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Meriden, CT

Teen Turns Himself In Months After Repeatedly Stabbing Man During Meriden Bar Brawl: Police Teen Turns Himself In Months After Repeatedly Stabbing Man During Meriden Bar Brawl: Police
Teen Turns Himself In Months After Repeatedly Stabbing Man During Meriden Bar Brawl: Police A violent fight inside a Connecticut bar left one man seriously wounded and sparked a months-long police investigation that ended with an 18-year-old turning himself in, authorities said. Cristofer Isreal Vasquez-Lequi, 18, is charged with first-degree assault in the Aug. 31, 2025, stabbing at El Imperio Disk Bar on Springdale Avenue in Meriden, according to police. Police said officers began investigating around 1:20 a.m. after a man arrived at MidState Medical Center with several serious stab wounds. Investigators later determined the stabbing happened during a physical altercation invol…
Ex-Meriden Teacher Accused Of Repeatedly Sexually Assaulting Student: Police Ex-Meriden Teacher Accused Of Repeatedly Sexually Assaulting Student: Police
Ex-Meriden Teacher Accused Of Repeatedly Sexually Assaulting Student: Police A former Connecticut high school teacher has been accused of sexually assaulting a former student, authorities said. Ciara Picard, 39, was arrested and charged with five counts of sexual assault involving a former student of Maloney High School in Meriden, police announced on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Meriden police did not provide many details about the alleged abuse, but investigators said it happened "years ago" while Picard was still a teacher at the school. She resigned in August 2025, according to police. An email to Meriden police for more information was not immediately returned. The stude…
Meriden Man Stabbed Girlfriend, Drove Into Her In Parking Lot Attack: Police Meriden Man Stabbed Girlfriend, Drove Into Her In Parking Lot Attack: Police
Meriden Man Stabbed Girlfriend, Drove Into Her In Parking Lot Attack: Police A Connecticut man is facing multiple felony charges after police say he stabbed his girlfriend and drove into her with a car during a violent attack outside a Meriden apartment tower. Shawn Samuel, 41, of Meriden, is accused of the May 31 attack that police say happened in the rear parking lot of the North Tower at 55 Willow Street. When officers arrived, they found a woman suffering from “serious stab wounds.”  She was rushed to Hartford Hospital for trauma care, Meriden Police said. Samuel and the woman were in a relationship.  Surveillance video captured the incident. The…
Head-On Meriden Collision Leaves Driver Fighting For Her Life, Sends Another To Hospital Head-On Meriden Collision Leaves Driver Fighting For Her Life, Sends Another To Hospital
Head-On Meriden Collision Leaves Driver Fighting For Her Life, Sends Another To Hospital A woman is fighting for her life after a violent head-on crash in Meriden that left two people seriously injured. Meriden police said the Friday, Aug. 22, crash happened around 10:30 p.m. at the intersection of Research Parkway and Pond View Drive when a northbound car crossed the center line and slammed into a minivan coming from the opposite direction.  The impact sent the car off the road, where it rolled over. Emergency crews had to cut the woman from the wreckage so paramedics could rush her to an area hospital, where she remained in critical condition, police said. Authorities d…
Authorities ID Inmate Who Died Following Medical Emergency At MacDougall-Walker Prison Authorities ID Inmate Who Died Following Medical Emergency At MacDougall-Walker Prison
Authorities ID Inmate Who Died Following Medical Emergency At MacDougall-Walker Prison Officials have identified an inmate who died after a medical emergency inside his cell at the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in Suffield. Lehman Blackmon, 48, suffered the medical event Wednesday, Aug. 20, and was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, corrections officials said Thursday. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is conducting an autopsy to determine Blackmon’s cause of death. Blackmon had a lengthy criminal history and was serving two sentences at the time of his death: a 14-month sentence for conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny i…
Walgreens To Close Torrington Pharmacy Along With 2 More CT Locations Walgreens To Close Torrington Pharmacy Along With 2 More CT Locations
Walgreens To Close Torrington Pharmacy Along With 2 More CT Locations Walgreens is not finished with its round of Connecticut closings. The company announced this week that it would close three more stores in the Nutmeg state, as the pharmacy giant reduces its nationwide footprint.  A company spokesperson said Walgreens would close stores in Hamden, Meriden, and Torrington in the coming weeks.  The company has already shut down eight locations across Connecticut this year, including East Hartford, East Haven, New Britain, and New Milford. The schedule for the next round of closures is:  The Walgreens at 1191 Dixwell Avenue in Hamden wi…
Vandals Damage, Destroy Nearly 100 Headstones At Historic Meriden Cemetery Vandals Damage, Destroy Nearly 100 Headstones At Historic Meriden Cemetery
Vandals Damage, Destroy Nearly 100 Headstones At Historic Meriden Cemetery Nearly 100 headstones and monuments at St. Patrick’s Cemetery were toppled, cracked, and gouged in a sweeping act of vandalism that police believe involved more than one suspect. Meriden police said they were called Tuesday morning, Aug. 12, to the cemetery at 94 Wall Street after several residents reported “significant vandalism and damage” to graves. A responding officer joined the property maintenance company to walk the grounds, where they found a trail of destruction. Some of the damaged headstones dated back to the 1800s and were “cracked in half and look to be unrepairable.” Others w…
Armed, Masked Meriden Man Threatens Waterbury Courthouse Marshals, Sparks Chase: Police Armed, Masked Meriden Man Threatens Waterbury Courthouse Marshals, Sparks Chase: Police
Armed, Masked Meriden Man Threatens Waterbury Courthouse Marshals, Sparks Chase: Police A Connecticut man is facing multiple charges after authorities say he threatened marshals at a Waterbury courthouse while carrying a pistol with live ammunition, police said.  Jose Torrez, 30, of Meriden, was arrested Wednesday morning, Aug. 6, after a chaotic chain of events at the Connecticut Superior Court on Grand Street in Waterbury, Connecticut State Police said. He had reportedly set off the metal detector at the courthouse entrance and refused to comply when Marshals asked him to empty his pockets.  Instead, officials say, he became aggressive and verbally threatened them.…
Meriden Man Guilty In Fatal Birthday Party Shooting; Faces More Charges In Separate Incident Meriden Man Guilty In Fatal Birthday Party Shooting; Faces More Charges In Separate Incident
Meriden Man Guilty In Fatal Birthday Party Shooting; Faces More Charges In Separate Incident A jury has found a Connecticut man guilty in the deadly shooting of 20-year-old Jyineez Cruz after a birthday party turned violent outside a downtown recording studio, prosecutors said. Brandon Ramos, 23, of Meriden, was convicted of manslaughter in the first degree with a firearm and carrying a pistol without a permit on Tuesday, July 29, according to state prosecutors. The charges stem from the early morning of Aug. 22, 2021, when an argument between Ramos and Cruz ended in gunfire in a Meriden parking lot. According to testimony and evidence presented in court, Ramos was hosting a birthd…
Meriden Motorcyclist Seriously Hurt In Crash With SUV That Pulled Into His Path: Police Meriden Motorcyclist Seriously Hurt In Crash With SUV That Pulled Into His Path: Police
Meriden Motorcyclist Seriously Hurt In Crash With SUV That Pulled Into His Path: Police A Connecticut motorcyclist is in critical condition following a crash with an SUV on Monday, July 28.  Police were called to the crash site on East Main Street in Meriden around 10:40 a.m. When Meriden police arrived, they found an orange Honda motorcycle on its side in the middle of the road and a male motorcyclist lying in the roadway several feet ahead of it. Nearby, a white Honda CR-V, which was involved in the crash, had backed up into the McDonald's parking lot.  The SUV driver remained at the scene and was cooperative with officers, Meriden police said.  The mot…
Northeast Classics Celebrated Among Best Summer Dishes In US: See The Rankings Northeast Classics Celebrated Among Best Summer Dishes In US: See The Rankings
Northeast Classics Celebrated Among Best Summer Dishes In US: See The Rankings Some of the most popular summer foods in the US come straight from the Northeast, according to a new survey. Mixbook has ranked the 100 most beloved summer dishes. The photo book website polled 3,003 self-described foodies. For grillmasters, New York's grilled strip steak and garlic scapes were ranked No. 3. "New York's agricultural regions produce top-tier beef, and summer grilling often centers around the strip steak — especially in the Hudson Valley," Mixbook said. "Paired with seasonal garlic scapes or grilled ramps, this dish reflects the state’s balance of urban sophisticat…
CT Mom Charged With Killing Her Baby Boy In Drunken Enfield I-91 Crash: Police CT Mom Charged With Killing Her Baby Boy In Drunken Enfield I-91 Crash: Police
CT Mom Charged With Killing Her Baby Boy In Drunken Enfield I-91 Crash: Police Just days before his first birthday, 11-month-old Isiah Ortiz was killed in an overnight crash on I-91 in Enfield. Now, his mother is facing serious charges, including manslaughter, authorities said.  Fransheska Stuart, 30, of Meriden, was arrested on Tuesday, July 15. Nearly 18 months after she crashed her 2006 Honda Accord just before 2 a.m. on Dec. 10, 2023, near Exit 45 southbound when she lost control, hit a guardrail, and the car flipped onto its side, Connecticut State Police said.  When emergency crews arrived, the metal of the car was compressing Stuart’s c…
ICE Arrests Spark Outrage: Meriden, New Haven Push Back After Student, Mother Taken ICE Arrests Spark Outrage: Meriden, New Haven Push Back After Student, Mother Taken
ICE Arrests Spark Outrage: Meriden, New Haven Push Back After Student, Mother Taken Two Connecticut cities are demanding answers and denouncing the administration of President Donald Trump after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested a mother in front of her children and a high school student weeks before his graduation. The first incident occurred in Meriden, where ICE agents detained 16-year-old Kevin Rosero Moreno, an honor roll senior at Maloney High School, last week. The Meriden Public Schools district said it was not informed of the arrest in advance. ICE has not disclosed details surrounding Moreno’s detention, but a GoFundMe campaign set up…
Already Jailed Man Now Charged In Meriden Armed Robbery, Carjacking: Police Already Jailed Man Now Charged In Meriden Armed Robbery, Carjacking: Police
Already Jailed Man Now Charged In Meriden Armed Robbery, Carjacking: Police A man already in jail for an alleged robbery now faces even more after police linked him to a carjacking and an armed hold-up at a Connecticut Domino's.  Keondre Ward, 27, was charged with two counts of robbery, larceny, and theft of a motor vehicle, Meriden police said.  Detectives say Ward was behind two violent crimes — one involving a carjacking at gunpoint and the robbery of the West Main Street Domino’s in Meriden.  The investigation, which began in November, led police to Ward, who was already behind bars on an unrelated robbery.  Investigators from the Mer…
Baseball Bat Attack: Meriden Man Sentenced To 12 Years For Beating Woman In Store, State Says Baseball Bat Attack: Meriden Man Sentenced To 12 Years For Beating Woman In Store, State Says
Baseball Bat Attack: Meriden Man Sentenced To 12 Years For Beating Woman In Store, State Says A Meriden man will spend more than a decade behind bars for a violent attack that left a woman with life-threatening injuries, after he beat her in the head repeatedly with a baseball bat, authorities said. Esteban Hernaiz, 57, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, followed by eight years of special parole, for the 2021 assault that violated a court-ordered protective order meant to keep the victim safe, the State's Attorney said on Thursday, May 29.  Hernaiz pleaded guilty to one count of assault in the first degree and one count of violation of a protective order. His sentence stems f…
Meriden Student Charged With Sparking Bathroom Fire At Middle School — 4 Injured Meriden Student Charged With Sparking Bathroom Fire At Middle School — 4 Injured
Meriden Student Charged With Sparking Bathroom Fire At Middle School — 4 Injured When fire alarms went off at Washington Middle School in Meriden on Monday, May 19, it seemed like a typical drill. But it quickly turned into a real emergency. Students were rushed out of the building and gathered at Falcon Field as fire crews responded to a reported blaze inside the school. Meriden firefighters found a fire had been set in a second-floor girls’ bathroom using paper towels. The building filled with smoke and the strong smell of fire, and crews had to work fast to clear the air. Three school employees were taken to MidState Medical Center to be checked for smoke exposure. A…
Student Sets Off Pepper Spray On Meriden School Bus, Prompting Emergency Evacuation Student Sets Off Pepper Spray On Meriden School Bus, Prompting Emergency Evacuation
Student Sets Off Pepper Spray On Meriden School Bus, Prompting Emergency Evacuation A Meriden school bus was evacuated Wednesday afternoon, May 21, after a student discharged pepper spray, authorities said. The incident occurred as the bus traveled past Ceppa Field on Gale Avenue. An email to police seeking information on the number of students on board, the school they attend, and how many were treated for injuries was not immediately returned. Meriden firefighters responded to the scene and decontaminated the bus. There were no serious injuries, Meriden police said. Some children were transferred to a different bus, while others were picked up by parents at Ceppa Field.…
Already Jailed Man Accused Of String Of Knife-Point Robberies In Meriden Already Jailed Man Accused Of String Of Knife-Point Robberies In Meriden
Already Jailed Man Accused Of String Of Knife-Point Robberies In Meriden A man already in jail for another crime is now facing new charges after police say he robbed three Meriden businesses at knifepoint and stole a car in a string of incidents that shook the city late last year. Anthony Pagano, 24, is accused of robbing a Family Dollar, Colony Gas Mart, and Village Liquor Mart in December 2024 at knifepoint, police said.  Not long after those robberies, Logan Steel was burglarized, and the robber stole a vehicle from the Meriden business. Investigators say the stolen vehicle matched the one seen in connection with the robberies. Pagano was already b…
Man Gave Loaded Gun To Child To Hide It From Cops During Meriden Green Drug Bust: Police Man Gave Loaded Gun To Child To Hide It From Cops During Meriden Green Drug Bust: Police
Man Gave Loaded Gun To Child To Hide It From Cops During Meriden Green Drug Bust: Police A convicted Connecticut felon tried to hide a loaded revolver by giving it to a child as police moved in on an active drug investigation at Meriden Green, authorities said. Osvaldo Rivera, of Meriden, was arrested and charged with possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, criminal possession of a firearm, and risk of injury to a minor, police said. Members of the Meriden Crime Suppression Unit were investigating reports of drug dealing at Meriden Green last month when they spotted Rivera and a juvenile, whose name was not released. Police said the child was carr…
Florida Man Sentenced To Prison In Meriden Sexual Assault Of 13-Year-Old Florida Man Sentenced To Prison In Meriden Sexual Assault Of 13-Year-Old
Florida Man Sentenced To Prison In Meriden Sexual Assault Of 13-Year-Old A man who admitted to sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in 2022 was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Wednesday, April 30, authorities said.  Gabriel Arroyo, 35, pleaded guilty to one count each of sexual assault in the second degree and risk of injury to a minor in Meriden, the State Prosecutor's Office said. The judge suspended his prison sentence after three and a half years.  He must register as a sex offender, and the judge issued a 30-year protection order for his victim.  Arroyo was arrested in 2023 in Florida after the teenager spoke to officers. He was extradi…
Car Plunges 40 Feet Down Embankment In Meriden; Teen Driver Hospitalized After Rescue Car Plunges 40 Feet Down Embankment In Meriden; Teen Driver Hospitalized After Rescue
Car Plunges 40 Feet Down Embankment In Meriden; Teen Driver Hospitalized After Rescue A 19-year-old woman was seriously injured when her car veered off the road and plunged 40 feet down an embankment, authorities said. The crash happened near the intersection of Woodland Ridge and Golden Street in Meriden on Wednesday, April 9, around 2:45 p.m., according to police. The woman, who was driving a Toyota 4Runner, lost control and drove down the steep embankment, where firefighters had to descend the slope and extricate her from the SUV, Meriden police said. Emergency crews successfully removed her from the vehicle, but she suffered serious injuries. Paramedics transported her …
Meriden Man Sexually Assaulted Multiple Teenagers: Police Meriden Man Sexually Assaulted Multiple Teenagers: Police
Meriden Man Sexually Assaulted Multiple Teenagers: Police A 35-year-old man was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting multiple underage victims, authorities said.  Winal Diaz, of Meriden, was arrested last week and charged with sexual assault on a victim 13 to 15 years old and illegal sexual contact under 16, police said.  Meriden police said they began investigating Diaz on Aug. 31, 2023, and uncovered "multiple victims," officials said.  Police did not disclose how he knew the victims or when the alleged attacks took place. 
Emaciated Dog Rescued After Giving Birth In Meriden; Puppies Still Missing Emaciated Dog Rescued After Giving Birth In Meriden; Puppies Still Missing
Emaciated Dog Rescued After Giving Birth In Meriden; Puppies Still Missing A severely malnourished puppy who had recently given birth was rescued over the weekend. She was dangerously thin, but her origin remains unknown. Meriden Animal Control found the dog — they later named her Petals — on Sunday, March 23, after teenagers spotted her running near Lincoln Plaza on West Main Street.  The hound mix was completely emaciated, with her ribs clearly visible through her thin coat. She was not wearing a collar and was not microchipped. After eating two meals, Petals began producing a significant amount of milk, suggesting she had very recently given birth. Rescue…
Meriden Man Vandalized Columbus Statue, Stole POW Flag, Cut Down American Flags: Police Meriden Man Vandalized Columbus Statue, Stole POW Flag, Cut Down American Flags: Police
Meriden Man Vandalized Columbus Statue, Stole POW Flag, Cut Down American Flags: Police A Connecticut man has been arrested and charged with vandalizing a Christopher Columbus monument in Meriden last month, authorities said. Marco Mejil Jr., 30, of Meriden, turned himself in to police on Tuesday, March 18, after a warrant was issued for his arrest, authorities said. The investigation began after officers responded to reports of vandalism near East Main Street and Broad Street on Feb. 25, where a statue of Christopher Columbus had been covered in graffiti. Officers also found a flagpole snapped in half, ropes cut, a POW flag stolen, and multiple American flags missing, Meriden…
Meriden Man Admits To Fatal Stabbing That Ended In Stand-Off With Police: State Meriden Man Admits To Fatal Stabbing That Ended In Stand-Off With Police: State
Meriden Man Admits To Fatal Stabbing That Ended In Stand-Off With Police: State A 20-year-old Connecticut man has pleaded guilty this week to a 2023 fatal stabbing that led to an hours-long stand-off with police, authorities said.  Josue Ortega-Torres admitted on Tuesday, March 11, to killing 44-year-old Justin Sloan Sr. on Hanover Drive in Meriden on July 8, 2023, the State's Attorney's Office said. He will be sentenced to 25 years in prison on May 8, per a sentencing agreement. Investigators said surveillance video captured Ortega-Torres, his clothing, and his car as it left the scene of the stabbing. He went home after the attack and tried t…
Meriden Woman Clocked At 100MPH Ran From Police Because She Didn't Want Criminal Record: Cops Meriden Woman Clocked At 100MPH Ran From Police Because She Didn't Want Criminal Record: Cops
Meriden Woman Clocked At 100MPH Ran From Police Because She Didn't Want Criminal Record: Cops A Connecticut woman caught speeding over 100 miles per hour on I-84 led police on a high-speed chase because she told troopers she didn't want a speeding ticket to blemish her criminal record, authorities said.  Natasha Ramos-Bauza, 26, of Meriden added multiple allegations to her criminal record, including engaging police in a pursuit, reckless driving, improper passing, and failure to maintain a lane, Connecticut State Police said.  Police spotted Ramos-Bauza near east Exit 46 in Hartford on Monday, March 10, around 9:45 p.m. driving at more than twice the 50 mph speed limi…
Man Crashes Into Meriden Pedestrian, Speeds Away Before Victim Hit By Another SUV: Police Man Crashes Into Meriden Pedestrian, Speeds Away Before Victim Hit By Another SUV: Police
Man Crashes Into Meriden Pedestrian, Speeds Away Before Victim Hit By Another SUV: Police A 73-year-old Connecticut man is recovering after being hit by two cars while crossing the street earlier this week. One of the drivers stayed to help, but the other allegedly sped away and was later caught, police said. Diego Mosqura-Garcia, 31, of Meriden, was arrested on Friday, March 7, and charged with evading responsibility in a crash causing serious injury, driving with a suspended license, and failing to exercise due care near a pedestrian, police said. Maurice Carrier was legally crossing Pratt and Cedar Streets in Meriden around noon Thursday when a blue Ford Explorer hit him and …
Meriden Man Ejected, Killed In Route 15 SUV Crash Meriden Man Ejected, Killed In Route 15 SUV Crash
Meriden Man Ejected, Killed In Route 15 SUV Crash Police have identified the man who was killed this week after he was ejected from a vehicle that struck a guardrail. Manuel Goncalves, 62, of Meriden, died on Thursday afternoon, March 6, after crashing his SUV on Route 15 in Meriden, Connecticut State Police said.  Troopers were called to Route 15 just before North Broad Street in Meriden around 4:30 p.m. after Goncalves' Suburban veered across a lane of traffic and into the center median to hit the guardrail. He was thrown from the SUV, authorities said.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.  It's unclear why he…
Pedestrian Hit By 2 Cars At Meriden Intersection Taken To Hospital Pedestrian Hit By 2 Cars At Meriden Intersection Taken To Hospital
Pedestrian Hit By 2 Cars At Meriden Intersection Taken To Hospital A pedestrian was taken to an area hospital after two vehicles crashed into them Thursday, March 6, in Meriden.  Police say the crashes happened at the Cedar and Park Street intersection with one driver remaining at the scene while the other sped away, police said. Authorities are searching for that vehicle. The victim's condition was not released. There were no other injuries.  This is a developing story. Check back with Daily Voice for updates.
'Heartless': Severely Neglected Dog Found Wandering Meriden Street; $6K Reward Offered For Info 'Heartless': Severely Neglected Dog Found Wandering Meriden Street; $6K Reward Offered For Info
'Heartless': Severely Neglected Dog Found Wandering Meriden Street; $6K Reward Offered For Info A tiny Yorkshire Terrier,  now named Johnny Mac, was found severely malnourished, seriously injured, and near death last month. Now, a local aid group is offering $6,000 to someone who can help investigators track down who did this to the dog.  Johnny Mac was found wandering on Thorpe Avenue in Meriden on Wednesday, Feb. 26. He had no collar and no microchip but a host of medical issues. The Good Samaritan who found him rushed the dog to Meriden Animal Control, according to a Facebook post from Desmond's Army, an animal advocacy group. All four of his legs were completely encased …
CT Man Busted After 'Pleasuring' Himself At Meriden Train Station During Morning Rush: Cops CT Man Busted After 'Pleasuring' Himself At Meriden Train Station During Morning Rush: Cops
CT Man Busted After 'Pleasuring' Himself At Meriden Train Station During Morning Rush: Cops A Connecticut man with a history of run-ins with law enforcement was arrested following a disturbing act at a New Haven County train station last year, authorities said. Justin Robinson, 23, was caught on surveillance video urinating in multiple locations at a Meriden train station before sitting on the ground, taking out his phone, and masturbating at 7 a.m. on Nov. 6, 2024, Connecticut State Police said. Authorities had been called to the station multiple times regarding Robinson’s behavior. Police reviewing the footage recognized Robinson from previous encounters, the arrest warrant said…