Michael P. Mayko, Staff Writer
Published: 10:49 p.m., Tuesday, September 7, 2010
SHELTON -- Police arrested a veteran Bridgeport firefighter after he allegedly was videotaped pouring a toxic acid onto his neighbor's water supply fittings in the Woodland Mobile Home Park as a result of an apparent ongoing dispute.
Edward Voccola, 52, of 98 Woodland Park, was charged with criminal attempt at second-degree assault of a person over the age of 60 and first-degree reckless endangerment. He was released after posting $25,000 bond pending a Sept. 13 appearance in Derby Superior Court.
News of the arrest led to Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch ordering Voccla placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this case. During this time period, Voccola will be paid.
Det. Ben Trabka said police were called to the trailer park Sunday on a complaint from Voccola's neighbor that he had videotaped the firefighter pouring a liquid onto the above-ground water supply fittings. The neighbor feared his water supply had been tainted and he could become ill.
After viewing the videotape, police obtained a court-ordered search-and-seizure warrant for Voccola's trailer and shed. They found and seized several bottles of muriatic acid in the shed.
Trabka said the investigation determined that Voccola had poured muriatic acid onto the rubber and vinyl gaskets of the above-ground water supply pipes leading to the neighbor's trailer. Muriatic acid is a corrosive liquid used for cleaning and etching stone, brick, concrete and slate. A warning label on the product declares it can be fatal if swallowed or drunk.
Police believe the acid could have eaten through the fittings and contaminated the water supply.
As a result, the husband and wife who live in the trailer are having their water tested. For now, they are drinking bottled water, Trabka said.
Trabka said the victim filed complaints with police last fall claiming used motor oil was dumped on his property by Voccola.
Since then, the alleged victim complained to police that rocks were thrown at his skylight and someone crushed his water valves by stepping on them. However, no one was charged in those incidents.
He then installed a security system on his property.
Voccola could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Bridgeport city records disclose that Voccola was sworn in as a firefighter in May 1988. Over the years, he has been assigned to ladder companies 10, 3 and 11. He has spent the past four years working on Engine Company 15 based on Evers Street.
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