YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: It didn’t take New Milford police detectives long to track down and charge a 21-year-old Ridgefield High School special needs student who they said stolen several packs of cigarettes — yet left most of them behind — during a pair of overnight burglaries at a local Krauszers.
Ryan Wiechnicki was charged with burglary, theft and criminal mischief following the River Road break-in through a front door window just before 2 a.m. yesterday, Detective Kevin Van Saders said.
Detectives who reviewed the store’s video surveillance also tied Wiechnicki to a previous attempted burglary at the same Krausers less than 24 hours earlier, Van Saders said.
They released him on a court summons.
Wiechnicki was free on bail after authorities in April charged him with molesting a 15-year-old classmate backstage at the RHS auditorium (SEE: Ridgefield High School special needs student, 21, charged with molesting classmate).
Wiechnicki was participating in the district’s STRIVE program where dozens of developmentally disabled students aged 18-21 who have completed their high school academic requirements learn and practice skills that will prepare them for life.
Employment training and life, social and personal skills are developed in STRIVE (Strides Toward Reaching Independence Via Education), which was established nearly a decade ago.
The program has been fueld by Gov. Christie’s “Employment First” policy, which requires state government to remove barriers to state jobs for applicants with physical, mental and developmental disabilities.
MUGSHOT: Courtesy NEW MILFORD PD
