Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Ansonia Police arrest suspect in murder of Derby woman, 20

Andre LeFrancois


ANSONIA -  Police Wednesday charged Andre LeFrancois, 22, of Ansonia with the murder of Rosali Violet Acquefreda, 20, on Aug. 30. He was arrested by warrant and taken into custody without incident. 

LeFrancois is charged with Murder and Risk of Injury to a Minor; he is being held on a $750,000

bond and will be arraigned Thursday in Milford Superior Court. 

The arrest warrant has been sealed by the court and will not be available for release.

At this time on behalf of Chief Andrew Cota, the Ansonia Police Department would like to thank Chief Gerald Narowski, Lieutenant Stanko, Detective Sergeant Netto and Detective Sullivan of the Derby Police Department, Col. Mellekas, Sgt. Ralph Soda and the Central District Major Crimes Unit of the Connecticut State Police, Dr. Vallaro and the forensic scientists at the State of Connecticut Forensic Laboratory for their invaluable assistance in the investigation of this homicide. 

We also would like to thank State’s Attorney Kelly, Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Stein, Inspector Brooks and all the members of the Ansonia/Milford Judicial District for their assistance and support.

I would like to recognize Lt. Wayne Williams, Det. Sgt. James Frolish, Detective Adcox, Detective Hunt, Detective Harte, Detective Esposito, Detective Troesser and all the men and women of the Ansonia Police Department for their hard work and commitment to this investigation and the work they do every day.


The Ansonia Police Department strongly urges anyone who may be in a relationship where domestic violence is occurring to contact their local authorities. 

Help is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. In the Valley, The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services can be reached by phone at 203-736-9944, 203-789-8104 or 1-888-774-2900 or at https://bhcare.org/page/22595-The-Umbrella-Center-for-Domestic-Violence-Services- . Statewide domestic violence assistance can be found at www.CTSafeConnect.org or call/text (888)774-2900.



This is a press release from Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch.


Ansonia Police to hold press conference today on arrest in homicide


Shared from Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch:

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Police Department will hold a press conference at 6:30 p.m. today to release information regarding an arrest in the Acquefreda homicide investigation. 

The press conference will take place at Veteran’s Memorial Park next to Ansonia City Hall, 253 Main St. 


Seymour Lions Club slates car show Thursday at Tri-Town Plaza


This is shared from a Seymour Lions Club's Facebook post:

SEYMOUR - The Seymour Lions Club and Smith's Ansonia Shell will host a Summer Cruise Night from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday at Tri-Town Plaza, 814 Derby Ave.

"This show will be lots for fun for the whole family; we take pride in the part we play bringing car enthusiasts together to celebrate a time when the automobile was more than just an appliance. 
"We invite all hot rods, street rods, rat rods, classic, custom, trucks, motorcycles, and antiques to join us.
"As local car aficionados showcase their vintage, classic, and custom cars, trucks, and motorcycles and all the work they have done on them, there are opportunities to network and uncover new ideas for local car enthusiasts.
"Trophies will be awarded for the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place car/truck winners also a motorcycle trophy will be award. Our sponsors pick the winners! Music, raffles, socializing makes for a fun night!
"For more information visit our web site www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/seymourct/ or our Facebook page, “The Seymour Lions Club”, follow us on Twitter @seymourlions, email us seymourlions52@att.net or call Lion Corky @ 203-619-1571 or Lion Melissa @ 203-430-9356."


*Car shows will also be held on Thursdays, Sept. 10, 17, and 24. 
 

'Turnback Tuesday' (on Wednesday) highlights hardware manufacturer

Turnback Tuesday has a card sent to Wilcox & Howe Co. from the Birmingham National Bank. Wilcox & Howe, started in 1870 by D. Wilcox, manufactured all descriptions of carriage hardware and specialty forgings for light buggies.

As demand grew, they added bicycle forgings to their product lines. Wilcox & Howe had several buildings on the canal in Shelton.

By 1896, they were selling all over the US and exporting to South America, Africa, and Australia.


Thanks to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week!