2 Norwalk Police Officers Found At Hotel Arrested: PD

NORWALK, CT — Two Norwalk police officers were arrested Tuesday night after they were found together at a hotel when they were supposed to be working the night shift, according to authorities.

Officer Michael Dimeglio, an eight-year member of the department, and Officer Sara Laudano, a five-year member of the department, surrendered at Norwalk Police Headquarters Tuesday after warrants were issued for them.

Police said on Oct. 10, officers found the pair in a hotel room when they were supposed to be working. Dimeglio and Laudano were "not in a condition to respond to calls," police said. Further details were not released.

Dimeglio and Laudano were charged with second-degree larceny and second-degree reckless endangerment. Laudano also was charged with risk of injury to a minor. Both were released after each posted a $75,000 bond.

Police said the night they were discovered, dispatch called Laudano on the radio and her cell phone at about 12:47 a.m. but could not reach her. A vehicle locating system showed her cruiser was in the area of 426 Main Avenue, police said.

"An officer was dispatched there and located her vehicle in the parking lot of the Even Hotel," police said in a statement. "Supervisors responded to the location and observed her marked patrol vehicle parked in the lot along with the marked patrol vehicle of Officer Dimeglio. Supervisors made contact with hotel management and learned that the officers were in a room at the hotel.

"The Supervisors proceeded to the room and located both officers. The officers were not in a condition to respond to calls for service. Deputy Chief Walsh responded and Chief Kulhawik was contacted. The officers were relieved of duty and placed on Administrative Leave."

An investigation was launched and Chief Thomas Kulhawik contacted State’s Attorney Paul Ferencek and Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, a former Norwalk police chief.

"After consulting with State’s Attorney Ferencek, a determination was made that the conduct exhibited was beyond departmental policy violations and a criminal investigation into the incident was warranted," police said. "As a result of this comprehensive investigation by Norwalk Police Detective Division Supervisors, arrest warrants were obtained for both officers."

Kulhawik expressed disappointment at Dimeglio and Laudano and praised other members of the department for how they handled the matter.

"While I am appalled at the behavior and conduct that was exhibited by these officers while in an on-duty capacity, I am proud of the professional manner in which the patrol supervisors of this department initiated this complaint and the subsequent criminal investigation conducted by the Detective Division supervisors," he said. "We have a high expectation of our officers. We demand this, as does our community who place a great deal of trust in them. Intentional conduct which violates that trust and goes against the mission and values of this department will not be tolerated.

"Now that the Criminal Investigation has been completed, an Internal Investigation will follow and the Disciplinary Process will commence. I am extremely disappointed in the apparent dereliction of their duty to both the citizens of Norwalk as well as to their fellow officers. We will have no further comment until after the disciplinary process is complete."

Dimeglio and Laudano are scheduled to appear in court Feb. 16.