The details are still a little thin. No one at HPD is commenting officially, but it seems as though another HPD veteran officer is quickly heading toward the ranks of the unemployed after his arrest last night. It seems as though Hartford Fire isn't the only agency dealing with battles with the bottle.
HPD Veteran Officer Israel Zea was arrested early this morning by his own Department. Zea, according to sources, was arrested on a multitude of charges, including home invasion and domestic violence related charges.
The charges resulted after Zea arrived on the porch of his girlfriends home in the Frog Hollow section of the City. After being denied entry, Zea broke down the front door and entered the home and allegedly assaulted the female. HPD was notified and Zea was arrested.
Specifics and further information was not available from Deputy Chief Brian Foley. Zea's current status as a Hartford Police Officer could not be established at this time either
HPD is in a very critical position now for staffing due to retirements, discipline problems are also currently taking their toll ,
UPDATE:
After I posted the issue above, HPD quickly responded and released the details of the incident, which as you can see are identical to what I posted, it will be interesting to askhow much overtime Zea and others like Stachowitz have been working in overtime and has that resulted in increased stress and alcohol abuse in the Department.
On June 29, 2015 at 12:29am, Hartford Police Department
patrol officers were dispatched to Lincoln Street for an domestic violence
incident involving an off-duty police officer. The victim reported that Israel
Zea forced entry into the her apartment and assaulted her. On arrival, HPD
Officers located Zea in the second floor apartment being detained by two
witnesses. The female victim sustained facial trauma and was treated at Hartford
Hospital. Zea sustained facial injuries while being subdued by the two witnesses
but refused medical treatment. Internal Affairs Investigators arrived on scene
and took over the investigation. Probable cause was established and Zea was
arrested, charged and taken to the HPD booking facility.
Arrested: Israel Zea, 6/9/66, 253 High St Harford, CT
Charges:
1. Burglary
2nd
2. Assault
3rd
3. Criminal Mischief
2nd
4. Criminal Trespass
1st
Domestic Violence $50,000
Bond
Victim: Female, 47 of Hartford
A
separate administrative investigation has been initiated. Israel Zea has been an
officer for approx. 17 years, he has been placed on unpaid suspension.