Crime & Safety

Fire Log: Bomb Squad Detonates Grenades Seized by Darien Police

Authorities stand by as the Stamford Bomb Squad explodes grenades at the dump on Ledge Road.

The following information was provided by the Office of the Fire Marshal:

Monday, April 5

SMOKE SCARE: An early evening laundry attempt resulted in a smokey situation for one Swifts Lane resident. Fire Marshal Bob Buch says the washing machine "motor burned out," causing the machine to overheat. Noroton Fire Department responded to the scene at 5:10 p.m.

OVEN FIRE: Noroton Heights Fire Department responded to a Holly Lane home, where dinner preparations had caused an oven fire at about 5:45 p.m. Firefighters returned to the same residence on Saturday, April 10 to deal with a faulty air handling unit.

Tuesday, April 6

STANDBY/BOMB SQUAD: The Stamford Bomb Squad was called to the dump on Tuesday evening to detonate a number of grenades, rendering them useless to would-be terrorists. Darien Fire Department and Darien police were on standby during the 7 p.m. detonation. Police say the grenades had been seized from a Darien home last month, midst the March Nor'easter.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, March 10, police say 45-year-old Peter Ozols of Norwalk arrived at his father's house in Darien to deliver a letter, mistakenly delivered to his home. Letter returned, Ozols went back to his car, pulled out a pistol, turned and said: "I'm going to shoot the cocaine addicts."

According to police, Ozols was referring to his sister and her husband—a claim that police say cannot be substantiated.

"They don't get along. There's some bad blood between the two of them," said Capt. Fred Komm of the Darien Police Department.

That Friday, Ozols' father called his daughter, also a Darien resident. He told her about Wednesday's run-in with her brother and the threat he had made. The following day, just as a near-hurricane started to gain momentum, Ozols' sister arrived at the Darien Police Department to file a complaint.

Darien police soon obtained a risk warrant and a search and seizure warrant; and at about 11:30 p.m., arrived at the Ozols' Norwalk home, where he was placed under arrest on charges of threatening in the second degree and disorderly conduct.

"The pistol in question was found in the nightstand," said Capt. Komm.

That wasn't the only weapon police recovered. Also in the nightstand: three "realistic" hand grenades, four bricks of fireworks, fuses and some homemade M80s. Police say 50 firearms of various kinds—23 of which were registered—and 25 large boxes of ammo were found elsewhere in Ozols' home.

Bond was set at $10,000. Ozols had a court date of March 14.

Thursday, April 8

MVA/INJURY: Noroton Heights and Darien Fire Department responded to an accident on the I-95 southbound between exits 10 and 11. Darien Fire Chief Rick Weatherstone said the accident did not require extrication. Post 53 assisted with minor injuries.

HAZARDOUS CONDITION: A tree removal at the intersection of Brookside Drive and Gracie Lane brought a tree down and the wires with it. The wires, considered live, were crossing the street. Darien Fire responded to the scene at 4:38 p.m. to secure the roadway to traffic.

MVA/INJURY: Noroton Heights Fire assisted Post 53 with clean up of a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of West Ave. and William Street just before 8 p.m.

Friday, April 9

HAZARDOUS CONDITION: Before a Hollow Tree Ridge Road resident could have his car towed, he first needed the fire department to ensure the vehicle was not leaking gas. For safety reasons, AAA will not tow any car that has had even a slight gas leak, said Buch. Noroton Heights Fire Department responded to the residence at about 3:46 p.m. to ensure the car was "towable."

MVA/INJURY: Darien Fire Department responded to the scene of a motor vehicle vs. pedestrian accident that took place just before 5:45 p.m. at the intersection of Post Road and Birch Road. Post 53 assisted with injuries.

Saturday, April 10

MVA/INJURY: At about 5:30 p.m., Darien Fire Department responded to a minor accident involving two cars at the intersection of Post Road and Mansfield Ave.


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