STATE POLICE APPREHEND ESCAPEE

   On 02-01-09, Connecticut State Police at Troop K Colchester were dispatched to a reported escape from the Next Step House located in Windham, Ct. Upon arrival, State Troopers learned that an inmate, Luz Rivera, had walked away from the halfway house in an unknown direction at about 6:00 p.m.

   State Police conducted an immediate search of the area utilizing State Police K-9 teams, Troopers and Willimantic P.D.  The search for inmate Rivera met with negative results. It was determined that Rivera had served seven days of her 120-day sentence and that she had no history of violent crimes. 

   On Monday, 02-02-2009, State Police Detectives continued this investigation. Detectives developed information that the accused had been seen walking on Main Street in Willimantic. State Police Detectives initiated a surveillance of the Main Street area.  The accused was observed at a local bus stop on Main Street in Willimantic, CT. State Police Detectives observed the accused. Detectives approached her and took her into custody without incident.

   The accused was transported to Troop K in Colchester where she was formally charged. She was processed and held on $100,000 bond.  The accused will be presented in Superior Court GA #11 Danielsonon Tuesday 2/3/09.

ARRESTED: RIVERA, Luz   DOB: 2/13/66 

                215 Valley Street Willimantic, Ct.

  CHARGE:    Escape 1^st

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Lt. J. Paul Vance