2 Milford Cops Honored For Working On 'Dangerous Crime" Incident

MILFORD, CT — Two Milford police officers, Stephen Napoletano and Colin Lacey received a certification of commendation for their work on a "dangerous crime" incident, according to officials.

Police Chief Keith Mello stated he is proud of the work of the officers.

Deputy Chief Brian Rojee explained that back in mid-January 2021 an increase in myriad of issues was noticed along the Route 1 corridor in Milford in the parking lots of many of the stores.

He said in some cases individuals in vehicles would do laps around parking lots and when they noticed a woman walking back toward her car, and putting items in her car that they would swoop in and take her purse or take it out of the car, according to police commission meeting minutes. In some cases, firearms were involved and in sometimes they actually took off in the car, officials said. He stated they have seen a spike in these crimes.

In this case, Lacey saw a car enter the mall parking lot and recognized it as a reported stolen vehicle, officials said. He followed the car and lost sight of it temporarily. Another officer saw the vehicle and when the driver saw Napoletano he fled, according to police commission meeting minutes.

Napoletano radioed the direction of the traveling car and Lacey went to that area and saw where the vehicle was going, but the vehicle crashed into an unoccupied police vehicle, officials said. The driver was taken into custody and found to be a 13-year-old. Also involved was a 14-year-old and two 15-year-olds and a pistol was also recovered.

Rojee commended the excellent work of these two officers.