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Strong Start for Seasonal Business

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A large number of Memorial Day weekend beachgoers and nice weather made for a perfect combination to help boost sales for food vendors at Milford’s Walnut Beach.

“We’re down at the beach because this is where the people are,” says Jeff Fitzgerald, who ran Milford Soft Serve truck. “Very busy, very busy. (Sunday) was an awesome day for ice cream.”

The air temperature in Milford was around 80 degrees, with the water temperature about 20 degrees cooler.

Spending this weekend was predicted to be up.

The U-S Travel Association estimates those on trips will spend $12-billion, a small increase from last year.

That’s good news to the vendors who set up at Walnut Beach.

They say this weekend was off to a strong start.

“Wonderful, the weather, a little breeze, the people. Walnut Beach is number one,” says John Frank, who ran Frank’s Franks and Frank Family Italian Ice.

Many vendors were happy the weather on Saturday and Sunday was enjoyable considering the rainy forecast for Monday.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Weather Washing Out Memorial Day Events

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Several towns have cancelled or postponed Memorial Day events due to a rainy forecast.

The Town of Hamden cancelled due to the threat of rain on Monday.

Mayor Curt Balzano Leng posted on his Facebook page that the town has never held a "rain date" for the parade, but will consider it for future events.

Although the parade is cancelled, the town will still hold a ceremony honoring veterans inside Hamden Middle School at 11 a.m. on Monday. The school is located at 2623 Dixwell Avenue.

The City of New Britain postponed Memorial Day Services scheduled for Monday morning at the city’s war memorials. The ceremonies will take place Tuesday at Central Park at 11 a.m. The New Britain Memorial Day parade scheduled for 6 p.m. is still on.

See below for a list of events and cancellations:

• Berlin Memorial Day Parade cancelled. There will be an indoor service at the American Legion at 9 a.m.

• Bethany Memorial Day Parade cancelled. A ceremonial service will take place in the Town Hall gym at 10 a.m.

• Bristol will make a final decision on the parades Monday morning. The first is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. The second (Forestville) is scheduled to begin at noon.

• Clinton Memorial Day Parade cancelled.

• Coventry Memorial Day Parade cancelled.

• Danbury will make a final decision about the parade early Monday morning.

• East Haddam Memorial Day Parade cancelled.

• East Hampton Memorial Day Parade cancelled. A ceremony will be held at the High School at 9 a.m.

• East Hartford Memorial Day Parade cancelled.

• East Haven will hold ceremonies indoors at the East Haven Senior Center at 91 Taylor Avenue. Program begins at 11:30 a.m.

• East Lyme Memorial Day Parade cancelled.

• Granby Memorial Day Parade scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

• Guilford Memorial Day Parade and ceremonies cancelled.

• Hamden Memorial Day Parade cancelled. There will be an indoor ceremony at Hamden Middle School at 11 a.m.

• Madison Memorial Day Parade cancelled. There will be a ceremony at the American Legion Hall at 43 Bradley Road at 10:30 a.m.

• Manchester Memorial Day Parade cancelled. A ceremony will take place at the Interdenominational Church Gospel on Main Street at 11 a.m.

• Middletown will make a final decision on the parade Monday morning. Currently scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.

• New Britain memorial services postponed until Tuesday at Central Park at 11 a.m. Memorial Day Parade is still scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

• Noank Memorial Day Parade cancelled.

• North Stonington Memorial Day Parade cancelled. Services will be held at 10 a.m. at The Grange

• Norwalk Memorial Day Parade cancelled.

• Ridgefield Memorial Day Parade cancelled.

• Torrington will make a final decision about the parade Monday morning.

• Simsbury Memorial Day Parade is still scheduled for 1:30 p.m. (The Tarriffville Memorial Parade at 10 a.m. has been cancelled)

• Southbury Memorial Day Parade cancelled. The ceremony will take place at the Parks and Recreation/Senior Center Building at 11 a.m. The Memorial Day family Picnic at Ballantine Park is also cancelled.

• South Windsor Memorial Day Parade is cancelled. There will also be a ceremony at 10 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park.

• Tarriffville Memorial Parade at 10 a.m. has been cancelled. (The Simsbury Memorial Day Parade is still scheduled for 1:30 p.m.)

• Trumbull Memorial Day Parade cancelled. There will be a service at the Vietnam Memorial at 7:30 a.m. and a service at the All Wars Memorial at 8:30 a.m.

• Vernon Memorial Day Parade cancelled.

• Wallingford Memorial Day Parade cancelled. There will be a ceremony at Sheehan High School at 10 a.m.

• Watertown Memorial Day Parade cancelled.

• West Hartford Memorial Day Parade cancelled.

• West Haven Memorial Day Parade postponed to Sunday, June 5

This is a running list. Check back for updates.



Photo Credit: AP

Sanders Doesn't Say No to Hypothetical Clinton VP Slot

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Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said he won’t rule out the possibility of being Hillary Clinton’s running mate.

"Here we are in California, I'm knocking my brains out to win the Democratic nomination," Sanders said on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday. "What happens afterwards, we will see. But right now, my focus is on winning the nomination." 

Sanders said California is important to win more pledged delegates than Clinton, but also said he will “do everything I can” to ensure Donald Trump is defeated. The onus, he said, was on Clinton to convince his supporters why they should back her.

"If Secretary Clinton is the nominee, it is her job to reach out to millions of people and make the case as to why she is going to defend working families and the middle [class], provide healthcare for all people, take on Wall Street, deal aggressively with climate change. That is the candidate's job to do."



Photo Credit: NBC News
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Jeb Corliss Flies Through Target on China's Great Wall

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Daredevil Jeb Corliss ripped through a target on China’s Great Wall on Sunday, NBC News reported. 

The 40-year old's stunt included skydiving from a helicopter dressed in a wingsuit. 

Corliss said he wanted to do something “safer" and was done with “death defying” stunts after flying through a 25-foot wide crevice between two cliff faces in his last feat. 

"I'm not about doing death defying stuff anymore," told NBC News. "That's not the point. What I'd much rather do is things that are safe, repeatable, but more difficult."



Photo Credit: FilmMagic
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Poss. Shark Attack Closes Shoreline

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A two-mile stretch of the shoreline at Corona del Mar State Beach was closed after a swimmer was bitten by a shark or sea lion late Sunday afternoon, Newport Beach lifeguards confirmed.

Newport Beach police said they received reports that a woman swimming in the water was bitten at Corona del Mar State Beach around 5 p.m.

Lifeguards found the woman in distress in the water about 150 yards off shore, and when they pulled her out, she had large bites on her upper torso and shoulder, Newport Beach City Police Officer Tara Finnigan said.

She was conscious and breathing when she was taken to a nearby hospital. Police could not comment on the extent of the her injuries.

Police also could not provide a specific lifeguard tower near to where she was bitten, but a two-mile stretch of the sand from Newport Pier to Corona del Mar beach was closed.

Officials said they could not immediately determine whether it was a shark that bit her as they could not find a shark in the water when the attack happened. Rob Williams, lifeguard with Newport Beach Fire, said it could not be ruled out that the animal bite may have come from a sea lion.

The woman was described as an experienced swimmer.

The water was evacuated, and the stretch of the beach was to remain closed for 24 hours, Newport Beach Lifeguard Captain John Moora said. 

As NewsChopper4 flew overhead the beach, the shoreline was packed with Memorial Day weekend beach-goers. 

Corona del Mar State Beach is a popular place for swimmers, according to the California Department of Parks and Recreation. 

A shark sighting in October of 2015 shut down a stretch of the beach near Newport Pier. In that sighting, an 8-foot shark was spotted along the coast. Newport Beach Pier is about 5 miles north of Corona del Mar State Beach.

A month prior in September 2015, a hammerhead was caught on camera acting aggressively toward a kayaker.

The warm weather may draw more sharks to the Southern California coast, experts said in a previous report.



Photo Credit: KNBC-TV

Libertarian Party Chairman Hopeful Strips on Stage, Live TV

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A candidate for chairman for the Libertarian Party stripped his clothes on live TV before dropping out of the race on Sunday, NBC News reported. 

James Weeks was supporting the vice presidential campaign of Derrick Grayson when he took off his suit, shirt and tie and danced around, according to video of the convention broadcast by C-SPAN.

He then said, "I'm sorry; that was a dare," and said he was abandoning his own campaign for party chairman. 

The convention, which was contested, had to go to a second ballot before the Libertarians nominated former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson and former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld as its presidential ticket.



Photo Credit: AP

Flooding in Texas, Kansas as Wild Weather Hits Carolinas

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Five people were killed and at least three others were reported missing after heavy rain hammered the Plains states, triggering flooding over the holiday weekend, NBC News reported. 

Four bodies were discovered in Washington County, Texas, and another was found Saturday in Travis County, according to emergency services officials. Officials were still searching for three missing people, including a 10-year-old boy who was pulled into the swollen Brazos River. 

An 11-year-old Kansas boy was swept away after falling into the fast-moving Gypsum Creek in Wichita. 

Other parts of the country were also dealing with wild weather. Tropical Storm Bonnie weakened to a tropical depression, bringing winds up to 35 mph and high surf to the Carolinas and Georgia through Monday.



Photo Credit: Ashley River FD
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Veterans Rally to Clean Mural

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Word of a vandalized Vietnam memorial in Venice, California, inspired scores of veterans — some from as far as Arizona — to clean up the spray-painted mess ahead of Memorial Day. 

Extensive graffiti — a thick sheen of silver paint — covered the mural, which bears the names of 2,273 veterans who vanished in Vietnam and has stood untouched since 1992. 

LA County Sheriff's Department investigators showed up Saturday night to assess the wall on Pacific Avenue near Sunset Court and take pictures.

"This is about as bad as burning an American flag, stomping on it," said John Scudder, a Marine veteran of 11 1/2 years who brought his construction truck and paint remover to help organize a cleanup. "Just like that flag is a symbol of freedom, this is a symbolization of names of people who gave their lives for this country."

Word of the vandalized mural spread all the way to Arizona, where Navy veteran Kelly Townsend packed up her kids and made the drive from Phoenix to LA.

"I was reading about it this morning. It upset me," Townsend said.

She was among dozens of volunteers who showed up Sunday morning ready to work.

"I was so hurt by what I saw on the news this morning," said Charlie Saulenas, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient. "I knew that this was my job for Memorial Day."

A graffiti removal team said with no protectant having been applied to the wall, removing the graffiti would also remove the veterans' names. As the volunteers worked, names began to come off.

But volunteers said they will repaint the names — every single one of them.

"People give up their lives for our life, our way of life, and for them to just basically spit on stuff like this, it's so saddening," said Esmeralda Jordan, an Air Force veteran.

The president of the National Veterans Foundation, Floyd Meshad, said he's been working for years to have the wall restorey.

Meshad said he hopes this will expedite those efforts, as the overwhelming response from volunteers has proven the community wants the wall there for good.



Photo Credit: KNBC-TV

Grab the Umbrella for Memorial Day

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Tropical moisture moving north brings in locally heavy rain overnight. Rain will be widespread through Monday morning with pockets of heavy rain and the chance for a few thunderstorms.

Showers become more scattered late morning/early afternoon with the southeastern portion of the state staying the wettest the longest.

The soggy weather has forced dozens of cities and towns to cancel or postpone Memorial Day parades and events.  You can see a list of cancelled events here.

By the afternoon, rain will taper off while clouds stick around for the remainder of the day.

By the time you head out the door Tuesday, sunshine will be back.

Volunteers Decorate the Graves of Fallen Soldiers

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Hundreds of volunteers came out to decorate the graves of Connecticut’s fallen, remembering those who died fighting for our freedom.

Among those planting 1,500 flags at West Hartford’s Fairview Cemetery were veterans who wanted to make sure those who paid the ultimate sacrifice fighting for our freedom were not forgotten.

“It’s our job to honor those who gave their life for this country,” said Kenneth Hungerford, a Korean War Veteran.

Hungerford considers himself one of the lucky ones. During his ten years in the service, he witnessed the horrors of war.

“If you were in the service you’re with buddies. You try to save each other,” said Hungerford.

Denise Hall’s father began bringing her family to Fairview Cemetery on Memorial Day weekend 35 years ago to place flags at the veterans’ graves.

She continues to carry the torch drawing hundreds of volunteers each year.

Dozens of boy scouts were among the volunteers. Hall said she hoped some of the scouts would be inspired to serve their country.

“Look at how many men and women have served our country and died in service. It really makes you reflect on what the weekend is all about,” said Hall.

“If they didn’t do what they had done, they didn’t serve their country, I wouldn’t have my freedom and that’s very precious,” added 41:27 Constance Collins, a World War II Veteran.

Collins, 92-years-old, served stateside for the Navy in World War Two, drawing maps of the Pacific for bombers to follow.

“I felt like I was doing something for my country. You know, I was part of the war,” she said of joining her sister in signing up for the military.

She’s still finding a way to serve and proud to be part of the patriotic show of support for her fellow service members and remembering the service and sacrifice of the troops who didn’t make it home

“We’re very very lucky to live in a free country,” she added.

UConn Baseball Heads to NCAA Tournament

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The UConn baseball team defeated Houston to win the American Athletic Conference title on Sunday.

It is the team's first title since joining The American and fourth overall conference title in school history, according to UConn Athletics.

The 7-2 win over the Cougars in Clearwater, Florida, earned the Huskies the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. It will be the team's 19th-ever appearance in the tournament, but the first since 2013, according to UConn Athletics.

UConn will learned on Monday they will face Georgia Tech in Gainsville, Florida, on June 3 for the NCAA Championship.

Man Arrested After Security Breach at German Airport

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Flights were halted and a German airport terminal was evacuated Monday after a person allegedly entered a restricted area without going through security, NBC News reported.

Five flights were affected by the disruption at Cologne Bonn Airport's Terminal 1. Officials said a man walked into an exit-only area meant for arriving passengers traveling with only carry-on luggage around 11 a.m. local time (5 p.m. ET).

The terminal was shuttered for 2 1/2 hours while teams with dogs searched for the suspect and dangerous materials, according to NBC News.

Officials have not released any information about the man, who was arrested.



Photo Credit: PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images

FBI's Most-Wanted Fugitive Caught

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A convicted felon on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend and her unborn baby in Los Angeles last month has been captured, according to FBI officials. 

Philip Patrick Policarpio was apprehended Sunday by agents with the U.S. Customs Border Protection, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller confirmed. Policarpio was taken into custody at the San Ysidro Port of Entry as he was crossing into the United States from Tijuana, Eimiller said. 

The FBI said Policarpio and his 32-year-old girlfriend, Lauren Olguin, were visiting a friend's home in the Rampart area April 12 when the crime was committed.

Policarpio had allegedly become angry and beat Olguin in the face with his fists before pulling out a handgun and shooting her in the forehead, the FBI said.

It's unclear if he knew Olguin was 17 weeks pregnant at the time.

Olguin died instantly and Policarpio went on the run, the FBI said.

Olguin mother's, Jerilyn Olguin, said she was relieved to find out her daughter's suspected killer was in custody.

"Although my daughter's gone, my biggest fear was, 'God, I hope he doesn't do this to someone else,'" Olguin said.

"I thought maybe we could be waiting for years, who knows? Maybe never," she said.

At the time of the incident, was on parole for a 2001 conviction. In that prior case, Policarpio fled to the Philippines after he was suspected of firing nine shots into another car over a dispute in Burbank in 2000. He was deported to the U.S. the following year and was convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison. He was released on parole in May 2015.

Policarpio has ties to Las Vegas, Florida and the Philippines, where, according to investigators, the 39-year-old has family members — including multiple wives and children.

Investigators said Policarpio's aliases include Damon Hiromi Tanaka, Paul Policarpio, "Bugsy," "Sinister" and "Sins." 

The FBI added Policarpio to its most wanted list earlier this month. The list has featured 508 people since it was established in 1950, leading to the arrests of 475 fugitives.

Policarpio is expected to be arraigned this week. 

"My daughter's not coming back but it does like a weight's lifted, like there is some closure," Olguin said.

Jaime Bankson and Kate Larsen contributed to this report.



Photo Credit: FBI

Transgender Man Beaten to Death

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A 38-year-old transgender man died after he was attacked at a homeless encampment in Burlington, Vermont, in what police are calling a possible "bias incident."

Amos Beede, of Milton, suffered facial fractures, a subdural hematoma and several broken ribs in the beating on May 25. Police found him lying on the ground at a homeless encampment in the area of Barge Canal on Pine Street.

Beede was taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center for treatment. His initial prognosis was good, but Beede died of his injuries Sunday, according to police.

The office of the state's chief medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine Beede's cause of death.

Detectives are searching for two people of interest — 21-year-old Erick Averill and 23-year-old Myia Barber — in connection with the attack. Both are transient residents of Burlington, authorities said.

Police said they believe the attackers had motives that were "independent" of Beede's gender identity but that his status as a transgender man may have been an "additional motive."

Authorities will "continue to view this homicide as a possible bias incident" as they investigate, police said.

Anyone with information about the assault or the whereabouts of Averill or Barber are asked to call city police or Champlain Valley Crime Stoppers at 802-864-6666.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Memorial Day Traffic: Cars Moving on I-95 in Old Lyme

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Latest Memorial Day traffic updates for the Connecticut area. 

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A minor accident in Old Lyme earlier today caused residual delays on I-95. Cars were moving slowly going southbound near exit 74. 

Traffic appears to be moving normally again. 

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Drivers coming back from Cape Cod faced delays on the Mass Pike in Auburn, Massachusetts. 

Three lanes were closed going westbound due to a crash involving a tractor trailer and three other vehicles. 

Massachusetts State Police tweeted that a tractor trailer jackknifed crashed with three other cars. Troopers reported minor injuries.

Lanes have been reopened. 



Photo Credit: CT DOT

Holder Says Snowden 'Performed a Public Service'

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Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said Edward Snowden performed a "public service" by leaking National Security Agency documents but should still be punished, NBC News reported.

"We can certainly argue about the way in which Snowden did what he did, but I think that he actually performed a public service by raising the debate that we engaged in and by the changes that we made," Holder told former White House adviser David Axelrod on an episode of "The Axes Files" podcast Monday.

Holder, however, quickly added that Snowden "harmed American interests" by acting in a way that was "inappropriate and illegal."

Snowden leaked documents about government surveillance programs while working as a contractor in 2013 and is now exiled in Moscow.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Woman Found Dead in Quinnipiac River Identified

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The female body discovered in the Quinnipiac River in New Haven on Sunday has been identified, police said. 

Police were called to the south end of the river near the Grand Ave. Bridge and Front St. just after 11 a.m.

The body of 19-year-old Adaijah Walker was discovered in shallow water.

Earlier on Sunday morning, Walker was reported missing after she was last seen around 7 p.m. on Saturday by her family in New Haven.

Family reported that she was despondent.

Detectives suspect that the death was caused by suicide or an accidental drowning but a investigators from the Medical Examiner's office did not release information.

An autopsy is currently underway. 

Earlier this month, the body of a missing Middletown teen was found in the Connecticut River. 

Shoplifter Shot Stealing Crab Legs

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A man who was attempting to steal crab legs from a grocery store was shot by an off-duty D.C. Metropolitan Police Department officer working as security for the store after the man pointed a gun at the officer, according to a police report.

The officer, Theodore Dyson, said he was standing beyond the cash register and checkout area in the Giant store located at 300 H Street Northeast early Sunday morning. Dyson said he saw a man holding a large bag, which appeared to contain large items, and acting suspiciously.

The report said Dyson approached the man and found the bag contained two bags of crab legs, which had been taken from the store without payment. Dyson asked the man to follow him to the back of the store, but the man refused and drew a handgun, pointing it at the officer.

Dyson drew his service weapon and fired once, striking the man, according to the report. The man fell to the ground and was later transported to the Washington Hospital Center.

According to the report, the man was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and shoplifting. The man’s identity is not listed in the report.

The value of the crab legs was listed as $76.54.

Hartford Police Officer Saves Family From Burning Home

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A Hartford Police officer saved a family from a burning house early Sunday morning

Patrol Officer Jim Fierravanti rescued a mother, her son and their dog from their burning home on 68 School street just after 4 a.m.

“(Dispatch) told us there was people trapped inside and that’s my number one goal: to make sure the people get are brought to safety,” Fierravanti told NBC Connecticut during an exclusive interview.

Fierravanti ran to the back door, kicked it open and located the family and their dog.

“It wouldn’t have been safe to try and get through the front door, so I went around back," Fierravanti said. "Sure enough there was a door there, but it was locked and they couldn’t get out.”

The officer, who has been with the Hartford Police Department for eight years, said the family was stuck on the first floor and the fire was spreading towards them.

"(The mom) was panicking, the kid was holding the dog, the room was starting to fill up with smoke," Fierravanti said. 

Even though fire crews were on the way to the scene, Fierravanti said he made a "split-second" decision-- he kicked the door two times in order to get in the house and save the family. 

When the fire department arrived, it took about 15 minutes to get the fire under control and 30 minutes to extinguish it. No injuries were reported.

“Somebody could possibly get hurt and your job is to make sure that they don’t," the officer said.

Man Attacks Cop After Kicking Woman on Ground: Police

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A Milford man allegedly threw a woman to the ground, kicked her in the stomach and later attacked an officer on Saturday, police said. 

Police investigated a domestic violence incident on May 28, when Christopher Wesolowski got into a heated argument that became physical, police said.

Wesolowski was driving on Rivercliff Drive with a woman when he stopped the car and the pair stepped out, police said. 

Police said Wesolowski threw the woman to the ground and started kicking her stomach before getting back in the car and driving off, leaving the victim behind.

The 26-year-old suspect was found by police in the Margaret Egan Center where he tried to run from officers, officials said.

When police caught Wesolowski, they said he struck them while kicking. 

Wesolowski is accused of assault on a police officer, third-degree assault, interfering with an arrest and second-degree breach of peace.

His bond was set at $1,000 and he is expected to appear in court on May 31. 

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