Community Corner
Homicide Suspect Caught: Westporters Totally Relieved, Proud of Police
After local, state, federal, and international authorities worked in unison to capture Robert Levene, the alleged murderer of Westport jeweler Yekutiel Zeevi, many Fairfield County residents were pleased.
- While drinking a cup of coffee along the Saugatuck River, Westport native James Connaughton said, “I’m definitely relieved. and catch these creeps.” Westport resident Luke Barta added, “I like to see our tax dollars at work. Justice has been served.”
- “ I said ‘they’re going to catch him,’” Easton resident John Hellgren said while sitting outside of Starbucks Café.
- “I didn’t think he would ever totally vanish. ,” Fairfield resident Angela Graham said while walking her dog along the Saugatuck River. “I just can’t imagine what he felt like on the plane. He must have been a psychopath.” Graham thought the whole situation was scary and is glad the suspect was caught. “I was watching my back, put it that way – no doors unlocked.”
- “My reaction is total relief,” owner Linda Ghiorzi said with a smile behind the counter of her jewelry store. Ghiorzi wasn’t surprised the suspect traveled to Amsterdam before going to Spain. “That’d be a good place to go to get the stones cut. It’s one of the biggest diamond cutting centers in the world,” Ghiorzi said, noting the feeling of closure she felt after hearing the suspect was apprehended. “It’s one more maniac off the street,” she added. Ghiorzi believes the does a fantastic job protecting the community. “They are definitely vigilant, especially around the holidays.” One thing Ghiorzi is confused about, and what she fears most, is why the victim was shot and killed after the suspect already had the diamonds. “You had all that merchandise and you still had to kill him?”
- Westport native Stephen Budner and business partner, Sonia Gonzalez, who lives in Madrid, Spain, were both shocked the suspect was found in Spain. “I’m amazed they got him in my country,” Gonzalez said. “I think it is strange he went to Spain.” Budner was impressed investigators were able to track the suspect down so quickly. “That’s pretty good police work to find the guy,” he said.
- Lucas Smith, a Westport resident, thought the homicide dropped out of the spotlight for a while, but he is glad the suspect was caught. "It makes me have more faith in the police,” Smith said while walking nearby Gorham Island. “You could say I’m proud.”
- Staples High School student Joosje Grevers was impressed by the police work and how they kept everyone informed of the situation. "I always feel protected by the police," Grevers said... "I can’t believe he (the suspect) got out of the country, though. That’s scary. I’m glad he’s caught.”
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