LEDYARD, Conn. (WTNH) — The FBI assisted police in an investigation at a home Thursday on Whalehead Road in the Gales Ferry section of Ledyard.

Authorities were trying to serve an outstanding arrest warrant and a search warrant to a wanted man who lived there. Several homes have been temporarily evacuated, and the road was closed for several hours as a precaution.

“We brought in the best of the best to safely mitigate the situation for our team, our officers and the community,” Ledyard Police Chief John Rich said.

Rich said authorities learned 47-year-old Daniel DiCicco was wanted on three outstanding warrants, including for failure to appear on weapons-related charges. DiCicco sold the house within the last few months, but he was still staying on the property, police said.

“In the ensuing weeks, our detectives developed information that led our department to request technical and investigative assistance from the FBI and the Connecticut State Police,” Rich said. “This week, a federal weapons-related search warrant was issued for the property.”

  • The FBI is assisting police in an active investigation at a home on Whalehead Road in the Gales Ferry section of Ledyard.
    The FBI is assisting police in an active investigation at a home on Whalehead Road in the Gales Ferry section of Ledyard.
  • The FBI is assisting police in an active investigation at a home on Whalehead Road in the Gales Ferry section of Ledyard.
    The FBI is assisting police in an active investigation at a home on Whalehead Road in the Gales Ferry section of Ledyard.

On Thursday, agents and officers began the process of executing the search warrant at the home on Whalehead Road. When they arrived, investigators said they saw a man they identified as DiCicco dead on the ground toward the back of the property. State police are investigating his death.

“It’s a tragedy all around, and our thoughts go out to his friends and family,” Rich said.

Ledyard police and the FBI said they found items of significant concern on the property, including possible explosive devices, but declined to elaborate due to the ongoing investigation.

“We offered that investigative assistance through our SWAT team, crisis negotiations, and special agent bomb technicians,” said Robert Fuller, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Haven division.

Authorities said all of their efforts are out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of residents and officers. Police said they’ve made arrangements for residents who were evacuated.

News 8 has a crew on the way to the scene. Check back for updates.