Local students shine in eesmarts contest

Press Release multiple communities across the state,” said Meriden Detective Lt. Shane Phillips. “They were deliberately trying to engage police by driving in a reckless, dangerous fashion. We believe they are a substantial danger to the community and we see further charges.”

Green Acres Elementary School students Hanna Kim and Nathan Kim were honored as winners in the 18th Annual eesmarts Student Contest. Connecticut students in grades K-12 were able to choose from a variety of project formats, based on their grade level; including poems, essays, news articles, book reviews, posters, photographs, speeches, public service announcements, community-oriented projects, and more.

Hanna Kim won 1st place in the kindergarten category for her energy-saving poster. She illustrated ways people can utilize renewable energy sources and save energy, such as by turning off lights and water.

Nathan Kim took 1st place in the fifth-grade category for his children’s picture book titled “Anything is Possible.” His story follows a brother and sister who learn about different renewable energy sources and energy-saving tips. The two realize that saving energy is possible by making small adjustments in their daily routines.

Students from 18 schools in 15 communities submitted their work for consideration in the eesmarts contest, and 25 entries were selected as winners. Finalists received a prize box with a gift card and certificate.

For more information on the student contest and the eesmarts program, visit EnergizeCT.com/eesmarts.

According to police, after recklessly driving through Wallingford, and committing a robbery at Walmart, the suspects crossed the Meriden border on Route 5 Thursday, Aug. 10. Upon seeing police, the operator did a u-turn and crashed the stolen Hyundai into a cruiser at 385 S. Broad St. Six individuals, two adults and four juveniles, were arrested after trying to flee from police following the crash at about 7 p.m.

Robert Barbera, 18, of Broad Street, Meriden, was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, interfering, three counts of risk of injury to a minor, evading responsibility, operating without a license, reckless endangerment, first-degree reckless driving and engaging in pursuit. Barbera, who had an outstanding warrant in Cheshire, is being held on $1 million bond.

Also arrested was Kyle Mitchell-Howe, 20, of Maple Street, Meriden, who was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, and interfering. His bond was set at $500,000.

The four juveniles were not identified, but one individual had an outstanding warrant and was sent to juvenile detention in Hartford. No other information was available for the other juveniles.

Two firearms were found in the stolen Hyundai, in addition to items tracing back to the armed robberies.

Meriden Mayor Kevin Scarpati was visibly angry and shared police officials’ frustration with the state’s justice system for what they see as lax punishment for re- peat juvenile offenders and low bonds. He and other officials praised the collaborative efforts of the police departments whose teamwork throughout the spree helped apprehend the suspects.

“We are pleading to lawmakers and state courts,”

Scarpati called on residents to report incidents and tips to local police before posting on social media.

Several officers injured in the crash were treated at a local hospital and released, police said.

Specific details about the crimes were not disclosed as the cases remain under investigation. But police believe they are connected to the six individuals in custody.

Torrington Deputy Chief Captain Bart Barown described a female victim with a young child being threatened by a handgun on Wednesday, Aug. 9. She and other witnesses provided the license plate, which matched the Hyundai. The vehicle later traveled through Litchfield and into Waterbury. In Southington, the group was reportedly shoplifting at the Dollar Tree on Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike. By 3 p.m. they stole a purse at the Southington Walmart. Early Thursday morning, Aug. 10, while police responded to the car fire in Hubbard Park, a stolen Kia out of Wallingford, the suspects escaped in two other stolen vehicles. At 1 p.m. that day, in Walling- ford, the suspects allegedly brandished a gun at an elderly woman at Walmart.

State Rep. Michael Quinn, D-Meriden, attended last week’s press conference to discuss efforts to revisit juvenile justice laws.

Quinn said a special session on the issue would likely be ineffective, as special sessions are short. He said public hearings on the topic would need to be held.

Quinn, who is vice chair of the General Assembly’s Judicial Committee and sits on the Public Safety Committee, supports raising potential revisions of current judicial practices in the next regular session.

“You don’t want to do a knee-jerk reaction just to come up with quick solutions,” Quinn said. “There is some resistance.” He said juvenile justice reform “ was passed with the best of intentions. Sometimes it’s difficult for you to take a step back and look at what worked and what didn’t work. Clearly, it’s not just touching the inner cities anymore. It’s in all of our communities.” mgodin@record-journal.com

Scarpati said. “I don’t want to be here. This shouldn’t have had to happen because of repeat offenders and lax juvenile justice laws. It angers me to know what occurred because of the harm that our officers and residents were put in.”