WFSB - Eyewitness News

20th Annual Wishes on Wheels held SundayEAST HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) – Dozens of wishes are coming true Sunday as Wishes on Wheels celebrates its 20th Anniversary. The event raises money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help kids with cancer. The event at Rentschler Field gives kids the chance to ride in their dream vehicle. They will have nearly 700 trucks to choose from. The convoy leaves Rentschler Field at 9:15 a.m. They will be joined by WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry. After the ride, Wish families will gather for a carnival at Rentschler. Registration for the event opened at 6:30 a.m. For more information on the event, click <a href="https://ct.wish.org/news-and-events/calendar-of-events/fy2019/20th-annual-wishes-on-wheels-truck-convoy" target="_blank">here</a>.
Early Warning Weather ForecastFrom Meteorologist Mark Dixon in the Channel 3 Early Warning Forecast Center… Today, 09.15.19: Low clouds and fog give way to a mostly sunny sky. Warmer and trending less humid. High: 80 inland, 79 shore. Tonight: Initially clear, then becoming mostly cloudy. Low: 57-62. Monday: Mostly cloudy, a chance for an isolated shower or thunderstorm. High: 76 inland, 77 shore. Tuesday: Mostly sunny, cooler and drier. Low: 52. High: 72 inland, 73 shore. Wednesday: Mostly sunny, cool. Low: 48. High: 71 inland, 72 shore. Thursday: Mostly sunny, pleasant. Low: 46. High: 75 inland, 74 shore. Friday: Partly to mostly sunny, warmer. Low: 55. High: 80 inland, 76 shore. Saturday: A mix of sun and clouds, warm. Low: 60. High: 82 inland, 79 shore.
Enfield Police looking for information on abandoned dogENFIELD, CT (WFSB) -- Enfield police are asking for public’s help to provide information on a dog that was abandoned in a crate. Police posted photos and information on Facebook, writing a German Shepherd with a blue collar and a black clasp was found in a crate down an embankment of State Street. Enfield Police Officer J. Ryan told Channel 3 the dog was located near a marshy area, but his crate was not in the marsh. The dog was taken to a local veterinarian where the dog was deemed healthy, but dehydrated, police said. Officer J. Ryan said the dog seems friendly, but is very scared. Police are encouraging those who recognize the dog or know his or her owner, to contact Officer Ryan at Jryan@enfield.org or by voicemail at 860-763-6400 ext 1414.
Two arrested on prostitution charges in Ansonia on FridayANSONIA, CT (WFSB) -- Ansonia police arrested two people on prostitution charges on Friday. Police arrested 41-year-old Ansonia resident James Costanzo was charged with permission and promoting prostitution, conspiracy to commit prostitution, and tampering evidence. Police also arrested 23-year-old Bridgeport resident Cristina Hernandez-Cruz was charged with prostitution and tampering with evidence. Hernandez-Cruz and Constanzo were arrested on Friday after police executed a search warrant at 70 Dwight Street as part of an ongoing investigation into prostitution at that location. During the search warrant, police also located firearms ammunition noting that Contanzo is a felon from a 2016 conviction in Federal Court on drug charges. Hernandez-Cruz and Constanzo both posted bond and were released with an expection to appear in Derby Superior Court on September 27th.
Firefighters remove seatbelt buckle from child’s fingerDANBURY, CT (WFSB) -- Both Danbury and New Fairfield Fire and EMS crews were called to remove a seatbelt buckle from a 5-year-old child’s finger. At first, crews tried to remove the buckle using oil, ice, wrapping the child’s finger with string, and a standard ring cutter tool to remove the buckle, but were soon tasked with finding stronger options. Danbury Fire Department Communications Coordinator James Gagliardo said due to the length of time the buckle was on the child’s finger, fluids began to collect and swell the child’s finger. Crews resorted to using a Dremel tool using a high-speed diamond cutter. The child and the father were shown the tool and the procedure was explained to them. Gagliardo said one firefighter used the tool to cut through the steel buckle, while another firefighter held and protected the finger with a safety guard. Additional firefighters sprayed a constant stream of water on the cutter to prevent the steel from overheating. After about 15 minutes, the buckle was removed, and the child was uninjured. The child was able to keep the buckle as a souvenir, Gagliardo said.
Motorcyclist injured in crash in East Haven on Friday morningEAST HAVEN, CT (WFSB) -- A motorcyclist is recovering from injuries sustained in a crash with a car in East Haven on Friday. Police said a motorcycle and a car collided in the area of Foxon Hill Road and Zolan Drive on Friday at about 7:15 a.m. Police said the motorcyclist was traveling eastbound on Foxon Hill Road when he was ejected from his motorcycle after colliding with a car that was traveling westbound on Foxon Hill Road. The driver of the car was not injured, police said. The motorcyclist was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital with a serious leg injury. Police are investigating the cause of the crash.
Two arrested after fight in Ansonia Stop & Shop parking lotANSONIA, CT (WFSB) -- Two men were arrested after getting into a fight over a parking spot at the Shop and Stop in Ansonia on Saturday. Police arrested 43-year-old Ansonia resident, Karim Crawford and 33-year-old Woodrow Ogman, also of Ansonia after they allegedly got into a fight and damaged each other’s cars at the Stop &amp; Shop on Division Street on Saturday morning. Police said Crawford, armed with a hammer and a metal police, assaulted Ogman, causing injury, and damaged Ogman’s car while a 14 year old was inside the car. Crawford was charged with assault, risk of injury, criminal mischief, and breach of peace. He was released on a $5,000 bond and is due in Derby Superior Court on September 30th. Ogman was charged with criminal mischief, breach of peace, and operating without a license. He was released on a $2,000 bond and is due in Derbu Superior Court on September 30th.
Suspect seen in surveillance wearing a blond wig in bank robbery arrestedMANCHESTER, CT (WFSB) -- Manchester Police arrested a suspect who was spotted in surveillance video wearing a blonde wig, on robbery charges. Police arrested 34-year-old, Vernon resident Frederick Johansen on charges of robbery and larceny after he allegedly robbed the People’s United Bank inside the Broad Street Stop and Shop last Sunday. Following the robbery, surveillance video caught Johansen running east on Broad Street. Johansen is currently being held on $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on September 26th.
Lawmakers to talk equal pay Saturday in New HavenNEW HAVEN, CT (WFSB) - Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro is hosting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Saturday to talk equal pay. The meeting at Gateway Community College in New Haven is part of the Speaker of the House series. The goal is to engage with communities across the country. Congresswoman DeLauro wants equal pay for equal work. Studies show the pay gap has narrowed, but women on average still make about $0.80 to every dollar men earn. In March of this year, the House of Representatives passed DeLauro's Paycheck Fairness Act. The bill aims to close loopholes in the Equal Pay Act of 1963 by: Holding employers accountable for discriminatory practices Ending pay secrecy practices Easing workers' ability to challenge pay discriminationStrengthening remedies for wronged employees The bill has not been called for a vote yet in the Senate. Saturday's meeting starts at 9:30.
Vernon mother claims son was arrested for planning to retaliate against his brother’s stabbingVERNON, CT (WFSB) – A mother is pleading for justice after she claims her son was stabbed on Friday evening and her other son, his brother, was arrested for planning a retaliation against the suspect. Channel 3 spoke exclusively with Vernon resident, Carly-Ann Merrill who said her 17-year-old son was walking home from a football game when she said he was stabbed over 10 times after being jumped by a group of more than 20 people on Friday. Two adults and a teenager were arrested in connection with a stabbing on Saturday afternoon, but police said they believe the three were planning to attack those who stabbed Merrill’s son. Police arrested 19-year-old Vernon resident Haley Machholz, 20-year-old Hartford resident Jakwai Soca, and a 15-year-old, Merrill’s son. They were charged with possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle. Vernon Police Department Lieutenant William Meier said the teen was stabbed multiple times in his torso, legs, and head on Friday night just after 10 p.m. near the Rails to Trails near the Ryefield Apartment Complex. “If you saw the extent of the stab wounds, where they are, they hit critical spots,” described Merrill. “He had staggered almost a mile to my home.” He was taken to Rockville General Hospital, but then taken to Connecticut Children's Medical Center where he remains in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. “His forehead had an inch-long gash that was a half inch wide, just gaping open, pouring blood down his entire face,” said Merrill. Lt. Meier said officers located Machholz, Soca, and the teen at the Terrace Drive apartment complex on Friday evening in a car that was believed to have been involved. “Inside that vehicle they found multiple weapons and through our investigation, we believe they were possibly trying to retaliate,” said Lt. Meier. “These officers likely prevented another incident.” Officers found a hunting knife, a baseball bat, and a wooden pole that had knife blades taped to both ends in their car. Lt Meier said the attack was not random and the teen was known to the assailants. “Unfortunately, my son did see his older brother with those lacerations and bleeding, and he was definitely not himself, so that probably may have caused him panic,” said Merrill. Machholz posted a $100,000 bond and is due in Rockville court on Sept. 24th. Soca is being held on a $100,000 bond and expected to appear in Rockville Court on Sept. 16th. The teen is being detained in juvenile detention. Police are investigating and working with Vernon School Officials on the case. Those with information are asked to contact Vernon Police at (860) 872-9126.