going to say anything that he was going to kill me," she said.

According to the mother of the alleged victim, she was told by school officials that another student saw what happened and told an administrator.

Boston Renaissance Charter School issued a statement Monday saying that it is taking the matter "very seriously" and has taken steps to ensure student safety and to protect the privacy of the students involved.

"We are aware of the Facebook post that has been circulating regarding an alleged incident on a school bus earlier this month," the school said. "We can assure all Boston Renaissance families that the school leadership team took immediate action and followed appropriate legal protocols, contacting law enforcement immediately upon learning of the issue.

"This is a highly sensitive matter," the school added. "We ask our school community to respect the privacy of our students and families, and allow the school to handle this appropriately."

Franklin, the grandmother of a 6-year-old student in Boston schools, said it's time for the "lies and excuses" to end.

"There are too many horrific stories of abuse, neglect and dangerous behaviors that are taking place on many school buses," she said. "These occurences are added trauma to the overwhelming issues our children are confronted with in their communites.

"As parents and concerned citizens, we can no longer allow our children to be mistreated, abused and viewed as if they don't matter to the City of Boston. We want to ensure that our children are safe going and coming to school."

Renaissance Charter School is not part of the Boston Public School District. Boston Public Schools provides bus service to all public and charter schools in the city of Boston.



Photo Credit: necn

Woman Injured When Car Plunges Into Lake Whitney in Hamden

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A woman suffered minor injuries when her vehicle veered off Waite Street in Hamden and into Like Whitney on Tuesday.

Police are at the scene, conducting an investigation, and said Waite Street is closed between Whitney Avenue and Mather Street, but no additional information was available.



Photo Credit: Hamden Fire Department

State Police Seek Suspect Vehicle in Higganum Home Burglary

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Connecticut State police are hoping the public can help them identify a suspect in a residential burglary in the Higganum section of Haddam.

Police said on Nov. 17 a home on Brainard Hill Road was burglarized sometime between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. During that time period a white Honda Odyssey van was spotted in a different residential driveway nearby. A male suspect got out of the van, walked around that home, then left the area.

Anyone who recognizes the vehicle pictured above or who has information on the burglary is asked to call Troop F at 860-399-2100 or the Haddam Resident Trooper’s Office at 860-345-2769.



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

Caregivers Accused of Extremely Neglecting 3 Young Children

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The parents of 3-, 5- and 6-year-old children are accused of extreme neglect after the children were found malnourished, dehydrated, in diapers and unable to speak, according to Connecticut state police. 

Police have arrested 32-year-old Donna Rodeheffer, and said the 24-year-old Nicolas Emory is being held in Arizona on child pornography charges, but similar charges will be filed against him when he is brought back to Connecticut.

State police started investigating the case on July 21 when the state Department of Children and Families reported Rodeheffer and Nicolas Emory were suspected of neglecting the three children in Danielson. 

DCF officials told police the children were malnourished, dehydrated, missing teeth, wearing diapers and unable to talk, according to state police. 

The 6-year-old weighs about 35 pounds, which is the average weight for a 4 year old child, and had a thick, yellow dry scalp, cracked and scabbing lips and a rotting gum line. Police said the boy was clearly delayed in his speech and basic life functions. 

The 5-year-old weighed 26 pounds and also had a thick, yellow dry scalp with overgrown finger and toe nails, according to arrest documents. 

When detectives spoke with family members, they learned the children their Danielson home up to three times a year and had never been enrolled in school, police said. 

Police also said the children did have regular check-ups with a pediatrician or dentist. The children were not potty trained, eat diet soda and corndogs alone in their beds and stay up sometimes until about 3 in the morning, according to arrest documents. 

After the children received medical attention, investigators learned they were underweight and extremely neglected, a report from state police says. 

Police then applied for arrest warrants and Rodeheffer, 33, now of Webster, Massachusetts, turned herself in to police today. She has been charged with three counts of negligent cruelty to persons and three counts of risk of injury to a minor. 

She was held on $150,000 bond and appeared in court. 

Emory is being held in Arizona as a fugitive from justice on a child pornography charge in Connecticut and state police said he will be charged in that case, as well as this one, when he is brought back to Connecticut.  



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

Danbury Mayor Considers Another Run for Governor

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Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton is considering a run for governor. He said he has formed an exploratory committee.

Boughton, a Republican who has gained national attention for his social media presence, is looking to colllect enough small donations to reach the $250,000 threshold to qualify for the citizens' elections program, which would give him public money for his gubernatorial bid. 

Boughton entered the gubernatorial race in 2014, when Tom Foley and John McKinney ran, but withdrew his name before the primary



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Police Investigate Home Burglary in Haddam

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State Police are investigating a home burglary on Brainard Hill Road, in the Higganum section of Haddam, between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Nov 17. 

A white Honda Odyssey minivan was seen in a different driveway not far from the victim’s residence and police said a man got out of the vehicle, walked around the home, then got back into the vehicle and drove away. 

Anyone with information should call Trooper John Swokla at Troop F at 860-399-2100 or the Haddam Resident Troopers Office at 860-345-2769.



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

Trump Booed Leaving New York Times

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President Elect Donald Trump is booed as he walks through the lobby of The New York Times Building after a 75-minute meeting with Times journalists. The lobby of the Times building is open to the public, and a large crowd had gathered by the time he departed.

Recalled Toys May be Available Online: US PIRG

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Consumers should keep an eye on what they purchase this holiday season, as recalled toys may still be available in online stores, a new report says.

In its annual "Trouble in Toyland" report, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund alerts consumers to recalled toys from January 2015 to October 2016 that may still be in their home, or available for sale online.

"We should be able to trust that the toys we buy are safe. However, until that’s the case, consumers should understand two things: first, not all recalls may be well-publicized so you should check your house for previously recalled toys and second, some toys that are recalled may still be available online," said Dev Gowda with U.S. PIRG in a statement. 

Some of the toys included on the list that are available online include a toy glockenspiel recalled due to high lead levels in the paint; a remote controlled-flying toy with a USB charging cord that can overheat and a pencil case containing two magnets that can detach from the case’s lid. Each of the items is said to pose health risks for children.

In a statement, the Toy Industry Association refuted the PIRG’s report, saying many of the items are juvenile products like hoverboards and children's jewelry and are not toys.

"U.S. PIRG calls their annual report "Trouble in Toyland" – but their 2016 report doesn’t indicate any trouble at all," the group said.

The inclusion of things like pacifier clips and other products "in a supposed 'toy' safety report undermines the toy industry’s deep and ongoing commitment to ensuring that toys are among the safest consumer product categories found in the home."

The group cited U.S. toy safety requirements as "among the strictest in the world, with more than 100+ standards and tests in place to ensure that all toys found on store shelves are safe."

The Trouble in Toyland list has been published for over 30 years, and has led to over 150 recalls and other enforcement actions, according to a press release from U.S. PIRG. The research group says that it has notified the Consumer Product Safety Commission about potential sales of recalled products, which it says is illegal under the CPSC’s rules. It also urges consumers to remain aware of recalled toys that may still be in their homes. 

In their statement, the Toy Industry Association urged consumers to “always shop at reputable stores and online retailers that they know and trust, and exercise caution when buying toys at flea markets, garage sales, second-hand / thrift stores, etc., as these vendors may not be monitoring for recalled products. Families are also encouraged to stay up-to-date on toy recalls to ensure that all recalled products are kept out of their homes – and out of children’s hands.”



Photo Credit: U.S. PIRG

26-Year-Old Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting Child

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A 26-year-old Watertown man has been charged with the sexual assault of a child.

Police said they started investigating after the child, who is under 10 years old, reported being sexually abused and Paul MacLellan, of Oakville, confessed to the sexual assault, police said.

MacLellan was charged with first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor.

Police held him in custody on a $200,000 bond and he was arraigned at the Waterbury Superior Court on Tuesday.

It’s not clear if he has an attorney.



Photo Credit: Watertown Police

Conn. College Student Charged with DUI After Serious Crash

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A Connecticut College student was charged with DUI after she struck a scooter on Route 32 in New London early Tuesday morning, according to police.

New London police said the driver, identified as Sophia Thielman, 19, of Rye Brook, New York, was driving on Route 32 south near the Waterford line when she struck a man riding a scooter around 12:18 a.m. Tuesday.

The scooter operator was taken to Lawrence and Memorial Hospital for treatment of serious injuries and later transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital for further treatment. He has not been identified.

Thielman was arrested and charged with DUI.

Route 32 was closed for several hours while police investigated but has since reopened. Anyone who witnessed the rash is asked to contact New London police at 860-447-5269.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut/New London Police Department
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