Cedar Lake Police Department

Police Report for Incident 19CL0940

Nature: FIRE Investigat

Address: 8100 W 128TH AV
CEDAR LAKE, IN 46303

Responsible Officer: BRITTINGHAM C Responding Officers: Cedar Lake FD

When Reported: 3/2/2019 5:18:40AM MCDOWELL M
How Received: Telephone MILLER RY
Occured Between: 3/2/2019 5:18:23AM and 3/2/2019 5:18:23AM KILGORE T
Disposition: Inactive CLVIPS
Clearance: Under Investigation FISHER W
Approval: 030219 Cl17 Yauger J
GODOY ER
CORBIN D
Complainant: CEDAR LAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT BRITTINGHAM C
Race: Sex: Phone: (219)374-5416 City: CEDAR LAKE MACHALK D
FORSELL R
Vandriver S
Narrative SULSKI AL
Cataldo C
On March 2nd, 2019 at approximately 06:00 hrs. I Deputy Chief Carl Brittingham Mager N
was called out to investigate a house fire. On arrival, I was provided 1201
information that a house fire was called in at approximately 05:18 hrs. by WILKENING T
several neighbors. The house fire was at 8100 W 128 th Ave. which is known to be
the residence of Noreen Connolly who is separated from her husband Andrew
Wellwerts. Officers were also conducting welfare checks for Noreen 's daughter
Patricia Brooks and her child, it was later determined Noreen Connolly was the
only one home at the time and everyone else was accounted for. Noreen Connolly
was not talking to anyone and would not answer any questions, even basic
questions concerning possible occupants of the home.

Andrew Wellwerts was on the scene and wanted me to know that some time back
his wife Noreen Connolly had made comments about burning down the house. Andrew
sent an e-mail to Fire Chief Todd Wilkening, which was forwarded to me (attached
to case). This e-mail was from Andrew Wellwerts attorney Mindy Heidel addressed
to Noreen Connolly. In this e-mail, dated February 28th, 2019, it was discussed
that there have been monthly NIPSCO bills over $1000.00 for the last couple of
months at the house, mostly due to electric usage. This pointed out that the
house is heated by gas, so the furnace shouldn't be the cause of the high
electric bill. This e-mail also talks about the possibility of recent domestic
violence incidents between Noreen and her daughter. The e-mail also talks about
Noreen making threats that she was going to burn down her home. The e-mail
discusses these things regarding legal action that will be taken to protect
their two twins (daughters) and custody. Andrew Wellwerts claims to have proof
of Noreen stating something about burning down the house.

On scene, I spoke with Witness Brett Arwoud who resides behind this house at
8039 W 127th Ln and could hear screaming and things breaking. When Brett went
outside he saw Noreen Connolly running around wrapped in a blanket. Brett saw
fire and smoke coming from the North West side of the home . Brett could not get
Noreen to tell him anything so he went to the front door, which was locked.
Brett then broke out a window to yell inside to see if anyone else was inside,
he did not enter the house. I spoke with Witness Jennifer White who also lives
behind this house at 8027 W. 127 Ln and could hear screaming and then saw Noreen

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at John Hunley's house across the street. Jennifer also saw the fire and smoke
at the North West side of the house and then called 911 to report the fire. I
spoke with Patrick Neal of 8031 W 127th Ln who could also hear screaming and
then came outside and saw the fire and smoke on the North West side of the
house. Patrick then became ill with chest pains and went to the hospital.

I spoke with Michelle Ray at 8041 W 128th Ave which is across the street from
this house fire. Michelle came into contact with Noreen Connolly after she had
already gone to John Hunley's house. Michelle Ray gave Noreen some pajama
pants, a t-shirt and a jacket to wear, she was already wrapped in two blankets
she got from John Hunley's house. Michelle also let Noreen stay in her house to
keep warm. Noreen did not speak to Michelle and did not tell them anything about
the fire. Michelle later took Noreen to the hospital since Noreen refused to be
helped by the fire department. Michelle had no information to provide about the
fire and nothing was told or said to her by Noreen Connolly. (Note: The
t-shirt and jacket were later released back to her through Patrick Kasmir who
resides in her home). While Noreen Connolly was inside Michelle's home, prior
to being taken to the hospital, myself and Commander W. Fisher attempted to
speak with Noreen, she refused to say anything and also refused to have our FD
medics check her or take her to the hospital.

I then wrote and obtained a search warrant for the property 8100 W. 128 th Ave,
although Asst. Fire Chief / Investigator Nick Mager had gone to the hospital and
obtained signed consent for fire examination from Noreen Connolly. Noreen again
refused to discuss anything with Chief Nick Mager and referred then to having a
lawyer present. While Chief Mager was at the hospital he obtained two blankets,
a t-shirt and jacket Noreen was wearing for evidence under exigent
circumstances, these items of clothing were also written into my warrant for
testing of accelerants. At the station after these items were transferred to me
it was determined all these items did not belong to Noreen Connolly and that she
ran out of the house naked. The two blankets were given to her by the neighbor
across the street, Witness John Hunley, and the t-shirt, jacket, and some pajama
pants were given to her by Witness Michelle Ray. As such these items were
returned and are of no evidentiary value since Noreen wasn't wearing them when

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she ran from the house, or while she was inside the house. (Note: Prior to
returning these items they were checked with a meter to see if any accelerants
were immediately detected, this came back negative. These items also, after
being sealed in separate bags, did not smell of any fuel or accelerant.

At the scene, Chief Mager had called for an accelerant sniffing dog from
Porter County. On scene, the dog worked the outer parts of the house and had
alerted on parts of the house towards the north end and a piece of wooden
flooring that was on the outer part of the house. This piece of wooden flooring
was collected and cut in 4 pieces, placed into an evidence can and turned over
to me by Chief Mager. This can (evidence) was later turned over to the ATF Lab
for testing of accelerants. The dog also was alerting towards the North East /
Center of the home, however this area was not safe to walk and the dog had to be
pulled back.

Since the fire on Saturday Chief Mager was contacted by Robin Remley who left
a voicemail for Chief Mager (attached to case file) introducing herself as a
good friend to Noreen Connolly and basically asking that any contact with Noreen
Connolly be fielded through her. Two calls were made to Robin Remley, who is
also an attorney, asking to meet with Noreen Connolly and her. In the second
call, Robin Remley went on about the abuse Noreen has been through and then a
story about the abuse she (Robin) has been through in their lives. Robin
claimed however she does not represent Noreen and is only a friend, however, she
would reach out to Noreen. Noreen, nor any legal representation on her part has
contacted Chief Mager or me to cooperate or give any type of statement as to
what has happened in this fire investigation. I was later informed by Andrew
Wellwerts attorney that Noreen Connolly is now represented by attorney Scott
King, however, I have not been contacted by anyone. I was later e mailed by the
insurance company (American Family) which now indicates Noreen Connolly is
represented by Attorney Anthony Ashford of Valparaiso , IN. Again I have not
been contacted by this law firm.

I have since been in contact with Mindy Heidel to schedule an interview with
Andrew Wellwerts since he claimed to have information to provide . I was then

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told by Attorney Heidel that Andrew Wellwerts is represented by criminal
attorney Paul Stracci.

The house was secured on Monday, March 4th, by the insurance company American
Family and their investigator Tom Rotering.

While on scene Monday, March 4th, 2019 I spoke with John Hunley Jr. who
resides across the street at 8049 W 128th Ave. John said on the day of the fire
he could hear screaming, so he went outside and while walking across the street
he saw fire inside the house behind the window on the east corner in what he
described as the weight room. John then said Noreen Connolly jumped out of the
dark and came at him screaming and was completely naked. John was stunned at
first since he didn't realize who it was or what was going on. Noreen then went
back onto the front porch and opened the front door which caused a "whoosh" as
John described it. Then the fire spread very quickly throughout the inside of
the house towards the front but describing the fire as being inside the house
with little or no smoke. John described a quick moving fire on the inside of
the home. John said Noreen would not talk and was only yelling about her pets
inside. Noreen was then given two blankets from their home, as she was totally
naked.

On 03/07/2019 I received a phone call from Breanna Chmielewski who claimed to

be a past friend of Patricia Brooks (Noreen Connolly's daughter). Patricia
called and asked Breanna to pick her up because someone was after her and had
blown up her house. Breanna said this contact was through Facebook Messenger's
phone app as a voice call. No other details were discussed with her by
Patricia. Breanna did not pick her up. As of this date Patricia knows of the
house fire and was at the hospital with Noreen on this day, however, she herself
has not made contact with the police to provide any statements or information,
it is currently not known where she is at.

On 03/13/2019 I D. Chief Carl Brittingham called John Hunley Sr. who resides
across the street from Noreen Connolly at 8049 W 128 th Ave. I was attempting to
return the blankets that were said to belong to him and given to Noreen the
morning of the fire. John Hunley Sr. stated the white blanket belongs to Noreen
and the brown Indian blanket does belong to him. John said when Noreen came out
the door the only thing she had on was this white blanket. John Sr. said when
he saw the fire it was through the window and behind the blinds in the weight
room, saying he saw what was like an orange light on behind the window. John
Sr. then said there was smoke at the top of the window that was black, so then
he knew the house was on fire. John Sr. has been in the house because he has
been inside it. John Sr. said when Noreen came over he could not make heads or
tails of what she was saying and that she was hysterical. Noreen did go back to
the house to the front door and was trying to save her dog and cats. John Sr.
said he came back inside his house to get dressed and when he came back outside
his son John Jr. had Noreen back at their house, the fire was coming out of the
front door and up under the porch roof, by the time the first officer arrived
the fire was breaking out and coming out the windows. Noreen did not say
anything about the fire, or what happened, John Sr. asked her what happened
however she would not tell him and was hysterical, however, she was worried
about the dog and cats. The white blanket will remain in evidence.- CEB
Vehicle Involvements:

VEHICLE Year: 2015 Make: CADI Model: ESC VIN: 1GYS4CKJ1FR304022

Color: BLK/
Plate: 929LKJ / IN Exp: 7/12/2019
Owner: WELLWERTS, ANDREW R 8229 LAKE SHORE DR CEDAR LAKE, IN 46303-9598

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 Property Involvements:

PROPERTY Evidence Wood BLK/BRO Building Materials $0.00

Owner: CONNOLLY, NOREEN CAROLYN 8100 W 128TH AV CEDAR LAKE, IN 46303

PROPERTY Miscellaneous Blanket WHI/ Miscellaneous $0.00

Owner: CONNOLLY, NOREEN CAROLYN 8100 W 128TH AV CEDAR LAKE, IN 46303

PROPERTY Documents ID's WHI/ Miscellaneous $0.00

Owner: CONNOLLY, NOREEN CAROLYN 8100 W 128TH AV CEDAR LAKE, IN 46303

PROPERTY US Currency USC 20.00 GRN/ Money $0.00

Owner: CONNOLLY, NOREEN CAROLYN 8100 W 128TH AV CEDAR LAKE, IN 46303

Name Involvements:
WITNESS Name: NEAL, PATRICK FITZGERALD
Address: CEDAR LAKE, IN 46303
54 M/W BRO/BRO

COMPLAINANT Name: CEDAR LAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT,

Address: CEDAR LAKE, IN 46303
/ /

WITNESS Name: HUNLEY, JOHN ALAN JR

Address: HEBRON, IN
33 M/W BRO/BLU

WITNESS Name: RAY, MICHELLE

Address: CEDAR LAKE, IN 46303
52 F/W RED/BLU

INVOLVED - HOMEOWNER Name: WELLWERTS, ANDREW R SR

Address: CEDAR LAKE, IN 46303-9598
49 M/W BRO/BLU

WITNESS Name: WHITE, JENNIFER LYNN

Address: CEDAR LAKE, IN 46303
41 F/W RED/HAZ

NOREEN'S DAUGHTER Name: BROOKS, PATRICIA AMANDA

Address: CEDAR LAKE, IN 46303
29 F/W RED/GRN

WITNESS Name: ARWOOD, BRETT STEVEN

Address: CEDAR LAKE, IN 46303
36 M/W BRO/GRN

INVOLVED - HOMEOWNER Name: CONNOLLY, NOREEN CAROLYN

Address: CEDAR LAKE, IN 46303
47 F/W BLN/HAZ

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