Two cops arrested after being caught in a hotel room while on duty

Two Connecticut police officers are facing criminal charges after they were found purportedly drunk together in a hotel room while they were supposed to be on patrol.

Norwalk officers Michael Dimeglio and Sara Laudano turned themselves in at police headquarters on Tuesday and were arrested on charges stemming from the October 10 encounter, the department announced on Facebook.

The two officers were found at the Even Hotel after Laudano, 31, did not respond to calls over the police radio or her cellphone, police officials said. 

It is unclear what exactly Laudano and Dimeglio, 38, were doing in the room, but police said the pair were ‘not in a condition to respond to calls for service.’

Warrants allege that both Laudano and Dimeglio had consumed alcohol before the start of their respective work shifts, and also during their shifts. 

Laudano also has been accused of smoking THC from a vape pen before dropping off her child in her patrol car at another woman’s apartment.  

The officers were arrested after a three-month investigation determined that criminal charges were warranted, the officials said.

‘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,’ Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik said in the department’s statement.

Laudano, a five-year veteran, was charged with second-degree larceny, second-degree reckless endangerment and risk of injury to a child. 

Dimeglio, who has served on the force for eight years, was charged with second-degree larceny and second-degree reckless endangerment. Police officials did not explain the charges. 

Dimeglio, who is a retired US Marine, has been among Norwalk’s highest-paid police officers, earning more than $222,000 a year. 

The case began unfolding shortly before 1am on October 10, when Norwalk police dispatch could not reach Laudano, who was supposed to be on patrol, neither on the radio nor on her cellphone. 

The Automatic Vehicle Locating system was checked and Laudano’s her vehicle was located on the map in the area of 426 Main Avenue. 

An officer was sent to the scene and found Laudano’s marked patrol car parked in the parking lot of the Even Hotel along with Dimeglio’s car. 

Police supervisors were called to the hotel and learned from a manager that the officers were in a room together. They proceeded to the room and found both officers. 

‘The officers were not in a condition to respond to calls for service,’ the press release stated. 

Laudano and Dimeglio were immediately relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave.    

An initial investigation into the incident was said to have uncovered information concerning the officers’ conduct in the hours leading up to their discovery that prompted the Norwalk police chief to contact the state’s attorney. 

‘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 stated. ‘As a result of this comprehensive investigation by Norwalk Police Detective Division Supervisors, arrest warrants were obtained for both officers.’

Chief Kulhawik said an internal investigation will be conducted, followed by a disciplinary process.  

‘I am extremely disappointed in the apparent dereliction of their duty to both the citizens of Norwalk as well as to their fellow officers,’ he added. 

Laudano and Dimeglio were each being held on $75,000 bond. They are due back in court on February 16.