On 07/13/2018 at approximately 10:00pm, officers were dispatched to a Westport residence on a report of chemicals that had been sprayed on the victim’s backyard garden area from over her property’s fence line. The victim arrived home and smelled the strong odor of a chemical on her property. An oily film was observed on her garden plants and her vegetable garden plants. In addition, two portions of her wooden fence were damaged. The Westport Fire Department was called to the scene to investigate the odor and oil-based liquid. The Westport Fire Department was able to determine the substance to be “toxic”; in nature, which could pose a health threat to persons and animals. The incident resulted in over $12,000 in damages.

Video surveillance from the area showed the suspect walking from the property of 5 Sterling Drive and entering the area before a “nozzle” from what appeared to be a backpack sprayer or similar item, was placed on top of the fence and used to spray some type of liquid onto the property for several minutes. Additional footage showed the suspect break a portion of the fence before the “nozzle” was pushed through the broken fence portion and sprayed directly onto the plants located in that specific area. The man then returned to the property of 5 Sterling Drive, residence of John Borg III.

Investigators were able to identify the suspect as Borg and submitted an arrest warrant application to court, which was later approved. On 09/12/2018, Borg was arrested at his residence. He was brought to police headquarters where he was charged with 53a-115 Criminal Mischief 1 st , 53a-64 Reckless Endangerment 2 nd and 53a-109 Criminal Trespass 3 rd . Borg was released after posting $10,000 court set bond and is scheduled to appear in Norwalk Court on 09/19/2018.

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