This story has been updated since Fairfield Police made additional arrests in the case.
FAIRFIELD – Fairfield Police have additionally charged a Bridgeport man with robbery in the first degree with a firearm and larceny in the second degree in connection to an armed robbery of News Express on March 2.
On March 25, Fairfield Police arrested Wesner Thelamour, age 40, of Bridgeport, on a warrant in connection with the armed robbery of the convenience store at 200 Tunxis Hill Road in Fairfield. Thelamour was held on a bond of $175,000 and is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on March 26.
He was originally arrested on March 9 and charged with carrying a pistol without a permit. Thelamour was transported to the Fairfield Police Department, where he was processed and held on a $20,000 bond. Additionally, detectives found multiple pieces of evidence as a result of the search warrants that will result in additional charges relating to the robbery. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
During the incident, which took place at 9 p.m., a masked individual entered the store, displayed a handgun, and demanded money from the store employee. The suspect obtained an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing the area on foot. No injuries were reported during the incident and the Fairfield Detective Bureau responded immediately to process the scene.
Since that night, the Fairfield Police Detective Bureau had been actively investigating several leads developed in the case. Detectives are working in coordination with the Stamford and Bridgeport police departments to identify and track down individuals connected to the incident.
During the investigation, detectives identified similarities between this incident and cases being investigated by the Stamford Police Department.
Anyone with information regarding similar incidents is encouraged to contact the Fairfield Police Detective Bureau at (203) 254-4840. Anonymous tips may be submitted by texting the keyword FPDCT and your message to 847411 (Tip411), or online at fpdct.com/tips.
UI finishes Derby Junction Ansonia transmission line project
ORANGE —United Illuminating (UI) has completed the Derby Junction Ansonia transmission line rebuild project. The project involved rebuilding the existing transmission lines within the 4.1-mile corridor between Derby Junction in Shelton, spanning the Housatonic River, and crossing portions of Derby and Ansonia, ending at the existing Ansonia Substation.
The steel lattice towers were replaced with single and double circuit monopoles, improving the reliability of the electric transmission system for customers in Connecticut and New England.
“It is critical that we continue to invest in our infrastructure and replace before the point of failure to ensure a strong and resilient grid that our customers can rely on,” said Frank Reynolds, UI president and CEO. “As storms intensify and energy demands grow, these upgrades are essential protections for the communities we serve. I am grateful for the work of our teams, and support of community partners, that allowed us to complete this project that will deliver benefits for decades to come.”
The previous transmission line structures were originally built in the early 1920s. Over the years, the transmission lines have been upgraded several times in response to increasing demand for electricity. In 2012, UI began comprehensive engineering studies to assess the existing lines, and it was determined that they would need to be replaced to maintain safe and reliable power for customers.
Connecticut Project’s Vazquez joins SoundWater board of directors
STAMFORD – SoundWaters has announced the appointment of Darien resident Mirellise Vazquez of The Connecticut Project to its board of directors.
The region’s leader in climate science education has hired Vazquez to join the 30-person board.
Vazquez, who has more than 20 years of experience working in public and non-profit sectors, serves as vice president of investment for The Connecticut Project. She leads philanthropic strategy development, stakeholder engagement and the design and implementation of the organization’s social investments and grantmaking efforts.
“Mirellise is a strong community leader with a deep understanding of community investment,” said SoundWaters President Leigh Shemitz. “Her experience across philanthropy, policy and public service will be a tremendous asset to SoundWaters as we continue to strengthen our programs and expand our capacity.”
A respected leader in philanthropy and public policy, she brings more than 25 years of experience advancing equitable systems change at the local, national and international levels.
Prior to joining The Connecticut Project, she was executive director of the Tauck Family Foundation, and she held policy and advocacy roles with ChildFund International and the International Planned Parenthood Federation’s Western Hemisphere Region.
Vazquez began her career at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs, where she focused on child labor and education technical assistance programs, research and policy.
Her commitment to community leadership extends across Connecticut as she serves as one of two Connecticut representatives to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s Community Development Advisory Council and is a board member of the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy. She is also a founder and former vice chair of Building One Community.
Vazquez earned a Master of Public Policy and International Affairs and has a Certificate in Latin American Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. She received a bachelor’s degree in governance from Franklin & Marshall College.
