Reps. Candelora, Zullo and Sen. Cicarella respond to announcement of dangerous East Haven arrest

Republicans applaud work of police, say legislative Democrats must wake-up to issue of community crime

House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora, state Rep. Joe Zullo, and state Sen. Paul Cicarella on Thursday released the following statement in response to an announcement from East Haven Police, who described an arrest of two individuals following a shoplifting call, with one of the alleged perpetrators charged with assault on police after ramming officers’ cruisers repeatedly:

“This serious situation in Foxon described by East Haven police today not only describes the danger faced by law enforcement professionals on a daily basis, but also the shortcomings of a criminal justice system that Democrats in the legislature insist is working just fine. That an individual with nearly two dozen active arrest warrants and multiple pending court cases is roaming freely is an indictment on the catch and release mentality that has infected policymaking and courtroom decisions. This incident could have very easily resulted in an officer or member of the public getting injured—or worse. We continue to marvel at the great work from officers such as those in East Haven, but at some point, the people who control the levers of state government must impose measures of accountability expected and deserved by residents across Connecticut who are beyond frustrated by brazen crimes in their communities. Thanks again to East Haven Police for putting themselves in harm’s way and resolving this dangerous situation.”

House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora represents the 86th Assembly District serving residents of North Branford, Durham, East Haven and Guilford

State Rep. Joe Zullo represents the 99th Assembly District serving residents of East Haven

State Sen. Paul Cicarella represents the 34th Senate District serving residents of Durham, East Haven, North Branford, North Haven, and Wallingford