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Man Escapes Custody After Jumping From Ambulance: Police

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A Willimantic man escaped custody Friday after being arrested on a parole violation.

Willimantic officers assisted state parole officers in arresting Rene Irizzary, 27, around 6:15 a.m. when Irizzary began to fight with the officers, according to police.

The officers used pepper spray on Irizzary during the altercation and he was placed in an ambulance to be checked out at Windham Hospital, police said.

While stopped at a red light, Irizzary jumped from the ambulance and ran while still handcuffed.

Irizzary was on the run for about two hours before officers found him hiding in a shed off of Manners Avenue, according to police.

He tried to run again, but police caught him in a wooded area nearby, police said.

Irizzary was charged with interfering with police and third-degree criminal trespass.

Two Willimantic officers were injured during the foot pursuit, police said.



Photo Credit: Willimantic Police

What Stores are Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?

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Only a handful of retailers will actually be open on Christmas Day with most closing for the holiday Monday.

The major retailers open Monday are largely pharmacies, gas stations and convenience stories, including 7-Eleven, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Starbucks, according to Offers.com.

The best advice is to check with your local location before heading out on Monday.

Most stores are open until 5 or 6 p.m. on Sunday, Christmas Eve, including:

  • Apple
  • Barnes and Noble
  • Bed Bath & Beyond
  • Best Buy
  • BJ's Wholesale
  • Cabela's
  • Costco
  • Dick's Sporting Goods
  • Gap
  • GameStop
  • H&M
  • Ikea
  • JCPenney
  • Kohl's
  • Macy's
  • Nordstrom
  • Old Navy
  • REI
Target, Walmart and Kmart will all be open as late as 11 p.m. or midnight.
Walmart, Target, Macy's and Kmart will all be open later than usual on Saturday.
Kohl's and Toys 'R' Us will be open 24 hours on Saturday.
Again, make sure you check with your local store to see how late they will be open.


Police Investigate Sign Thefts in Guilford

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Guilford police are investigating the theft of dozens of lawn signs showing opposition to a proposed sidewalk in town.

 As many as 60-70 signs were taken from private residences sometime around Nov. 25, according to police.

 The signs, which read "No Nut Plains Pathway," were later found in a dumpster behind Sachem Square on the Boston Post Road.

 Video from a security camera shows what appears to be two people driving up to the dumpster in an SUV and then tossing the signs into it.

 Police called the pair "persons of interest."

 The signs were bought by homeowners and placed on their property to show opposition to the construction of a 2-mile sidewalk being considered along Nut Plains Road.

 Many residents oppose the sidewalk, claiming it will ruin the scenic road, according to the Shoreline Times.

 Anyone who recognizes the vehicle or the people in the video is asked to contact police at (203) 453-8240.



Photo Credit: Guilford Police

Man Burglarized Middletown Apartment While Victim Showered: Police

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The search is on for a man who burglarized a Middletown apartment while the victim was showering.

The victim's Main Street apartment had been broken into on Dec. 11 and again on Dec. 14, so the victim set up a camera to catch the suspect on video, according to police.

On Dec. 20, a man entered the apartment while the victim was in the shower around 11:45 a.m. and was captured on video.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to call Middletown police at (860) 638-4000.



Photo Credit: Middletown Police

First Look at Snowfall Forecast for Christmas

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After a wintry mix tonight into tomorrow NBC Connecticut Meteorologists are forecasting snow, sleet, and rain Christmas Eve into Christmas day. 

Much of Christmas Eve will remain dry with high temperatures in the upper 30s and low 40s.

We're forecasting a mixture of snow, sleet, and rain to overspread the state between the hours of 10 p.m. Sunday and 1 a.m. Monday.


Areas along the shoreline will be dealing with rain to start with a transition to sleet and snow during the overnight hours.

Parts of interior Connecticut especially from Litchfield county to Tolland county will be dealing with plowable snow by Christmas morning.

Take a look at snowfall accumulations. Higher accumulations will in northwest and north central Connecticut where precipitations should stay primarily snow.


The snow, sleet, and rain will come to an end by 7 to 10 a.m. 

Stay with the NBC Connecticut First Alert Weather Team for the very latest on the situation. 


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Parents Last-Minute Errands Hampered by Early Dismissals

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Many parents woke up to messages saying they'd need to pick up their kids a little earlier from school on Friday due to the forecasted bad weather.

After checking her email on Friday, Avon parent Chris Lasala found out she had a lot less time to run her last-minute errands. With a wintry mix that includes freezing rain in the forecast, several school districts decided to let out a little sooner to try and get everyone home before the messy weather hits.

"I'm rushing. I just texted my husband, 'I'm still rushing. You might need to go to early dismissal'," Lasala said.

A mother from Farmington, Elizabeth Hutvagner, said she needed a bit more time on Friday. 

"I was hoping they would have at least some school so I could get some stuff done," Hutvagner said.

Hutvagner said she had grocery shopping and last-minute wrapping to get done before picking up the kids.

Regardless, she said she's happy to hear they'll be able to get out of school a little earlier.

"I think it's great. I think it gives a little extra time to get ready for Christmas. I think the teachers love it. I know the kids will be excited to get a head start on Christmas break," Hutvagner said.

Lasala said her mother-in-law flies in from Georgia on Friday and that she's concerned the icy conditions could delay those plans.

"She's supposed to arrive 5:30 p.m., so we called her up and said, 'You might need to check your flight. It might be delayed,'" Lasala said.

Department of Transportation crews pretreated the roads and said there is salt residue on many roads from previous weather events. With freezing rain forecast for Friday night into Saturday morning, iced roads is a serious concern. 



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Police Investigating East Hartford Shooting

Trip Protection Doesn’t Guarantee Trip is Protected

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A Waterbury family learned buying trip protection, although sometimes an easy decision, can lead to a lot more headaches when it’s time to put it into use.

Arlette Yerzak was excited to spend next month on a beach with friends in Aruba and insured the trip just in case.

In November, the Yerzaks and their friends saw complaints online about mold at their hotel—enough to make them want to cancel.

Looking back to when Arlette first decided to add trip protection to the four round-trip flights, she was convinced the Expedia agenda had told her she could use it anytime before the trip, no questions asked.

Either she was given the wrong information or she misunderstood.

Regardless, their insurance plan states it will only give refunds in the event a traveler is prevented from traveling for specific, stated reasons such as illness or a family death. A concern over moldy hotels doesn’t fall under that category.

“You’re not talking just a couple hundred dollars,” said Yerzak. “It was over $1,000.”

Yerzak tried disputing her denied claim directly with Expedia, adamant her agent said she could cancel for free. Those attempts weren’t any more successful.

“They kept saying they’ll help you out right away, [asking] ‘Is this the right call back number for you,’ But no one was calling us back,” Yerzak said. “Each time we had to wait an hour, trying to call them back.”

Just when Yerzak started giving up hope, she turned to NBC Connecticut Responds.

An Expedia representative explained that the company didn’t have to honor her request, even though she claims she was misled. However given the opportunity to make things right for the Yerzaks, Expedia did.

The travelers received $1,428 back in their pockets, one month after their problem started, but just in time for Christmas.

“It was an amazing feeling,” said Yerzak. “It really was.”



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

New London Community Holds Forum on Violence After 3 Homicides

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There are concerns about the outbreak of violence in New London after police responded to three homicides in less than 10 days.

The people who live in the small city and run the city were behind the doors of Trinity Missionary Baptist Church Friday night to help come up with a solution. 

Travon Brown, 27, was the victim of the fatal stabbing Sunday on Grand Street.

“We all know each other. This is a ripple effect. Everyone’s going to feel this. Whether it’s the other side, or my side, my brother’s side, it’s felt. And even if you didn’t know him, it’s felt. It’s a small community,” his brother, Curtis Goodwin, said. 

Goodwin said he buried Brown Friday.

Goodwin has been a longtime anti-violence advocate and organizes the New London Youth Talent Show, which gives kids an outlet through art. He also runs a production company geared at combatting stereotypes and violence, and works for a technology company called Community Brands, where he helps to get people of color and women jobs on a global scale.

Goodwin said it’s time for this community to actually be a community.

“Nothing’s worth this. Nothing adds up to this,” he said.

New London Police feel it, too.

“Victims have been former students of mine. So I see it. I take it personal,” said New London Police Capt. Brian Wright.

Wright knew Brown when he was a D.A.R.E. and youth officer in schools.

The only way to stop the violence, according to Wright, is if the public and police work together.

There will be more patrols on Blackhall and Prest Streets because members of the community voiced concerns, but there also needs to be more programs for the city’s youth.

“I don’t know if there could necessarily be ever enough programs for young people. Which goes back to what my parents used to say to me, ‘Idle time is the devil’s time,’” Wright said.

New London Mayor Michael Passero said the city is going to be working with the social service system and faith community to address that.

“How our youth are managing their anger. Managing their response to interpersonal disputes,” Passero said.

Like Friday night at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church. At 6 p.m. members of the community had a chance to grieve and a chance to change the climate.

“How do we look at is as being an opportunity for New London to be all that it can be,” Rev. Wade Hyslop said.

He also believes there needs to be more for the kids in the community.

“We have schools that are vacant, so to speak, after-school hours. I know they have some teams that play in school, but what happens to the kid that doesn’t make the team? Does he have an outlet? That would help. We have parks around the city. Once again, you have to be a part of a team,” Hyslop said.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Off-Ramp on I-95 in East Haven Closed After Crash

14,000 Travelers Employees to Get $1,000 Bonuses

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Travelers announced on Friday that tens of thousands of employees will get one-time $1,000 bonuses after a U.S. tax reform was signed into law. 

"The leadership team decided that given our confidence in our business and the way we are successfully positioned for the opportunities ahead, we should start making additional investments immediately," an email sent to all employees said. "We also came to the conclusion that we should use the opportunity to make our first investment in our most valuable asset and greatest competitive advantage — our people."

Travelers said it will be giving approximately 14,000 employees with a base salary of $75,000 or less and who meet performance expectations a "special one-time" $1,000 bonus. 

In addition, Travelers said they will increase hourly wages to $15 an hour for any U.S. based employee making less than that. 

On Friday, President Donald Trump signed the Republican tax cut bill into law. He called it the "biggest tax cut, the biggest reform of all time" and celebrated the $1.5 trillion tax cut, NBC News reported

Employees who are eligible will be contacted soon and the bonuses are expected to go out in January. 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Icy Rain Causes Slippery Conditions, Damage Across CT

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An icy mix continued to fall early Saturday morning, leading to some dangerous conditions in parts of the state and causing damage as the weight of the ice took down tree limbs and wires.

Freezing rain coated roads, driveways and sidewalks through inland areas of Connecticut and continued through midday.

Icy buildup on tree limbs and wires took down power lines, knocking out power to at least 688 customers in Middletown and 633 in Berlin, and smaller outages elsewhere, Eversource confirmed. 

State police reported some accidents due to the icy roads, including a crash involving a tractor-trailer on I-91 North by Exit 23 in Rocky Hill.

CT Transit temporarily suspended service in the New Britain area due to extremely icy conditions, according to its website.

Bradley International Airport reported one canceled flight Saturday morning and encouraged travelers to check with their airline before heading to the airport.

There were also several delays and cancellations Saturday morning.

Temperatures were expected to slowly climb through the 30s during the day, bringing an end to the icing conditions.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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Abandoned Chickens Found Behind Dumpster in Bristol

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Bristol police are searching for a suspect who abandoned three chickens behind a dumpster earlier this month.

Police said on Dec. 13 the animal control officer was called to Superior Pizza at 274 Middle Street for a report of chickens abandoned behind a dumpster. The ACO found three chickens in a box, all apparently in good health.

Investigators have released surveillance footage of a suspect and suspect vehicle. Anyone with information should contact ACO Brian Skinner at 860-584-3087.

The chickens were turned over to the Friends of Bristol, CT Animal Shelter.



Photo Credit: Bristol Police Department

Bridgeport Police Investigate Homicide

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A man is dead after a shooting in Bridgeport Saturday morning.

Bridgeport police spokesman Av Harris confirms a male victim was shot at the corner of Maple and Kossuth Streets around 10 a.m.

The victim fell into a store as he was shot, Harris said.

He was pronounced dead on scene. The victim has not been publicly identified.

More details were not immediately available.

This is the city's 23rd homicide of the year.

The investigation is ongoing.




Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Aardvark Dead, 4 Meerkats Missing in London Zoo Fire

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One aardvark has died and four meerkats are missing after a fire at the ZSL London Zoo early Saturday, NBC News reported.

The blaze tore through the zoo's Animal Adventure area, and children's petting zoo, officials said in a statement on the zoo's website.

The zoo said the other animals were being closely monitored by its vets but appeared to not have been affected by the blaze, which broke out around 6 a.m. local time (1 a.m. ET) and was under control some three hours later.

Security guards, along with zookeepers who live on site, first responded to the fire, alerting authorities and moving the animals to safe locations within their enclosures, the zoo said. A number of staff members were also treated for smoke inhalation and shock.



Photo Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA via AP

Route 15S Reopens in Norwalk After Rollover Crash

New Haven Police Seek Suspect in AT&T Store Theft

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New Haven police are trying to identify a man involved in a theft from an AT&T store Friday.

Police said the man pictured above was involved in a theft from the AT&T store at 1455 Whalley Avenue.

Anyone who recognizes him is asked to contact the New Haven police anonymous tip line at 203-946-6296 or the Investigative Service Division at 203-946-6304.



Photo Credit: New Haven Police Department

CSP Holiday Enforcement: Troopers Watching the Roads

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State police have responded to over 100 accidents and arrested 12 people on DUI charges so far this holiday period.

State police holiday enforcement began at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 22 and runs through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 26. Troopers conducted increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints are set up throughout the state during this period.

As of 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Connecticut State police have responded to 120 accidents, eight with injuries. Police have also assisted 97 drivers with other issues like flat tires and breakdowns.

Troopers have arrested 12 people on DUI charges, issued 124 speeding tickets, 6 seatbelt violations, and issued citations for 329 other moving violations.

In 2016, State Police made a total of 47 DUI arrests, issued 579 speeding violations, 50 seatbelt violations, and 1596 other violations over the end-of-year holiday period. There were 528 accidents, four of which were fatal.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Vice Apologizes for Work Culture That Bred Sexual Harassment

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The founders of Vice Media admitted to having "failed as a company to create a safe and inclusive workplace where everyone, especially women, can feel respected and thrive" after a New York Times investigation published Saturday revealed allegations of sexual harassment and a toxic work environment.

The report said three Vice employees received settlements after they made allegations of sexual harassment, one of which involved the president of the company. Another employee received a settlement after suing for defamation.

The settlements go back a decade and Vice co-founders Shane Smith and Suroosh Alvi acknowledged the challenges their company faced.

“Cultural elements from our past, dysfunction and mismanagement were allowed to flourish unchecked,” the two men said in a statement available on Vice’s website. “That includes a detrimental ‘boy’s club’ culture that fostered inappropriate behavior that permeated throughout the company. It happened on our watch, and ultimately we let far too many people down. We are truly sorry for this.”



Photo Credit: Anindito Mukherjee/Bloomberg via Getty Images

LAPD Bomb Squad Clears Package Addressed to Treasury Sec.

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A Los Angeles Department bomb squad responded to a Bel-Air neighborhood Saturday night due to a suspicious package.

Someone in the neighborhood reportedly received a suspicious package addressed to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, according to the LAPD.

The Secret Service was also involved due to the connection to Mnuchin. 

Aerial footage from NewsChopper 4 showed officers investigating a large box wrapped in wrapping paper. It was not immediately clear what was inside the box, but the package was cleared by investigators around 8 p.m. 

No evacuations were reported, but Bel Air Road was closed due to the investigation. 



Photo Credit: NewsChopper 4
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