New Britain cleaning lady accused
of stealing over $5K worth of items
Monika Kiczuk, 18, of 415 Burritt St., New Britain, was cleaning the homes May 12 and May 13 when one owner noticed several items missing, police Capt. Brian Mullins said.
“They reported it immediately but the other owner didn’t realize at first that their jewelry had been taken,” Mullins said.
Kiczuk allegedly took jewelry estimated to be worth about $3,000 from one home May 12 and then may have stolen the laptops and other items valued at $2,249 from the second home on May 13.
Kiczuk was a new employee of the cleaning company when the thefts occurred.
She and her boyfriend, Michal Stasiak, 20, of the same address, then sold the items on the street or to pawn shops, Mullins said.
The pair turned themselves in to police Monday to face charges of third-degree burglary, two counts of third-degree larceny and two counts of conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary. They were each held on $100,000 bond after their arraignments in Bristol Superior Court Monday.
Stewart announces cuts; pools will remain open, July 4th fireworks canceled
NEW BRITAIN — With a severe cutback in revenue this year, city officials are working to identify services that will be cut and which ones will remain in place.
Mayor Timothy T. Stewart Tuesday announced some of the results of that work, saying that city pools will remain open during the summer season but that next month’s Fourth of July fireworks display will be cancelled.
Stewart signed off on a $217-million municipal budget last week for the 2011-2012 fiscal year but still must determine how many layoffs will be necessary and other services to be cut to stay within the spending plan.
But in his announcement Tuesday, Stewart said it’s not feasible to keep the fireworks show and the “Great American Boom” that precedes it. Both normally take place at the pond around Stanley Quarter Park July 4. The Boom event includes shows, rides and a variety of vendors.
“While this event has long been a tradition that many both inside and outside of New Britain look forward to each year, we cannot in good conscience hold a discretionary event that costs the city close to $50,000 for fireworks and overtime while it’s still possible employees will lose jobs and more essential city services will suffer,” Stewart said.
The city pools — A.W. Stanley, Willow Brook and the Willow Brook Splash Park — will be spared. Hundreds of young people use the pools every summer. Willow Brook and the splash pool are scheduled to open June 18. A.W. Stanley will be delayed by rehabilitation work, officials report, but will be open this summer.
More than a dozen residents spoke in favor of the splash park at a recent Common Council meeting. The decision to keep the pools open was met with a sense of relief Tuesday by those who use them.
“That splash park means everything to these kids,” said Ana Trammell, who takes her three young children there. “For my kids, who do not go to school in New Britain, it allows them to socialize with kids from the community.”
Damany Vega, a minister at Iglesia De Dios Casa Del Alfarero, a nearby Spanish church, said upward of 100 parishioners go to the splash park on a regular basis.
“These kids would get in trouble if it were not for this park,” Vega said. “I am very excited and proud that the city listened to our concerns.”
Stewart said it costs about $175,000 to operate the pools. He said they’re remaining open because the city is seeing about $200,000 in savings from the sale of properties and the fact that 20 vacant city positions will not be filled.
Stewart noted that opening the pools also prevents young people from misbehaving during the summer months.
“The reality is that many kids could get into trouble or get hurt by mischief such as illegally opening up fire hydrants,” he said.
The pools and splash pad will be open seven days a week. For more information on specific times, call the Parks and Recreation Department at (860) 826-3360.
By Lisa Backus
Staff Writer
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New Britain man arrested for May gunpoint robbery
NEW BRITAIN — A city man was arrested on charges he held up a man at gunpoint behind a market in May, police said.
Michael Kennedy, 23, of 50 High St. allegedly told a man he knew he wanted to talk to him behind the market at 75 Arch St. May 16 and then proceeded to pull out a gun, police Sgt. Jeanette Saccente said.
“He said, ‘Give me all your money,’ and the victim handed him whatever cash he had,” Saccente said.
“The victim’s girlfriend then began chasing the suspect down the street but he was able to get away.”
The victim told police he recognized Kennedy as the robber, Saccente said. Kennedy was taken into custody by Hartford police Monday and turned over to New Britain officers.
He was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree larceny, and second-degree threatening.
He was also served with an arrest warrant for violation of probation.
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