Greenwich Police Honors Its Own

Four Greenwich Police officers have been honored as officers of the month for their efforts to nab a suspected car burglar and a quartet of suspected jewelry store robbers.

Community Impact Officers Keith Hirsch, Daniel Paladino and Michael Rooney were named Officers of the Month for September for their investigative work that identified suspected car burglars who were plaguing residents on the west side of town for several months last year.

Det. Sgt. Thomas Kelly was named the October Officer of the Month for his work in helping to round up four suspects in the Sept. 23 foiled heist of watches from the Lux, Bond & Green jewelry store on Greenwich Avenue.

In a prepared statement, Greenwich police detailed the work of the community impact officers in the car burglary spree.

"The officers of the Community Impact Section were assigned to investigate a string of car burglaries that plagued the west side of town during the summer and fall of 2010. The officers diligently investigated each instance of theft and were ultimately able to identify a single suspect. On the strength of the officers’ arrest warrant, the Greenwich Police Department was able to obtain two extraditable felony arrest warrants. The officers’ investigation into the whereabouts or our suspect ended when he was found to be incarcerated in New York. The suspect was eventually extradited to Connecticut to answer for his crimes."

“Officers assigned to the Community Impact Section are selected in part because of their work ethic, self starting energy, and ability to work as team. During this extensive investigation the officers invested a significant amount of their discretionary time which they balanced against their other equally important cases," according to Patrol Division Commander Capt. Timothy Berry.

Berry said, "The suspect’s apprehension solved two motor vehicle thefts, 40 car burglaries, and probably another 100 car break-ins that occurred in both Westchester County, NY and Fairfield County; clearly demonstrating the positive impact that their efforts had on not only in Greenwich but upon the regional community as well. The officers truly lived up to the high expectation we place on this section.”

In detailing Kelly's efforts, Greenwich police said in a prepared statement, "At 3:15 p.m. (Sept. 26) the Greenwich Police Department was alerted that the Lux, Bond and Green jewelry store was being robbed. Detective Sgt. Thomas Kelly immediately responded to the area to assist officers involved in a foot pursuit of one of the suspects.

"Kelly located and made the initial apprehension of one of the four suspects. That initial capture was the pivotal moment for a quick conclusion to this investigation. After the apprehension, Kelly supervised the investigative effort in this incident with many hours spent pursuing the remaining suspects into their hometown of New York City.

"Four suspects were ultimately determined to be involved in the robbery, three of which have been arrested. An arrest warrant has been obtained for the fourth suspect, who remains on the run. All of the suspects have extensive criminal histories with one of the suspects having been released from prison just 4 days prior to the robbery."

Capt. Mark Marino, detective division commander, said in a statement, “This is a classic example of Sergeant Kelly’s resourcefulness and dedication to duty.  He always seems to be in the right place at the right time and is very deserving of this recognition.”