Police Continue Public Works Theft Probe

By Andrew Gorosko

Police Chief Michael Kehoe said this week that police detectives were putting some finishing touches on their investigation into the theft of a substantial amount of money from the town Public Works Department on Turkey Hill Road.

The police chief was not specific about the amount of money missing, but acknowledged that it is “in excess of $10,000.” Establishing the amount of money that was taken has proved to be a “very difficult” task, he said.

The police chief said the target of the probe is a former town employee. Chief Kehoe declined to disclose the person’s identity.

“I think we’re wrapping up our investigation and tying up loose ends in preparing reports,” Chief Kehoe said.

The police chief said police hope to submit their investigatory report to Danbury Superior Court by late this week or early next week. Through that report, police would seek an arrest warrant. 

In such cases, police submit an arrest warrant application to a prosecutor, who reviews the police evidence. If the prosecutor believes there is “probable cause” to presume guilt, the matter is referred to a judge for review. If a judge endorses the warrant application, an arrest warrant is issued and police then serve it on the person accused of the crime.

The theft of more than $10,000 amounts to first degree larceny, which is a Class B felony.

The public works department handles fees that are collected at the town’s waste transfer station on Ethan Allen Road. Waste transfer station users pay various fees to dump household garbage and demolition debris at the facility. The department also collects fees for various road construction work.

Police started their investigation several weeks ago. The first selectman had requested that police pursue an investigation concerning the missing money after it became apparent that something was financially amiss at the public works department.