The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Officers praised for swift capture
PORTLAND >> Five police officers were recognized this week for their swift response to an incident at a local grocery store.
A Board of Selectmen meeting was held Wednesday evening, just under 24 hours after police confronted and arrested a gun-wielding man they say forced his way into the Tri-Town Foods supermarket and robbed the store of an unspecified amount of cash.
No one was injured in the incident, during which police also freed four Tri-Town employees who were herded at gunpoint into a room at the rear of the store at 316 Marlborough St. Portland police were aided by reinforcements
from Middletown, East Hampton and state police in containing the situation that evening.
As the selectmen convened their meeting Wednesday, First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield said, “We had a very serious situation last night. Fortunately, things worked out very well, thanks to the exemplary behavior and actions on our behalf by our police,” as well as the intercession of God, Bransfield said.
As Bransfield spoke, five police officers lined the back wall of the Mary Flood Room in the Portland Public Library, where the selectmen’s meetings are held. Moving to the lectern from which residents speak during selectmen’s meetings, Bransfield asked Lt. Ron Milardo to join her.
Trailed by the other four officers, Milardo stepped forward. As he did, Bransfield presented the 32-year veteran officer with a letter of commendation — and thanks — on behalf of the town for “averting a possible disaster” at the supermarket.
“As a Portland resident, allow me to express the appreciation and respect rendered for the demanding work that is accomplished to ensure our safety,” Bransfield said, reading from the letter. “Your swift and professional actions resulted in an excellent job while handling the challenging and emotionally intensive task.”The letter concluded, “Outstanding job!”
The 45 people in the room applauded Milardo as he accepted the commendation.
Identical copies of the letter,written by Bransfield and executive secretary Michelle Ceppaglia, were presented to the four other Portland officers who took part in the Tri-Town incident: Sgt. James Kelly, Officer First Class James Cappello, and officers Daniel Knapp and Paul Liseo.As the department’s highest ranking officer, Milardo works closely with Bransfield on both security issues and the day-to-day operations of the police force.Milardo confronted and disarmed the alleged robber as he emerged from the rear of the market Tuesday night. Liseo and Middletown Officer Joshua Ward raced to Milardo’s assistance when the suspect, Jayquan Swain, 21, of Portland, began resisting arrest, they said, adding that Swain had to be hit with a stun gun before he could be subdued by the officers.
Later Tuesday, as he recounted the circumstances that led to the suspect’s arrest, Milardo did not mention that the original report of the unfolding incident indicated four masked gunmen had invaded the store.
That turned out not to be the case. But Milardo did not know that when he confronted the suspect alone in the dark, snowy rear of the supermarket.
After she finished reading the letter, Bransfield stepped back to allow Milardo to speak.
“Retirement never looked so good!” Milardo said as he began his remarks.Milardo looked to his left, where Sgt. Scott Cunningham, Officer First Class James Capello and officers J. D. Brown and MichealRevicki were standing. Like Liseo and Ward on Tuesday, the four officers were demonstrating they had his back, Milardo said later.
His remarks reflected that sense of brotherhood and camaraderie.
“I can’t say enough about our department,” Milardo said. “Our guys came together as a team.”As a result, “Everything went down the way it was supposed to, and no one got hurt.”Milardo also expressed his appreciation for the rapid — and heavy — response from Middletown police.
“They must have sent 20 or 30 guys,” Milardo said. He also thanked East Hampton and the state police for their assistance.
Bransfield said on behalf of the town that she would send letters to all three departments — Middletown, East Hampton and the state police — for “their cooperation and their professional actions.”