The following two email messages were distributed in Westville to alert people to a continuing problem: a stalker following kids in a white van.
First Message
Below is an email that I received this morning about the suspicious van that
has been in the neighborhood. It is an early 90’s white Dodge Caravan with
wood paneling on the side, CT License plate # 785TWY. He has been following
kids around the neighborhood and he has been doing this in the area for at
least 2 years. He has been seen in different vehicles over the years but
always the same license plate number. If you or your children have been
followed or are followed first call it into the police non emergency number,
946‑6316, or 911 if it is an emergency. The case number is #17414. There
is information below on how to follow up with a detective once it is
reported. Chief Lewis is asking for any information about this case and
if anyone has ever been verbally or physically approached by this guy. This
case will be discussed further at the Community Management Team meeting on
Wednesday, April 8th at 6:30pm at the Valley Street Substation. Please read
below.
Appended Message
To all:
I apologize for the length between updates. It has taken a bit of time to
get the information together from the various sources. Since the beginning
of the week, I’ve have messages from the chief of police, assistant chief,
the head of the special investigations unit, the SIU detective now assigned
to the case, the officer who pulled the van over on Sunday, March 29th, and
various other witnesses to this stalker’s behavior.
This stalker is BAD NEWS. As far as I know, he is STILL AT LARGE. The fact
that police stopped him in his very recognizable car may have scared him
away for a little while, but if past behavior is any indication, HE’LL BE
BACK.
A great deal of information came from the officer who stopped the car on
Sunday. He did some investigating, going so far as to send the Derby Police
all of the emails that have been circulating. He (Officer Shapiro) also
contacted the stalker’s probation officer (yes, he’s on probation). NHPD
Officer Shapiro told me that the stalker was arrested in a nearby town, less
than 5 years ago, masturbating in a car in a crowded parking lot. He,
according to Officer Shapiro, the stalker plea bargained his way out of
having to register as a sex offender. But, the plea and probation came with
restrictions, none of which the officer felt at liberty to share with me. Officer Shapiro told me the probation officer is looking at the emailed
evidence to determine if the stalker is in violation of his restrictions.
I realize a lot of you are looking at this, and seeing a lot more questions
than answers. I feel the same.
The block watch captain for West Rock Ave, Mary Faulkner, cc’d Chief Lewis
on an email she sent out. Chief Lewis is hoping to have his department
speak to anyone who’s had an actual contact (conversation, etc. ) with the
stalker. Direct contact doesn’t seem to be the stalker’s way. He just
likes to follow. I mentioned this in an email to Chief Lewis, and that
started a brief exchange that culminated in Chief Lewis promising to assign
a detective to the case. Assistant Chief Reichard sent me a message with
contact information for Detective Sgt. Martin Dadio (946‑6993), who heads up
the Special Investigations Unit. I called Detective Dadio on Tuesday, and
again on Wednesday, and left VM. He called me on Wednesday to say he had
assigned a Detective Higgins to the case. I called Detective Higgins on
Thursday afternoon at 2pm. She assured me that the case folder was on her
desk, and that she was working on it. I discussed my conversations with
Officer Shapiro, and my own experience with the stalker – the chilling
realization that he turned his car around to get a closer look at my
13-year-old son – who I was with at the time. She told me she is not in the
office tomorrow, but would call me on Monday afternoon to discuss. She also
said that my two children (my daughter was followed by the stalker on March
8, with her friend) may need to come in and give a statement.
If you, or someone you know has had direct contact with the stalker, please
call the NHPD at 946‑6316, mention the case #17414, and ask to speak with
Detective Higgins in the Special Investigations Unit. Document each
conversation, time, date, what was discussed. If you have been followed by
the stalker, please call the phone number above.
Please keep a watchful eye over your children, and be sure they travel in
groups, have safe places to go in an emergency, and if they carry cell
phones, be sure they know to call 911 or the main number for the NHPD,
946‑6316.
I realize this is a lot to take in, but if we are vigilant, and not afraid
to act, we’ll be able to keep our young people safe. In the best case, this
man would be taken off the streets permanently. I wouldn’t want him
prowling around ANY neighborhood.
… I encourage
everyone to take an active role in asking the police about this dangerous
man. I realize they have a difficult, and often thankless, job. We can
work together with them to eliminate this threat to our safety. I will call
the NHPD regularly to see if there is any news.
Thank you