Connecticut
House-Hunting Couple Kidnapped in Connecticut
House-hunting in Danbury, Connecticut, turned into a terrifying ordeal for a couple in their 50s on Sunday, police say. WABC reports that when the husband and wife arrived at a home in a gated community to meet a real estate agent, their Lamborghini was rear-ended by a van and surrounded by three other vehicles. The six suspects beat the couple with a baseball bat before they bound them with duct tape and pushed them into the van, police say. “The male victim was pretty bruised, pretty swollen and they indicated they were struck with a bat several times,” says Danbury Police Sgt. Steven Castrovinci.
Some suspects stole the Lamborghini while others drove off in the van, police say. A witness who saw the attack called police and followed the van as it sped away from the scene. After it crashed while making a turn, the suspects took off on foot and the kidnapped couple were found inside. They were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Four suspects were arrested at the scene and two others were found at a home in the nearby community of Roxbury. All six suspects face charges including first-degree assault, first-degree kidnapping, and reckless endangerment, Fox 61 reports
Police say the suspects don’t appear to have any previous connection to the victims. “We did a lot of background work on them, but at this time it doesn’t seem as they have any connections to the Northeast. They’re all Miami, Florida, guys,” Castrovinci says. WABC reports that the suspects were identified as Angel Borrero, 23; Reynaldo Diaz, 22; Anthony Pena, 23; Josue Romero, 26; Ricardo Estrada, 21; and Michael Rivas, 18. (More Connecticut stories.)
Connecticut
Gifts of Love provides for Connecticut families in crisis
Connecticut
Connecticut National Guard families come together for annual holiday event
HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) — On Saturday morning, families of the Connecticut National Guard gathered for an annual event designed to provide support and comfort during the holiday season.
Operation Embracing Lonely Families has been a tradition for 23 years, offering much-needed support to military families separated from loved ones who are deployed.
The event focuses on easing some of the financial burden and emotional stress that military families face during deployments, especially during the holidays.
“It’s an enjoyment because it brings everyone closer during the holiday so they can still be around their family too,” said Newton Maldonado, a National Guard soldier.
One of the attendees, Nicole Scalora, whose husband was recently deployed to Africa for a year, shared the challenges of military life.
“It’s tough. We have to take it one day at a time. Doing everything at home by yourself, not having that shoulder to rely on can be difficult. But I have a lot of family and a lot of support, so that helped a lot. Also, the military is constantly reaching out. Making sure that we’re good and that if we need help, they’re there,” she said.
Saturday’s event included treats and toys for the families, as well as a visit from Santa Claus.
The tradition, which began under former Governor Jodi Rell and continued by each subsequent Lieutenant Governor, has become a symbol of appreciation for those who serve and their families.
While this year’s ceremony was smaller in scale, organizers are expecting the event to grow significantly next year, with nearly 800 families anticipated to attend.
These families are affected by the various deployments of National Guard members overseas.
Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz expressed her gratitude, noting, “, I’m really glad for the people of Connecticut that our celebration is rather small, because it means our national guard families are here at home celebrating.”
The event remains an important opportunity for the community to come together and honor the sacrifices made by military families throughout Connecticut.
Copyright 2024 WFSB. All rights reserved.
Connecticut
Several vehicles and outdoor furnace destroyed in fire in Woodstock
Several vehicles and an outdoor furnace were destroyed in a fire in Woodstock on Friday night.
Firefighters from Muddy Brook Fire Department responded to Paine District Road around 9 p.m. for a report of a detached garage on fire with exposure.
When fire crews arrived, they said they found a 20′ by 20′ building with fire throughout.
According to fire officials, several vehicles and an outdoor furnace were destroyed in the fire.
The fire did not spread from the building of origin and no injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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