Markeshia Ricks Photo
Tires and wheels disappeared from numerous cars parked in Westville.
Roosevelt’s nightclub was caught twice allegedly serving booze after having its permit revoked.
And the driver of a Camry drove fast at a car in the parking lot, got out, then sprayed the other driver’s eyes with Lysol, tased her, and stole her cellphone. Witnesses video-recorded the incident.
Such were some of the sad tales mentioned in Beverly Hills/ Amity/ Westville/ West Hills/ West Rock top cop Lt. Rose Dell in her weekly write-up of police calls in her district.
Her summary follows:
FROM 5/4/19 to 5/11/19 POLICE RESPONDED TO 184 CALLS FOR SERVICE IN THE WESTVILLE/WEST HILLS SECTION OF NEW HAVEN. THE FOLLOWING IS A BRIEF SUMMARY OF NOTABLE INCIDENTS:
On 5/6, a Chinese resident reported that he was contacted by an individual who spoke Chinese and claimed to be from a U.S. embassy. This unknown individual said that the resident’s passport had been “hacked” and that someone entered the country illegally with his information. The scammer then asked for some of his personal information, including his social security number. The resident’s mother, who was standing nearby, grabbed the phone and started to ask the caller some questions. The caller quickly hung up. PRO TIP: Government officials will never ask for personal information such as date of birth or social security numbers over the phone.
Thursday morning police responded to Central Avenue to investigate a theft from a vehicle that occurred in the overnight hours. The resident parked his car across the street from his home at around 10 p.m. When he entered his car at around 7:30 a.m., he found that his gun was missing from a gun box that was under his driver’s seat. His wallet and a pair of Versace sunglasses were also stolen. Forensic detectives responded to process the vehicle for evidence.
Two other residents in the area also reported car break-ins. A resident on Central Avenue found his passenger side door open and his dress socks, dress shoes, thermos, gym bag, and a Chinese stringed instrument stolen. Another resident on Alden Avenue found the contents of her glove box emptied into the cabin area, and the only item missing was a small cloth soccer ball bag with an old pair of Nike running shoes. She admitted that she forgot to lock her vehicle.
On 5/9, a resident of Alden Avenue woke up in the morning and found that all four tires had been taken off her Honda Civic that was parked across from her residence on Woodbridge Avenue. The vehicle (pictured above) was hoisted onto cinder blocks.
Another rash of wheel thefts occurred overnight on 5/10. Two were Honda Accords: one parked on the 900 block of Whalley Avenue and another parked at the complex located at 400 Blake Street. An Infiniti that was parked on Cooper Place was also found propped on some milk crates. PRO TIP: Park close to the curb and turn the wheels to a 45-degree angle after parking. Consider the purchase of either wheel locks or lug nut locks.
On 5/6, the liquor commission revoked Roosevelt’s liquor permit and posted numerous notices on the exterior of the establishment. On 5/10, police responded to Roosevelt’s on an anonymous call that alcohol was being served without a permit. Officers responded and found around 20 – 25 patrons who were being served alcoholic beverages. A security bouncer showed Officers a framed contract with the name of a catering company that had no permit number. No employees from the catering company were present. All patrons were told to leave the establishment. The owner was advised by telephone that he had committed a liquor permit violation and was advised to contact the Liquor Commission. On 5/11, police responded again to Roosevelt’s and found alcohol being served under a catering permit with no employees of the catering company present.
Friday afternoon Officer Michael Valente responded to an accident on Long Hill Terrace. The operator of a Nissan Altima was driving northbound on Long Hill Terrace towards Fountain Street when one of his wheels began to “wobble.” He tried to avoid striking a car parked on the street and swerved onto a front lawn and then struck a Ford Mustang parked in the driveway. The Mustang was pushed into a rock retaining wall. The operator of the Nissan was found at fault for the accident and given a summons for numerous violations including operating an unregistered vehicle and no insurance.
Saturday evening Officer Matthew Vernik responded to a robbery in the 1300 block of Whalley Avenue. The victim reported that as she drove her vehicle into the parking lot she was almost struck by a Toyota Camry traveling at a high rate of speed. The operator of the Camry got out of her vehicle, sprayed Lysol in her eyes, tasered her multiple times and then stole her cell phone off the dashboard. Officers found the taser and spoke to witnesses who had video recorded the incident.
Sounds like Detroit, crime capital.