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Tuesday, may 20

Josh Lanier

Assistant Managing Editor

jlanier@dailyvoice.com

Josh Lanier started his reporting career in high school for his local newspaper. Many — many — years later, he’s still chasing leads for compelling stories. During his time writing for newspapers, magazines, and online publications, he’s covered everything from murderers to mommy bloggers, but his most interesting story is always the next one.

Josh Lanier's Contributions

News

Group Confronts Alleged Child Predator In Ansonia — Now Naugatuck Man's Behind Bars A Naugatuck man is facing serious charges after police say he was caught trying to meet up with someone he believed was an underage girl. Roger Pratt, 36, was arrested on a warrant for possession of child sex abuse material, Ansonia police said. Police say the arrest followed a disturbing investigation that started when a group of private citizens used social media to communicate with Pratt. These individuals, who track potential child predators online, posed as a child online and lured Pratt to meet them in Ansonia, police said. The confrontation was shared with local authorit…

05/20/2025

Police & Fire

Manchester Police ID 24-Year-Old Windsor Locks Man Found Shot Dead Inside Idling Car Police have identified the man found dead in an idling car early Tuesday morning, May 20, authorities said. Jordan Patterson, 24, of Windsor Locks, was found just before 4 a.m. with a single bullet wound to his torso in the driver's seat of a vehicle near Irving and Woodland in Manchester, police said. First responders attempted life-saving measures but were unable to revive him. Manchester police are investigating the shooting. Police urge anyone with information on Patterson's death or who may have witnessed the incident to contact Detective Kaczerski at (860) 645-…

05/20/2025

Police & Fire

Man Stabbed Twice In Head While Walking In Middletown In Unprovoked Attack: Police A 33-year-old Middletown man was rushed to the hospital after being stabbed in the head during what police say was an unprovoked assault Monday night, May 19. Officers were called to the area of 188 Pearl Street just after 9 p.m., as paramedics were treating the man's head injury. The victim told police that he was walking on Grand Street when someone came up behind him and stabbed him on the top of his head. He said he was stabbed a second time before he managed to run toward Pearl Street. He stopped on Pearl, where a neighbor called 911, police said. Paramedics took the…

05/20/2025

Police & Fire

New Haven Wrong-Way Driver Had 3 Times Legal Limit Of Alcohol In System: Police A New Haven man is facing multiple charges after Connecticut state troopers said he was caught driving drunk and the wrong way on Route 15 — without a valid license. Juan Escalante, 27, was stopped just after midnight Tuesday, May 20, after multiple 911 callers reported a car traveling north in the southbound lanes, according to Connecticut State Police. Troopers found him parked on the right shoulder of the northbound entrance ramp near Exit 59 shortly after. Escalante showed clear signs of intoxication. “Escalante's eyes were watery and bloodshot, and the strong odor of an alcoholic bever…

05/20/2025

Police & Fire

137 MPH In 25 Zone: CT Influencer Posted Videos Speeding In Durham Residential Areas, Cops Say A 27-year-old Connecticut entrepreneur, luxury car shop owner, and social media influencer has been arrested after posting multiple videos of himself driving at dangerously high speeds through residential neighborhoods, authorities said. Giovanni Petruzziello, of Durham, was arrested and charged with seven counts of reckless driving and three counts of second-degree reckless endangerment, Connecticut State Police said. Troopers began investigating Petruzziello earlier this month after receiving a tip about videos shared to his more than 255,000 social media followers that show him speeding …

05/20/2025

Police & Fire

Ram-Page in Ledyard: Pickup Driver Smashes Mailboxes Before Hitting Rock Bottom, Police Say An intoxicated pickup truck driver’s destructive ride through Connecticut came to an abrupt stop when he found himself stuck between a rock wall and a group of angry homeowners. Franciszek Palosz, 47, of Franklin, was arrested after allegedly smashing several mailboxes in Gales Ferry, according to Ledyard police. Palosz’s Dodge Ram lived up to its name when it plowed into multiple mailboxes on Friday, May 16, around 7:15 p.m., along Vinegar Hill Road. The chaotic drive ended when the truck struck a rock wall in a driveway, making an escape impossible, police said. When officers arrived, th…

05/20/2025

Police & Fire

Fire Guts Top-Ranked RI Oyster Bar — A Favorite For CT Diners A beloved Rhode Island oyster bar and restaurant, recently named one of the best in the nation, was likely destroyed in an early morning fire, according to reports. Matunuck Oyster Bar, located in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, caught fire shortly before 4 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20, CBS News reported. Firefighters arrived to find flames and heavy smoke pouring from the two-story building. Strong winds intensified the blaze and hindered firefighting efforts, Union Fire District Chief Steve Pinch told USA Today. Crews were able to extinguish the fire after a fierce battle, but the restaurant i…

05/20/2025

Police & Fire

Driver Found Dead Inside Running Car In Manchester; Police Investigating Update: Police said the 24-year-old Windsor Locks man had a single gunshot to his torso. Click here for more information. Original: A man was found dead inside an idling car early Tuesday, May 20, prompting an investigation into the cause of death, authorities said. Police discovered the man unresponsive and slumped in the driver’s seat near Irving and Woodland in Manchester streets just before 4 a.m., authorities said. First responders attempted life-saving measures but were unable to revive him. His identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin. As part of th…

05/20/2025

Police & Fire

Stamford DoorDash Scammer Was Murdered Before Trial, Now Feds Scramble To Return Stolen Money Federal officials have recovered more than $736,000 linked to a Connecticut-based scam targeting DoorDash drivers. But the man behind the scheme was murdered just two days before a court appearance, and now prosecutors must figure out how to return the stolen cash. Police began investigating David Smith in January 2023 when Stamford police responded to a domestic violence call at a local apartment, the U.S. Attorney for Connecticut said. Inside, officers found a 9mm handgun with an extended magazine and multiple safes stuffed with $736,040 in cash, along with 118 credit and debit cards, most…

05/19/2025

Police & Fire

CT Man Guilty Of Sexually Assaulting Vernon 12-Year-Old Girl; DNA, Texts Prove Key Evidence: DA A Connecticut man was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl, after a Tolland County jury returned four guilty verdicts in a case that stunned the local community. Bryan Jaworski, 48, of Manchester, was convicted of two counts of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of illegal sexual contact with a minor under 16, the Connecticut State's Attorney said. When questioned before his arrest in 2023, Jaworski told investigators he met the girl on a dating app and believed she was 18 or older. He said they never did anything but kiss, reports from the time note…

05/19/2025

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