November, 2008

This month’s edition kicks off with one of several calls for service to the State Police by some of the local RMV branches. Trooper Dave Podworski was sent to the local branch for a report of a disorderly person causing a scene. Upon Tpr Podworski’s arrival, he identified the person walking away from the scene and given a good “talkin’ to” about how to conduct himself in public. The eccentric local citizen cooperated and the disruptive behavior stopped. Content that  his street-level charm school course had fixed the problem, the two went their separate ways without any further action necessary. Later that day, Tpr Carlos Rivera (VFAS) learned of the name of this person, and recognized this person as being in violation of the state’s Sex Offender Registry Board for failing to register. The B-3 braves, led by Tpr Podworski and VFAS Troopers set out looking for this person around known hangouts and neighborhoods, and the next day, Tpr Podworski located him in a local neighborhood. Whilst pitching a fit, the offender was locked up by Tpr Podworski where the aformentioned “fit” continued all the way to the B-3 booking bench, where his ranting and raving can only be compared to the speech of the crazy cat lady from “The Simpsons.”

One sunny evening in Springfield found the B Troop Cat Team patrolling the local neighborhoods looking for foul deeds afoot. Tpr John Driscoll’s Springfield Police Radio lit up with a call for shots fired and a man down right around the corner from where he was cruising. Upon his arrival, literally within seconds of the call being put out, observed the felled subject behind a house and two females moseying away from the scene. They somehow didn’t hear or see anything, but were advised to stay put while Tpr Driscoll, Tpr Matt Donah, Tpr Brian Claprood and Tpr Steven Burgess (B-CAT) attempted to resuscitate and provide first aid to the victim until Springfield PD and EMS arrived. Once the homicide scene was secured by responding SPD and MSP units, names were taken and info relayed to Springfield PD detectives, all information that would have probably evaporated before SPD was able to arrive, thanks to the MSP Cat Team that was out looking for trouble.

Later than month Trooper Marc Reidy (B-CAT) was cruising a local street in Springfield when he observed a stop sign violation. The stop was conducted and both the driver and unseat belted passenger were identified. When Marc returned to his cruiser to check the names, he observed the passenger bail out of the car and beat feet over a fence. Trooper Louis Rodriguez assisted Tpr Reidy in the foot chase attempting to catch up the party who was sailing over fences like a gazelle. Marc and Luis weren’t too far behind, running like gazelles that wear cross straps, field boots and gun belts. At one point Tpr Reidy’s gear got caught up in a fence he was leaping over, but Tpr Rodriguez heaved him over the fence like the incredible hulk he is. After a foot pursuit lasting several hundred yards and over more than a few stockade fences, the troopers lost sight of the wayward soul and returned to their cruisers to advise the army of responding cruisers of the description of the passenger, as well as the operator that had taken it upon herself to the leave the scene with her car while the Tpr Reidy was chasing her boyfriend. Tpr Matt Donah located a vehicle matching the description a short time later, and stopped it. He then realized the fugitive fairy had dropped the sweaty passenger back into the car! The passenger somehow had some energy left and ran from Tpr Donah. Now deep into a urban project area, Lt. Thomas Daly observed the suspect run into one of the apartments, where Lieutenant Daly interrupted a good ol’ fashion “crack and weed” party, as well as a half-dozen uncooperative inhabitants quickly trying to stash their contraband. With the original bad guy secured, the responding backup, in the form of Tpr Paul Kudryk, Tpr Matt Simpson (OUI-CAT) and Tpr Glenn Witaszek secured the other ne’er do-wells and their drugs. The B-3 pinch book was then filled up with a series of drug and warrant arrests after the party was broken up and the original suspect felt really bad about getting his neighbors all locked up.

Later that same night, Tpr Amy Waterman, while on a commute home from the eve shift at SP-Springfield, stopped a car after an RMV query revealed it’s license plates belonged on a different vehicle. While in conversation with the operator, Amy was informed he didn’t have a license, and with no documentation that the vehicle was registered, or even who it belonged to, exit orders followed. While Tpr Waterman was trying to get the driver out, he stepped on the gas and drove off, with Tpr Waterman holding on for dear life trying not to get run over by the back tires. She was eventually able to break away from the car as she was being dragged and radioed for assistance. Help came from the mid shift braves of SP-Springfield, this author as well as  all of the B-CAT troopers who were still in the barracks booking all of the arrests from the above paragraph. K-9 West Teams including Tpr Andy Martindell, Tpr Sean Maher and Tpr Dave Stucenski also arrived and wasted no time starting tracks. Tpr Justin Grigg located the passenger of the now-abandoned car hiding behind a house, who was  quickly arrested and secured for disturbing the peace. After some field research, Tpr Waterman was able to identify the operator, and learned he not only had a revoked driver’s license, he also possessed an active arrest warrant. After a lengthy but unsuccessful search, Tpr Waterman applied for, and received an arrest warrant for the suspect. The next day, a determined and motivated MSP VFAS Team located and arrested the subject, who was found hiding in his girlfriends house. Way to man up!

Earlier in the fall, Tpr Evan Breeding was patrolling the streets of Chicopee when he stopped a vehicle he saw had plates attached that belonged to another vehicle. During conversation with the operator, he detected an odor of the wacky weed, as well as the operator’s admittance to possessing a suspended driver’s license. Evan radioed for assistance which arrived in the form of Tpr Amy Waterman. With the driver and passenger out, Tpr Breeding performed a search of the vehicle which turned up a substantial amount of marijuana, (pre-packaged separately for consumer convenience), a digital scale, as well as oxycodone. The operator  was placed under arrest for the drug charges, as well as operating after suspension as a subsequent offense.

Tpr Stephen Gregorczyk (B-3), while monitoring traffic at a local elementary school, stopped a vehicle for a rejected inspection sticker. While speaking with the operator, the nefarious odor of the eeeevil herb was wafting into the afternoon air from inside the car. Exit orders followed for the operator, who produced from his jacket several bags of marijuana stuffed away. While he observed this, he looked over and saw the passenger making strange movements inside the car near his waist. Once the driver was secured, the passenger was removed and more bags of marijuana were found secreted in his unmentionables. Both the passenger and driver were arrested on drug charges as well as the school zone violation.

Tpr Mark Weiner (B-3) was conducting speed enforcement in Longmeadow one mid shift near the Connecticut line when he stopped a vehicle traveling 17 MPH above the posted speed limit. Tpr Weiner approached the vehicle on the passenger side, where he observed a a twisted plastic baggie being tucked out of view by the passenger. Exit orders followed for both parties after help arrived in the form of Tpr Keith Armstrong. After observing this bag of white chunky substance in plain view, a probable cause search was conducted which revealed 15 GRAMS of suspected Cocaine, as well as a substantial amount of marijuana. Both the passenger and driver were arrested on charges of Trafficking in Cocaine and Possession of marijuana with intent to Distribute. If you are going to transport that amount of bad things, please, keep it slow and stay in the right lane.

Tpr Matt Mielke (OUI-CAT) stopped a vehicle on the big road in Springfield one night after observing a marked lane violation. While in conversation with the driver, he could detect the distinct odor of someone burning a rope. Sometimes though, indicates burnt marijuana also. The nervous and visibly shaking operator was removed from the vehicle and a search was conducted based on the odor. Inside the car, Tpr Mielke locate a backpack full of weed, as well as another freezer bag full inside the center console, and yet another bag full appeared inside his pants. At the conclusion of the search, the  operator was placed under arrest and transported to SP-Springfield for booking. And a certain university, located in Amherst, was missing one of their twenty-five year old undergrads.

One afternoon in September, the hard-chargin’ troops of the Hampden County SPDU executed search warrants at two homes in Springfield. After a series of cocaine purchases using undercover troopers,  a large scale drug distribution ring was discovered operating out of these two homes. With the assistance of MSP STOP under the command of Sgt Aaron Washington, and Capt P. Higgins of Hamden SPDU, the warrant was executed and entry was gained. Several officers including Troopers Kevin O’Toole and Daniel Soto were involved and after a search was conducted on the home, a substantial amount of Cocaine was recovered and two subjects were arrested on charges including Trafficking in Cocaine as well as multiple drug violations within a school zone. While inside the home, they also located two  fugitives that possessed default warrants. One of them was based  on charges that occurred over 12 years ago…at least she doesn’t have to worry about hiding any more!

I’m not sure what it is about Tpr Sean Barry (B-CAT) that causes people to fight him all the time, but he once again found himself in a struggle one evening in September with another fine visitor from Hartford, on a day off from her job as a patient care aid. After a stop was conducted for a motor vehicle violation, Tpr Barry observed the extremely nervous female operator make a quick hand off of something to the passenger. Tpr Barry saw this behavior and requested another cruiser respond to assist him. Tpr Mike Trombley and Louis Rodriguez arrived and exit orders followed for the driver and passenger. Exit orders were met by active resistance to Tpr Barry’s efforts on the part of the driver. After some verbal judo was deployed by the Trooper-slash-DT Instructor, the operator was coaxed out, but not before she grabbed her purse and announced that Tpr Barry would not be permitted to search the purse, which was open on top and clearly displayed a bag of marijuana. When the trooper attempted to secure the operator before evidence was destroyed, she yelled at her passenger (her son) to run! A digital scale had already been found on the son by Tpr Rodriguez, and since his mom told him to do something, he complied without question. After a brief foot chase, Tpr Mike Trombley (whom you DO NOT escape from) caught up with him and a struggle ensued. Tpr Rodriguez, whom you also do not escape from, was able to deploy OC spray on the combative suspect and handcuffs were eventually able to be applied. All the while, Tpr Barry struggled with mom as she thrashed about and made some pretty non-lady-like threats against Tpr Barry . Eventually he was able to secure her in handcuffs and both the juvenile and his mother were booked on drug distribution violations in a school zone.

One night August, Hampden SPDU was once again hard at work in Springfield investigating a heroin distribution operation being conducted out of a home. After a lengthy investigation, and several controlled purchases were conducted, a warrant was executed at the home. With help from K-9 West’s Tpr Brian Gladu, B-CAT Troopers, and the rest of the Hampden County SPDU, the leader of the operation was quickl located and arrested, and a whole pile of evidence, cash, scales and packaged heroin was seized. Drug distribution charges including school zone violations followed, and the suspect was transported to SP-Springfield for booking.

Later that month, Tpr Brian Pearl was assigned to a Sobriety Checkpoint being conducted in Chicopee when he was directed by Sgt Eino Thompson (CARS) to screen a driver that was waved in due indicators of possible impairment. After the driver was finally able to park the car as directed by the trooper, field sobriety tests were conducted and “not passed”. After being arrested for OUI by Trooper Pearl, Trooper TJ Tudryn (SP-Shelburne Falls) conducted an inventory prior to the truck being towed. During the inventory, an unloaded and unsecured Shotgun was discovered under the seat, as well as several rounds of different caliber bullets and fireworks. Unlicensed firearms, ammunition and fireworks charges followed the original OUI charge and she was transported to SP-Springfield for booking.

Tpr Glenn Witaszek was dispatched to Route 291 in Chicopee one afternoon after SP-Springfield began taking calls of a man down beside his car on the shoulder of the highway. Upon Tpr Witaszek’s arrival, as well as this author and several other members of B-3, we located the disheveled male just barely standing by his car, which somehow acquired a flat tire against the curb. After observing the male had urinated on himself, and was covered in dirt after losing his balance, field sobriety tests were administered and failed. The operator had stated he pulled over to look for his friend’s hubcap when he lost his balance. It’s good to have friends, but please ensure their sobriety before they go off on a hubcap hunting adventure. He was eventually transported to SP-Springfield where he registered a blood alcohol content of three-times the legal limit.

Tpr Jonathan Nickles was cruising Route 91 in Springfield one recent mid shift when he was amazed to look out the driver’s side window of his FULLY MARKED cruiser to see a little black Subaru pass him as his he was standing still. Tpr Nickles quickly caught up to the speeding car and was eventually able to stop it. Obvious indicators of liquor impairment were observed by the trooper and exit orders followed for field sobriety tests. These tests were administered and failed, and he was booked at SP-Springfield where he registered a blood-alcohol content of almost three times the legal limit. As it turns out, the offender’s license was revealed to be REVOKED as a “Habitual Traffic Offender”.No kidding!

The B-CAT Team was out lowering the hammer again in Springfield when Tpr Brian Claprood stopped a vehicle which was revealed to have an expired registration status. The operator and passenger were asked to step out prior the the tow truck securing it, and an inventory was conducted. The blue lights of Tpr Claprood’s cruiser had attracted a crowd of local residents like months to a flame, so he requested assistance from Sgt Chester Warawka and Tpr Louis Rodriguez in case the crowd became hostile. This situation is not uncommon in certain sections of Springfield and Tpr Claprood recognized a deteriorating situation when she saw it. Upon their arrival, Tpr Claprood conducted the inventory and located a pill bottle in the glove compartment where the passenger was sitting, which contained 22 unprescribed Oxycodone pills. The passenger was placed under arrest for Possession of a Class B Substance as a Subsequent Offense.

Trooper Eric French was out patrolling Route 91 in Holyoke one morning when he stopped a northbound vehicle with Vermont plates with no registration sticker on it, and had a rear end that appeared so weighed down that it  was just barely not scraping the pavement below. While in conversation with the operator, he saw that everyone in the car was visibly nervous, and further observed several saws-all type blades scattered about. Tpr French was aware of several breaking and entering cases in the area where catalytic converters were being cut out of cars at junk yards. Victims had reported that similar saws-all type blades were found at the scene after they were used to cut piping to access the converters. The operator had a shaky story behind his visit to Massachusetts, and what the blades were for. As the conversation and story began smelling fishy, Tpr French requested assistance that arrived in the form of Trooper James Wood of B-6.  Trooper Wood observed an item hanging from a keychain inside the car that is commonly used to secrete drugs. He asked what that was for, where the operator unscrewed it and said he holds change in it. Tpr Wood saw it couldn’t hold anything larger than a penny, and also that it contained a white powder residue all over the inside. After observing this, as well as hearing different stories from every passenger in the car, a search of the car was conducted. The search revealed 19 Catalytic converters, a saws-all, several dozen blades, and other tools of the trade for someone looking to remove catalytic converters in the dark. The items were seized, and Tpr French contacted authorities in Vermont to learn more about the driver and passengers. Open cases for related offenses were revealed in Connecticut, and New York State Police advised that the vehicle Tpr French stopped was wanted in relation to a series of thefts in their state, as well as Connecticut. Tpr French’s lengthy investigation into this matter included trips to Connecticut, where along with CT State Trooper First Class Christopher Cope,  pieced together the crime that the suspects had committed before Trooper French stopped them in Holyoke. Multiple counts of receiving stolen property as well as possession of narcotics followed. Nice job!!

Tpr Paul Kudryk was out sweeping the streets of evil one night when he clocked a vehicle at 76MPH in a posted 45MPH zone. Upon stopping the car, his bat-skills detected all sorts of indicators of an impaired operator, and had him step out to perform some field sobriety tests. He proceeded to fail them, confirming Tpr Kudryk’s suspicions and he placed him under arrest for OUI. Once at the barracks, B-3′s newest guest became uncooperative and belligerent during booking. He pitched a huge fit and claimed he was having difficulty breathing. Tpr Kudryk offered to call him an ambulance to receive treatment for the ailments he was complaining about, but the prisoner demanded Tpr Kudryk take him instead. The demand was declined, and he instead refused to take the breathalyzer test and was charged with OUI- Third Offense.

Tpr Stephen Burgess (B-CAT) was out looking for trouble one day in July when he stopped a vehicle in Springfield after he learned the attached plates were stolen. Conversation with the operator led to exit orders, where Tpr Gregory Spahl arrived to assist. In plain view inside the car was a large fold of cash, which everyone in the car denied owning or knowing where it came from. With several indicators present, the CAT Team braves requested and received the assistance from Tpr Brian Gladu and his four-legged drug vacuum “Dash”. Dash wasted no time and located several bags of a substance believed to be heroin secreted in a hidden compartment. Charges including Use without authority, Possession to Distribute Class A, and receiving a stolen motor vehicle. All of this stemmed from the Trooper checking the vehicle after observing an illegal frame around the rear plate.

Before he defected back to C Troop, Tpr William Kokocinski was patrolling Route 91 in Springfield when he began clocking a motorcycle ahead of him at speeds well over 120 MPH in a posted 65MPH zone. After he recognized the bike operator had no interest in stopping, he followed policy and terminated the attempt to stop it. He radioed SP-Springfield of the description and direction of travel, and let the offender disappear into traffic. Tpr Dominic Ditomasso, working a PAID DETAIL, while on a a day off from SP-Lee, observed a motorcycle and operator matching the description that Tpr Kokocinski observed just under a half hour prior. He stepped into the slow moving travel lane in the construction zone and waved the bike in. The operator complied, and eventually owned up to running from a trooper a few minutes back so he didn’t get a speeding ticket. Not only did he earn the arrest for failing to stop for police, but also a charge of possession of marijuana. Back at SP-Springfield, a check of his criminal history revealed six arraignments, and three prior convictions for possession of the same garbage he possessed when he was arrested this afternoon.

Tpr Amy Waterman was out causing trouble earlier this summer when she stopped a vehicle in Springfield she realized had attached license plates. Conversation with the owner/operator revealed the car was unregistered, so Amy returned to her cruiser to check the driver and call for a tow. Two active arrest warrants were revealed, and Tpr Waterman returned to the car and took the operator into custody.  During an inventory of the car prior to it being towed, Tpr Waterman located an amount of Cocaine and Pepper Spray. He was booked at SP-Springfield and charged with possession of a firearm without a license and possession of a Class B Substance.

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