"As the Cheshire Police Chief, I would like to speak to the devastating incident, which occurred this past Monday July 23, 2007, at the Petit family home, on Sorghum Mill Road.  First and foremost our hearts and prayers go out to members of the Petit family.  They have suffered an unexplainable loss which reason and rationale will never be able to justify.

   Members of the Cheshire Police Department have been working tirelessly in conjunction with the Connecticut State Police since the incident, not only on the investigation but also to assist members of the Cheshire Community.  Cheshire Residents should rest assured that all the suspects in this case have been apprehended and are currently in the custody of the Connecticut Department of Corrections.

   Many news items have appeared in print and in the news media regarding this case.  Not all of the information has been correct and I ask everyone to take this into consideration when reading or viewing these items.  Please be assured that the Cheshire Police Department, the Ct State Police, the Ct State Fire Marshals office, and the Cheshire Fire Marshals office are working and will continue to work tirelessly until the completion of this case.

   With this case much of the information passed along by the Cheshire Police Department and the CT State Police must be tempered due to the severity and sensitive nature of this case.  Unfortunately, with the investigation still actively on going, we are unable to provide some of the information, which the community is seeking, so that we do not jeopardize the investigation.  Additional charges are expected to be filed against each suspect upon completion of the investigation.  I again will state that the two suspects in custody are the only suspects in the incident and that they are currently incarcerated with the Department of Corrections.  The Cheshire Police Department will, as always, act on any information received or developed which may put its residents in peril.

   As time goes on more information will become available to the public.  This information however cannot be disseminated if the passing along of this information would hinder the investigation or prosecution of this case.  The public should be assured that we would never withhold any information that would interfere with the safety of residents of Cheshire. 

   As members of this community we fully understand the public’s concern for their safety.  Cheshire is a caring community as has been shown throughout this terrible incident.  We still maintain that Cheshire is a safe town in which to live and the Cheshire Police Department is doing everything they possibly can to assure this.  We thank all the residents who have assisted in this investigation or have provided assistance and support to the members of the Cheshire Police and Fire Departments and the CT State Police. "