Public Works Probe––

Police Await Court Response To Arrest Warrant Application

By Andrew Gorosko

Police this week were awaiting a response from Danbury Superior Court to their investigation into the theft of a substantial amount of money from the town Public Works Department by a former town employee.

Police Chief Michael Kehoe said March 17 that police have submitted their investigatory report on the theft to court officials for their analysis of the case. “We’ve sent it over for review,” the police chief said. “It’s a waiting game, right now,” he added.

In such investigations, police provide the court with evidence of possible criminal wrongdoing. A court prosecutor reviews the case and determines what criminal charges would apply, if any.

If the prosecutor believes there is “probable cause” to presume guilt of a crime or crimes, 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 the warrant on the person accused of the crime.

Chief Kehoe has not been specific about the amount of money missing, but has 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 has said.

Chief Kehoe has declined to disclose the criminal suspect’s identity.

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

The Public Works Department on Turkey Hill Road 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 last month. The first selectman had requested that police pursue an investigation concerning the missing money after it had become apparent that something was financially amiss at the Public Works Department.