Sexual Assault

Police report that on the night of January 3, after learning that they held a warrant for his arrest, Stephen J. Furphy, 26, of 3 Black Walnut Drive went to the police station and turned himself over to police.

The warrant stems from an October 3, 2015, incident at Pub 25 American Grille at Plaza South at 266 South Main Street in Botsford. Furphy allegedly grabbed and restrained a woman patron at that bar, police said.

The Pub 25 bar/restaurant has gone out of business, with its former location now occupied by another business.

Police said they charged Furphy with fourth-degree sexual assault, second-degree unlawful restraint, and second-degree breach of peace in connection with the incident.

Police said they held Furphy on $25,000 bail for a January 4 arraignment at Danbury Superior Court.

Furphy did not plead to the charges at his arraignment. He was being held on $25,000 bail at the Bridgeport Correctional Center on January 5 for a January 15 court appearance.

Key Found

Police report that on December 31, a Toyota-brand car key, which is attached to a fob and a lanyard, was found on Clapboard Ridge Road in Sandy Hook. The residential Clapboard Ridge Road extends from Charter Ridge Road. Police are holding the found key for safekeeping and ask its owner to contact them at the police station at 3 Main Street to claim it.

Larceny Case

Newtown police said that on January 2, Torrington police took into custody for Newtown police a Torrington woman who is named in an arrest warrant received by Newtown police.

Newtown police said Suzanne Bristol, 49, was charged with sixth-degree larceny for allegedly receiving money for the sale of a dog that Bristol did not provide to the buyer.

Bristol was released on $500 bail for a January 15 appearance in Danbury Superior Court.

Church Hill Road

At about 12:53 pm on January 1, motorist David Anderson, 17, of 18 Bridle Path Trail, who was driving a 2011 Jeep Wrangler SUV, was exiting the parking lot at the Blue Colony Diner and then attempting to make a left turn onto westbound Church Hill Road, as motorist Jacqueline Villane, 55, of Naugatuck was driving a 2000 Ford Taurus sedan eastward on Church Hill Road, according to police.

The two vehicles collided. There were no injuries. Police said they issued Anderson an infraction for failure to grant the right of way.

Assault Charge

Police report that Steven Sabato, 26, of 18 Washington Avenue was at an outdoor gathering near Poplar Drive at about 1 am on January 1, when a verbal altercation escalated into a physical altercation and Sabato allegedly punched another male. The male who was punched refused medical attention, police said.

Police said that after investigating the incident, they charged Sabato with third-degree assault. After processing, police released Sabato on $1,000 bail for an upcoming appearance on the assault charge in Danbury Superior Court.

Hawleyville DUI

Police report that at about 1 am on January 1, they spotted motorist Gerald Fleury, 63, of Clinton cross over the centerline of the roadway while driving at the intersection of Hawleyville Road and Mt Pleasant Road, so they stopped the Nissan X-Terra SUV that Fleury was driving to investigate.

Police said they charged Fleury with driving under the influence. Following processing, Fleury posted $500 bail and was released for a January 14 court appearance.

I-84 DUI

State police report that at about 10:40 pm on December 28, they were on patrol on eastbound Interstate 84, east of Exit 10 , when they spotted a vehicle traveling without its headlamps illuminated, so they stopped it to investigate.

State police said that on stopping the Jeep Liberty SUV, they smelled marijuana smoke emanating from the vehicle driven by Jose Mercado, 29, of Hartford.

State police said that after performing sobriety tests, they charged Mercado with driving under the influence, failure to display headlamps, and driving with a suspended license.

Mercado was released on $750 non-surety bail for a January 19 appearance in Danbury Superior Court.

Highway Rear-Ender

State police said that at about 5 am on December 30, motorist Cynthia Laurie, 23, of Waterbury, who was driving a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse SUV eastward on Interstate 84, between Exits 9 and 10, struck the rear end of a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV driven by Michael McKinney, 61, of Danbury.

State police said Laurie told them she was drowsy and fell asleep at the wheel before the crash. There were no injuries. State police said that Laurie was following too closely.