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Friday, apr 25

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

Police & Fire

Car Carrier Erupts Into Flames On I-95 In Early Morning Norwalk Fire A truck hauling multiple vehicles caught fire early Wednesday, April 9, on Interstate 95 in Norwalk, destroying several cars in the process, authorities said. The flames broke out around 5:50 a.m. near Exit 14 South on I-95, Norwalk firefighters said. Four of the six cars on the carrier were destroyed in the fire near Exit 14 South. Norwalk Fire Department Firefighters believe the blaze started in the truck’s brakes. The driver couldn't use their fire extinguisher to put it out, which allowed the flames to creep onto the vehicles on the trailer, officials said. Four of …

04/09/2025

Police & Fire

Plainville Woman Who Opened Fire Inside Bristol Police Station Gets 12 Years In Prison A 53-year-old woman who admitted to firing multiple shots inside a Connecticut police department lobby in 2023 has been sentenced to 12 years in prison, authorities said. Suzanne Laprise, of Plainville, pleaded guilty in February to attempted first-degree assault and was sentenced on Tuesday, April 8, according to Bristol police. She must also serve five years of probation once she's released. She faces another eight years behind bars if she violates it. Laprise stumbled into the Bristol Police Department at 131 North Main St. around 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 6, 2023, pulled out a 9mm pistol…

04/08/2025

Police & Fire

Grand Slam Bust: Failed Fairfield ATM Heist Helped Break Burglary Cases, Police Say A break-in at a popular Connecticut diner turned into the key that helped police crack a string of crimes across Connecticut, authorities said. Police say three men tried to steal an ATM from the Southport Diner during a late-night burglary on February 2 but didn't get away with a dime. Instead, they left a trail of damage and evidence tying them to other crimes in neighboring towns, Fairfield police said. Fairfield detectives worked with regional law enforcement partners to identify the suspects and link them not only to the botched ATM theft but also to multiple burglary cases acros…

04/08/2025

Police & Fire

Vernon Funeral Home Owner Stole $71K From Clients to Fund Gambling, Shopping Sprees: Police A Connecticut funeral home owner was arrested this week after police said he embezzled $71,000 from mentally and physically disabled clients, using the funds to gamble, shop, and dine out. Philip Pietras, 51, of Coventry, was taken into custody on Sunday, April 6, and charged with first-degree larceny, according to Connecticut State Police. Police began investigating Pietras in October 2024 after a financial agency that manages funds for disabled adults reported discrepancies in payments sent to one of Pietras’ funeral homes. Pietras owns four funeral homes, including Bassinger and Do…

04/08/2025

Obituaries

Bicyclist Killed In Hartford Hit-Run Crash ID’d As 42-Year-Old Local Man Authorities have identified the 42-year-old cyclist who was fatally struck in a hit-and-run crash earlier this week. Nick Thompson was riding his bicycle along Main Street near the intersection with Capen Street in Hartford on Monday, April 7, when a vehicle rear-ended him and then crashed into a parked car, police said. The people inside ran away before officers arrived around 7:30 p.m. Paramedics rushed Thompson to a nearby hospital, but he was later pronounced dead. Tributes poured in on social media, where friends and community members shared memories they had with Thompson. Many descr…

04/08/2025

Police & Fire

Bullet Found In Waterbury Elementary School Classroom Police in Connecticut are investigating after a bullet was found inside a classroom at a Waterbury elementary school, and they’re asking the public for information. The loose bullet was discovered on Friday afternoon, April 4, at John G. Gilmartin Elementary School, located at 94 Spring Lake Road in Waterbury, authorities said. Waterbury police recovered the bullet and searched the building, but no other projectiles or weapons were found. Investigators said there was no threat to the school, students, or staff. Anyone with information about who may have brought the bullet to Gilmarti…

04/08/2025

News

$1M Lottery Jackpot: Plymouth Man Plans To Set Sail After Landing Payday A Plymouth man who scored a $1 million lottery jackpot will trade scratch-offs for schooners as he eyes buying a new boat with his windfall. John DeChellis won the seven-figure prize playing “$1,000,000 Ultimate 7," a $5 scratch-off game. He chose to take the lump sum payment of $650,000 (before taxes) rather than the annuity, which would have paid out the full amount over 20 years. Related: Lowell Man Has Big Plans After Winning $4 Million Lottery Jackpot DeChellis told the lottery he plans to use the money to buy a new boat and make some home improvements.&n…

04/08/2025

News

American YouTuber Jailed After Trying To Gift Diet Coke To World's 'Most Isolated' Tribe An American YouTuber is in an Indian jail after authorities said he allegedly tried to reach a forbidden island inhabited by an isolated and violent tribe of people to give them a Diet Coke, according to an ABC News report. Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, a 24-year-old from Scottsdale, Arizona, was arrested on Monday, March 31, and charged with attempting to access North Sentinel Island, the report said. The Sentinelese people are considered the "most isolated Indigenous people on Earth," according to Survival International. They speak an unknown language and have been known to be hostile to…

04/07/2025

Police & Fire

Killingly Man Strangled Cat, Stabbed Woman In Neck Amid ‘Downward Spiral': Police A Connecticut man in a "downward spiral" allegedly strangled a cat to death and attacked a woman with a knife, authorities said. Mackenzie Anderson, 26, of Killingly, was arrested Thursday, April 3, and charged with malicious killing of an animal, disorderly conduct, assault with a weapon, and unlawful restraint, Connecticut State Police said. Troopers responded to a Killingly home on Saturday, March 29, after a woman reported that Anderson had attacked her. He denies the claims, police said. A neighbor called 911 after the woman banged on their door around 7 a.m., pleading for help. The …

04/07/2025

Police & Fire

Wallingford Man Killed In I-91 3-Car Crash Just Days Before His Birthday A Connecticut man was killed after crashing into multiple trees following a three-car chain-reaction wreck on Interstate 91, authorities said. Manuel Benejan, 51, of Wallingford, died from injuries he sustained in the crash on Monday, April 7, according to Connecticut State Police. He would have turned 52 next week. Troopers responded to the wreck near Exit 13 in Wallingford around 6:45 a.m. An initial investigation found that Benejan was driving southbound on I-91 when, for unknown reasons, he veered into the center lane and struck a Nissan, police said. The impact sent the Nissan into a …

04/07/2025

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