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Crime & Safety

Assistant Charged with Unauthorized Charges

A bill from Norwalk Hospital prompted an employer to look into the activities of his personal assistant.

Larcenous Spending Spree

A 43-year-old male resident of Father Peter's Lane became suspicious of his 28-year-old female personal assistant when Norwalk Hospital called to report they were having difficulty processing a check drawn on his account for $607. 

His suspicions were aroused because he had not written any checks nor authorized any payments to the hospital, he told police when he made his initial complaint on Sep. 4.

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He said further examination of his financial records revealed checks and credit card charges, which he told police were unauthorized, from Aug., 2010 to Aug., 2011 totalling $169,162.25.

The dozens of expenditures made on his accounts included travel, personal items purchased locally and in New York, rent payments, and checks made out to cash, according to the police report.

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Following what Sgt. Carol Ogrinc of NCPD called a "very involved investigation," a warrant was issued for first degree felony larceny for Helen Kaputsos, whose last known address was Raynham, MA. 

On Dec. 20, the received a call from the Mansfield, MA Police Department notifying them that they had run a check on a Porsche Boxster registered to Kaputsos. After confirmation that the warrant was extraditable, Mansfield police arrested her when she returned to the vehicle. 

Kaputsos waived extradition and was transported to New Canaan on Dec. 21. Her bond was set at $250,000, which she did not post. She appeared in Norwalk Court the next day.

Ponus Ridge Larceny Redux

A housekeeper faces additional charges on others items missing from the Ponus Ridge Rd. home where she worked.

According to police the housekeeper, Vilma Yesenia Guevara, admitted to taking things from the home and subsequently returned about $1000 worth of clothing and jewelry. Still missing were: an engagement ring valued at $15,000, a diamond necklace worth an estimated $3,000, a $350 TechMarine watch, and $900 Jimmy Choo handbag.

When the housekeeper called the complainant asking for her final paycheck, she offered to return the engagement ring in exchange for the check, according to the report. She agreed to meet her former employer at the New Canaan Police Station where she returned the ring and was arrested and charged with first degree larceny and false statement in the second degree. 

Guevara posted a $10,000 bond and was given a court date of Dec. 28. Police said an additional warrant will be applied for to cover the additional items.

Stoneleigh Road Burglary

On Dec. 21 at approximately 3:09 p.m. a 43-year-old resident reported to police that she arrived home to find her Apple laptop, which she had left on the dining room table, was missing. 

The resident told police she had left her home at about 12:40 p.m. and returned at about 2 p.m. There were no signs of forced entry; she had left the home unlocked, since cleaning people were expected, police said.

Items also missing: a gold pin valued at $500, a men's Cartier watch ($5,000), men's Breitling watch ($2,000), a large container of coins ($1,000, approximately), a wood watch winder display case ($3,000), and a pair of women's black Gucci boots worth approximately ($1,500).

Horton Lane Burglary

Later the same day, at about 3:38 p.m., a 38-year-old resident of Horton Lane reported the loss of an Apple iPad 2 ($800) and an iMac desktop computer ($1,300). Police report she said she left her home around 1:15 p.m., returning at about 3 p.m. According to the police report, she saw a sign of forced entry through a garage door, which was locked. She noticed the missing computers and discovered additional missing items: 2 1-gallon containers of loose change estimated at $1,500 and an air-compressor worth about $200.

Lawn Larceny

Police working on a private security detail on West Road observed a vehicle near the intersection with Dan's Highway. The police report said they saw people get out of the car, re-enter and then head south. The police followed and stopped the vehicle, which had one passenger in addition to the driver, they said.

The officers reported seeing alarm company signs in the back seat. The passenger, a 21-year-old male, was charged with misdemeanor larceny 6th degree. He was released on the promise to appear with a court date of Jan. 3.

The driver, Alexander E. Silverman, 21 of Marshall Ridge Rd., was charged with driving under the influence. He posted a bond of $250 and was also given a court date of Jan. 3.

Family Dispute

A male resident of Ponus Ridge Rd. came to the New Canaan Police station to make a complaint on Dec. 26. Police report they spoke with him and his wife concerning an argument, which they said became heated. The husband said his wife grabbed at him, ripping his shirts, slapped him and later hit his vehicle with a plastic tube causing minor hood damage and a cracked windshield. The wife was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal mischief, 3rd degree. The husband was charged with disorderly conduct. They were both released on the promise to appear. Their court date was today, Dec. 27.

[Editor's Note: This article was updated May 29, 2012.]

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