Connecticut State Police Patch STATE OF CONNECTICUT
Department of Public Safety
1111 Country Club Road
Middletown, Connecticut 06457
 
Contact: 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2008
STATE POLICE MAKE ARREST IN HADDAM HOMICIDE

   Today, 04/07/08, at approximately 9:45 a.m., a male complainant walked into Troop F in Westbrook to report that he was involved in an incident that caused harm and the possible death of a person during the overnight hours. He reported that he had been involved in an altercation and that the person with whom he had the altercationcould be found on Plains Road in Haddam.

   State Troopers responded to the secluded area as described by the male suspect and did in fact locate the victim near the power lines off of Plains Road.  The subject was pronounced dead at the scene and this area was secured by the responding Troopers.

   Central District Major Crime Squad Detectives responded to the scene to initiate a criminal investigation into this incident.  State Police Detectives interviewed the complainant regarding this death.

   The deceased is identified by State Police as Stefan Lasak, DOB 2/14/86, 29 Hurd Hill Road, Haddam Neck.  In addition, a post mortem examination will be conducted by the Office of the Chief State’s Medical Examiner Office to determine the exact manner and cause of death.

   This afternoon, 4/7/08, the complainant/accused was formally charged by State Police in this case. He was processed at Troop F in Westbrook and is being held on $1,000,000 bond. the accused will appear in Superior Court in Middletown on 4/8/08.

ARRESTED: James, Benjamin, DOB: 10/24/82
                Walkely Hill Road, Haddam
CHARGE:  Murder


   No additional arrests are anticipated.

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Lt. J. Paul Vance