Car thefts in Connecticut surged 33% in 2023, ranking among the highest increases in the nation. Thieves utilize methods like leaving keys in cars or hacking key fob codes. Lawmakers have responded by increasing penalties for juvenile offenders. Connecticut’s theft rate is the highest in New England.

A man from Westchester County, New York… known as “the Magician”… has been charged in connection with a massive $100 million tax fraud scheme involving tens of thousands of false federal income tax returns. Rafael Alvarez, the CEO of ATAX New York, is now accused of orchestrating a decade-long scheme where his company submitted tax returns with fabricated deductions and credits, defrauding the IRS of over $100 million. His skills in filing false returns earned him the nickname “the Magician” among his clients. Over the time period involved, federal investigators say his company prepared about 90,000 federal income tax returns for customers.

A driver who Ridgefield Police say fled the scene of a crash in Ridgefield one week ago, has been apprehended. 38 year old Tyrone Barham of Waterbury had drugs and unexplained cash in his possession when he was nabbed by Ridgefield Police. The crash took place last Wednesday, April 10, around 10:30am on Ridgebury Road. When police arrived, the found a motorcycle in the road without the rider present. In a nearby yard, they also found a backpack and a jacket… along with narcotics and a gun. Barham now faces a string of charges, including possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a firearm. He is now behind bars, with bond set at $100,000.

New Fairfield’s 2023 grand list showed a decrease of nearly $2.4 million from the previous year, now totaling about $1.7 billion. The decline may impact the mill rate, affecting taxpayers in the upcoming fiscal year.

Newly released data from the Public Health Institute reveals that nearly 7% of residents under 65 in Fairfield County are without health insurance. In fact, the rate is the highest among several Connecticut counties, with New Haven and Litchfield Counties following closely at 6% and 5%, respectively. The report from the Kaiser Family Foundation underscores the serious health risks associated with lacking coverage, including reduced access to preventative care, delayed medical attention, and increased medical debt.

Bad economic news today for Connecticut, where Sikorsky, a major player in Connecticut’s aerospace industry, has announced that it is preparing to lay of hundreds of employees in the state. That news comes following the U.S. Army’s decision to cancel plans for a new armed scout helicopter. The lay offs will reportedly come primarily from engineering and digital technology positions that would have been pivotal in developing the now-scrapped helicopter. State officials are already assisting impacted workers, aiming to connect them with new job opportunities.

A Fairfield County man has been charged with attempted murder after Fairfield Police say he stabbed his partner multiple times during a domestic dispute on Mountain Laurel Road in Fairfield. The victim, at last report, remained in serious condition following the incident. In addition to the charge of attempted murder, 51 year old Robert Van Weddle also faces charges of assault and disorderly conduct. Weddle remains in custody, and the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

Animal advocates are reporting a troubling increase in cases of abuse and neglect across Connecticut this year. The severity and frequency of these incidents they say, are alarming, with reports ranging from a malnourished dog to a pit bull discovered dead with signs of trauma and neglect. In just one small area, they noted 33 new cases this year alone, compared to 28 during a similar period in that area last year… calling it a disturbing trend of escalating violence against animals, reflecting broader societal issues. Investigations into these cases continue, with many groups offering rewards for information leading to arrests.

ARKA Group’s Danbury Mission Technologies plant has unveiled an $85 million expansion, boosting its capacity for producing cutting-edge imaging systems for satellites and military use. The investment is seen as underscoring Danbury’s pivotal role in advanced aerospace technology and national defense contracts.

A man living under an alias here in Connecticut has been extradited to Canada to face charges for two homicides. According to federal officials, Kensworth Francis, originally from the Bahamas, was apprehended in Hartford last month after a search by Canadian authorities. The charges stem from an incident in July 2022 at a nightclub in Ontario, where Francis allegedly opened fire during an argument, resulting in the deaths of two security guards and injuring a woman. He was discovered in Hartford living under a false identity and in possession of multiple firearms and ammunition. Canadian authorities have now brought him back to Ontario to face justice.