Putnam Police welcome K-9 ‘Spike’
PUTNAM — Putnam Police Chief Christopher Ferace introduced the newest addition to the Putnam Police Department, K-9 “Spike”. Spike is a 14-month-old long haired, male German Shepherd, and is handled by Officer Roy Hicks, a 4-year veteran of the Police Department.
Officer Hicks and K-9 Spike will start their formal training this September at the East Hartford Police Department K-9 Academy.
The first phase of training will include suspect tracking and apprehension, evidence recovery, and tracking of missing and endangered persons.
The second phase of training will include scent detection for narcotics and dangerous drugs.
Upon completion of their 12-week training program Officer Hicks and K-9 Spike will be certified by the North American Police Work Dog Association and be assigned to the Patrol Division.
The addition of Spike was made possible by a $32,000 grant from the Stanton K-9 Foundation in Massachusetts which assisted in the onetime purchase of the K-9, training expenses, associated equipment, and to assist with upfitting of the dedicated cruiser.
The dedicated police cruiser was donated by the generosity of Craig Gates and the Gates Auto Group. A Dodge Durango Pursuit SUV was provided the department.
The Gates Auto Group has been a long-time supporter of the Putnam Police K-9 Unit donating a cruiser for our K-9 Team the past 15 years.
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Promotions and Proud Group
Kristin Duethorn, right, owner and head instructor at Quest Martial Arts in Thompson, announced the promotion of the following students to First Degree Black Belt: Douglas George, Victoria Salley, Angie Seraphin, and Raymond Mills.
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The following charges were listed in the Putnam Police Department logs. The people charged are innocent until proven guilty in court. The Town Crier will publish dispositions of cases at the request of the accused. The dispositions must be accompanied by the proper documentation. The Putnam Police Department confidential Tip Line is 860-963-0000.
Aug. 20
Vaughn Wilson, 47, School Street, Putnam; failure to register as sex offender-OTHR J.
Aug. 21
Jeremy Carestio, 47, School Street, Danielson; second-degree breach of peace, disorderly conduct, third-degree assault.
Aug. 22
Dannielle Burditt, 42, N. Chestnut Street, Wauregan; two counts second-degree failure to appear.
Kevin A. Gaugh, 50, Ballouville Road, Killingly; criminal violation restraining order – not stay away.
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Man charged with 2nd-degree sexual assault
PUTNAM — A Tiverton, R.I., man turned himself in to the Putnam Police Department Aug. 20 after being notified of a warrant for his arrest, said Putnam Police Chief Christopher Ferace.
Gerald Hill, 67, of Jacqueline Way, Tiverton, was charged with second-degree sexual assault related to an investigation initiated in November 2023.
The accused was processed and released after posting the $125,000 Court Set Bond and issued a court appearance date of Sept. 3 at GA 11, Danielson Superior Court. No further details of the investigation are available. All accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty
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