Police Blotter: Over $35K in Valuables Reported Missing

The following information was provided by the Darien Police Department:

Monday, Jan. 25

MISSING JEWELRY: A female resident on Sunswyck Road reported a platinum diamond and emerald wedding ring, and 2.5 carat platinum engagement ring as missing. The rings are valued at $6,800 and $2,800 respectively. The owner told police that she does not normally wear the two bands, which she keeps in a jewelry box on her dressing table in the master bedroom. It was Jan. 16 when she last saw the rings, and Jan. 19 when she noticed the jewelry box was open—her pearls had been moved in the box. Some maintenance work—carpet cleaning—had recently taken place in the home, she said. According to Captain Fred Komm the rings "have not turned up," and the incident is under investigation.

Wednesday, Jan. 27

CHIMNEY SCAM ARRESTS: Police arrested 51-year-old Clifford E. Kearns of Sheldon, NY and 26-year old John R. Rastrellie of Stuart Fl. following a sting operation in which the two men tried to scam a 79-year-old Darien woman of $13,000 of unnecessary chimney repairs.

Each subject was held on $25,000 bond and faces charges of Larceny 2nd degree of a Victim Over 60, Conspiracy, Possession of Marijuana, Failure to Provide Duplicate Notice of Cancellation, Failure to Orally Notify Notice of Cancellation, Failure to Possess Contractors Registration, Impersonating a Registered Home Improvement Contractor, Failure to Posses/Display Connecticut Sales Tax Permit.

Police and Consumer Protection representatives urge residents of all ages to take the necessary precautions when investing in home repair. Scammers don't discriminate.

Read the full story here: Don't Get Burned: Police Warn of Chimney Scams

MISSING CASH: Equinox Gym filed a report when they the $704.20 they noticed missing from the drop safe on Jan. 13 failed to materialize. Gym representatives say that the person responsible for dropping the funds in the safe on the evening of Jan. 12 denied taking the money. Police say there are no signs of forced entry to the safe; they are interviewing various employees but have no leads as of yet.

Thursday, Jan. 28

FENDER BENDERS: Police dealt with eight minor accidents throughout the day, which they attribute to the unanticipated snowstorm.

DRUG POSESSION: 18-year-old Herbert Velez of Stamford was arrested at 2:30 p.m. for possession of 1.1 grams of marijuana and operating an unregistered vehicle. Police say that Velez was driving on West Ave. where he was stopped for driving with a temporary plate that expired in November. It was then that police noticed "a distinct odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle," Capt. Komm said. A small baggie of marijuana was found in the ashtray. Velez posted $200 bond and has a court date of Feb. 8.

Friday, Jan. 29

DWI: Did you know that you have to come to a full stop before turning right on red? Robert Steczkowski of Fairfield didn't—and faced the consequences. Police pulled Steczkowski over at 9 p.m. when he breezed through a red light, turning right off the I95 Exit 11 ramp onto the Post Road. His Ford Escape also had defective tail lamps. Police report noticing a "strong odor of alcohol;" Steczkowski failed his field sobriety test. He posted $250 bond and has a court date of Feb. 8.

LARCENY: Darien Police headed downtown to David Harvey Jewelers on the Post Road on Friday afternoon after receive report at 2:38 p.m. that a man had swiped a "high-end Rolex." According to the jewler, a man—described as a slender, five-foot ten black male, perhaps 25 to 30 years of age, dressed in a navy blue peacoat and brown checkered newsboy-esque hat—waltzed into the shop and asked to see a number of watches at once. That's against store policy, said the salesman, who proceeded to place a $24,800 Rolex on the man's wrist, marked with a noticeable circular scar. The man then bolted out of the shop, down the Post Road, and into a "beat up" silver Toyota with NY plates, operated by a co-conspirator, police say. A similar incident was reported at a New Canaan jewelers. In that case, police say nothing was taken. The incident is under investigation.

Sunday, Jan. 31

DWI: 47-year-old Douglas Warchick of Norwalk was pulled over at 12:12 a.m. for traveling 45 miles per hour on a marked 25 mile-per-hour stretch on Tokeneke Road, en route to Norwalk. Police issued Warchick a field sobriety test after noticing his glassy, bloodshot eyes and alcoholic breath. Warchick failed the test and was charged with speeding and DWI; he posed $250 bond court and has a scheduled court date of Feb. 10.