Connecticut
Family of Madison man killed in wrong-way crash on I-95 devastated
“To say that Mark made an impact wherever he went or on whoever, it’s for real.”
Michael Brotz spent some time Friday sharing how his brother-in-law, Mark Anthony Palumbo Jr., made that impact. One way was meeting people through his business, Madison Avenue Salon in Madison, where he was a part owner and a stylist. He was also a firefighter and owner of MAP Auto Detailing.
“He kind of had his hand in a few things but everything he did, he did it with passion,” Brotz said. The two were firefighters together and were close friends. Brotz eventually married Palumbo’s sister, something Brotz joked didn’t come easy at first, but their family bond grew stronger.
News of his death Wednesday spread beyond the family and made its way through town.
“I’m sure he’s going to – the family will – get a lot of support because his father is a businessman here so they all know the family,” said Earl Carta, a longtime resident of Madison.
Palumbo died Wednesday evening on I-95 in Westbrook. He was driving his prized 2014 red Ford Mustang when he was hit by a wrong-way driver. Troy Bree, of Groton, is charged with OUI and reckless driving.
“The biggest thing is that driving under the influence of alcohol or substances is intolerable,” Brotz said. “People really need to think about the damage that they can cause and the lives that they can change in the blink of an eye. And that’s exactly what happened on Wednesday night.”
“I just want to see him prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he added. “I don’t have a lot of forgiveness in my heart right now.”
The Palumbo family is working through levels of grief over Mark’s death. There’s a numbness for some, and others say laughter is helping the tight family support each other.
“I just loved Mark and I loved spending time with him, and I loved the person he was and how he cared for people.”
His brother-in-law says Palumbo’s love grew, and he softened a bit, when he and his wife Amanda welcomed their two girls Carina and Mia.
“Those girls just brought him so much joy and happiness it changed his life in a way that I don’t even think he expected that it could,” Brotz said.
And those are thoughts they hold onto as they try to imagine life without him. There is an outpouring of support for the family on social media. Brotz says it’s not something they expected, but they’re finding comfort in all the messages they’re reading.
“He was a gift to the world. I can’t really say more than that.”
Connecticut
Connecticut couple arrested for $1 million Lululemon theft spree across multiple states | The Express Tribune
A Connecticut couple allegedly stole nearly $1 million worth of Lululemon merchandise during a two-month, multi-state theft spree, according to authorities.
Jadion Richards, 44, and Akwele Lawes-Richards, 45, were arrested on November 14 for stealing high-end fitness apparel from stores in Minnesota, Utah, Colorado, New York, and Connecticut since September, as detailed in a criminal complaint reported by multiple outlets.
The theft spree was uncovered after Lululemon investigators noticed significant losses, which escalated when the pair triggered a security alarm while leaving a store in Woodbury, Minnesota.
Richards reportedly accused store employees of racially profiling him, the complaint stated. However, a company investigator alleged the couple had stolen at least 45 items worth $5,000 from various stores the previous day.
Police apprehended the pair and discovered multiple credit and debit cards, along with a key to a Marriott hotel room. Inside the room, officers found 12 suitcases, three of which contained approximately $50,000 worth of Lululemon merchandise, as per the complaint.
The company investigator estimated the total stolen merchandise could be worth up to $1 million, though the complaint did not detail how this estimate was calculated.
Lululemon merchandise is known for its high price points, with clothing starting at over $50 and sweatshirts often costing more than $130.
“This outcome continues to underscore our ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and our investments in advanced technology, team training and investigative capabilities to combat retail crime and hold offenders accountable,” Lululemon’s vice president of asset protection told NBC News.
“We remain dedicated to continuing these efforts to address and prevent this industry-wide issue.”
The couple allegedly used various tactics to commit the thefts, including one distracting store staff while the other hid the fitness apparel under their clothes and jackets, according to the complaint.
Connecticut
Connecticut man arrested in Puerto Rico for allegedly killing 4-month-old and Massachusetts mother
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Connecticut
Connecticut man dies nine days after being struck by car in Wall
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WALL – A 64-year-old Connecticut man has died from injuries suffered when he was struck by a car on Route 35 Nov. 9, police said.
Michael Losacano, of Niantic, Connecticut, passed away on Nov. 18 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, police said. Losacano was hit by a Ford Explorer being driven southbound on the highway near Wall Church Road by a 72-year-old Farmingdale man at about 6:42 p.m. Nov. 9, according to police.
Losacano was taken to the hospital by Wall Township EMS. The accident is still under investigation and police did not reveal the name of the Explorer’s driver.
The accident is being investigated by Wall police Sgt. Andrew Baldino, the Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team (SCART), and Detective Nicholas Logothetis of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or who has information relevant to the investigation is asked to call Wall police at (732) 449-4500.
Jean Mikle: @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.com.
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