EnCon Police Make Two BUI Arrests on Candlewood

Officers from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Division of State Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon Police) made arrests on Candlewood Lake this weekend for Boating Under the Influence as part of an expanded enforcement initiative known as Operation Dry Water.  

DEEP EnCon Police arrested David P. Mullane, 50, of West Mountain Road, West Simsbury, and John S. Klingner, Jr., 25, of Dunwoodie Road, Carmel, NY, both for illegal operation of a vessel while under the influence of alcohol (BUI).
 
The charges stem from separate stops made during Operation Dry Water in a joint initiative with Candlewood Lake Authority after the Candlewood Lake Fireworks display. Operation Dry Water is a national weekend of BUI detection and enforcement aimed at reducing the number of alcohol and drug-related accidents and fatalities and fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use on the water.
 
Klinger was observed operating his vessel in Echo Bay and Mullane was observed operating too close to shore at a speed faster than the posted “slow – no wake zone,” in the area of Candlewood Isle, New Fairfield.

Both were stopped for officers to perform Boating Safety Checks as part of Operation Dry Water. During the safety checks, and subsequent investigation, both Mullane and Klinger allegedly appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. EnCon Police Officers took Mullane and Klinger into custody and transported them with the assistance of Brookfield Police to the Brookfield Police Department, where they were processed and released on $500 non-surety bonds.

Both are scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on July 12.

Statewide, DEEP EnCon Police made a total of four BUI arrest during Operation Dry Water. One on the Connecticut River in Haddam, one on the Connecticut River in Old Saybrook, and the two on Candlewood Lake. During the operation there were 13 infractions and 18 warnings issued for boating violations.