Residents Help Cops Nab Man Trying to Get Inside Bridgeport School

Bridgeport police have arrested a local man accused of trying to get into a charter school just after 7 a.m. on Friday and are crediting two local men with fending the suspect.

Police said they responded to Achievement First Charter School on Stillman Street after receiving the report that a person who appeared to be under the influence of drugs was trying to get into the building.

Board of education security officer Paul Hernandez, 50, was dropping off his granddaughter at school when he saw a man who was acting erratically approach the school doors, according to police.

Hernandez called police while his nephew, 25-year-old Robert Hernandez, got out and confronted the man, who was later identified as Bridgeport resident Alex Wichelm, police said.

The two struggled and school bus drivers made sure all children were safe, according to police.

"I did what any parent – any father or any mother – would do," Robert Hernandez told Bridgeport police. "Instinct set in. If I wasn't there, I know someone else would have stepped in and stepped up."

Paul and Robert Hernandez followed Wichelm away from the school and shared his location with police. Officers arrested Wichelm, restrained him and took him to Bridgeport Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, police said.

Bridgeport police Chief Joseph Gaudett invited Paul and Robert Hernandez to the police department Friday to thank them for their quick thinking.

“We are thankful that all our students at Achievement First Bridgeport Academy Elementary School are safe and sound, and proud of our school community – parents, staff and security team – for being alert, taking action and coming together to keep our children safe. We also appreciate the quick and professional response of the Bridgeport Police Department,” said Achievement First spokesperson Lenny Speiller.

Contact Us