Greenwich Police Officer Honored For Actions During 2 Separate Calls

GREENWICH, CT — A Greenwich police officer is being honored for his role in responding to two separate calls that occurred downtown within about 13 hours of each other.

Det. Justin Rivera was named Officer of the Month for October, the Greenwich Police Department announced Thursday.

"While working a double shift, Det. Justin Rivera displayed steadfast vigor, diligence, and dedication to service and duty. This exemplifies the values and commitment to service that the Greenwich Police Department strives to provide to the town of Greenwich," police said in a news release.

On Oct. 28 at approximately 3:45 p.m., officers responded to Tiffany & Co., on Greenwich Avenue on a report of an armed robbery in which a suspect displayed what appeared to be a handgun and stole nearly $200,000 worth of jewelry, police said.

"The suspect was located behind the Greenwich Town Hall building. Det. Rivera called out to the suspect, 'Police, stop,' but he refused to comply and ran from the officers," police said. "Det. Rivera caught up to the suspect, brought him to the ground, and placed him under arrest."

The stolen jewelry was recovered, as well as the handgun, which turned out to be a realistic-looking facsimile BB gun, police said.

Edgardo Bautista-Gallardo, of San Francisco, Calif., was charged with first-degree robbery; first-degree larceny; four counts of threatening; interfering with an officer; and breach of peace, police said.

On Oct. 29 shortly after 5 a.m., officers responded to Greenwich Avenue on a report of a burglary in progress at Saks Fifth Avenue, police said.

Rivera and another officer responded to the area, and a black Dodge Charger was seen trying to flee, driving erratically and at a high rate of speed, including traveling on the wrong side of the road, police noted.

The Dodge Charger collided head-on with Rivera's police car. The suspect, later identified as Anthony M. Vasquez, 35, of Queens, N.Y., refused officer orders to get out of the car, but he eventually complied and was placed under arrest, police said.

Vasquez had a "Scream" movie mask, gloves and a screwdriver, according to police.

"The suspect had a lengthy criminal history and has since been linked to several burglaries in multiple jurisdictions, including CT, NY, NJ, and PA.," police said.