STATE POLICE MAKE ARREST IN CRANE SAFETY VIOLATIONS

 On 12/28/11, at 10:00 a.m., the Connecticut State Police Fire Explosive Investigation Unit was requested to assist the State of CT Crane Inspector at a crane inspection at the corner of Country Club Road and Middle Street in Middletown.  The construction site is a road construction project where a crane was being used to set concrete structures. 

   The State Crane Inspector Elliot Henowitz discovered that the crane was being operated with numerous safety and equipment violations and the crane was unregistered as well.

   State Police Detective Richard Cop responded to initiate a criminal investigation.  The criminal investigation also determined that the operator was unlicensed to operate a crane.

   The Trooper made an on-sight arrest of the crane operator.  He was issued a summons to appear in court.

ACCUSED:  AUCLAIR, MARK   DOB: 7/24/61
               141 Sugar Hill Rd
               Tolland, CT

CHARGES:   Reckless Endangerment 2^nd
                Operation of a crane without a license
                Operating an unregistered crane

       The accused Auclair was released on a $5,000 non-surety bond and will appear for court in Middletown on 1-10-2012.  There were no injuries as a result of the incident; however, workers were working within close proximity of the safety violations.

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LT. J. Paul Vance