Stone Wall Damaged

Some time between March 4 and March 8, an unknown vehicle drove off the southbound travel lane of Huntingtown Road and collided with a stone wall in the area of 20 Huntingtown Road. The driver and vehicle left the scene without reporting the incident.

Anyone with information about the crash is requested to contact Newtown Police Department, 203-426-5841, and reference Case #3561.

Failure To Drive Right

Ikram Maindu, 27, of Meriden, was operating a light duty 2015 Hino 195 truck eastbound on Swamp Road around 2:08 pm, Tuesday, March 16.

Maindu told Newtown police that as a vehicle approached him from the opposite direction, he pulled toward the right of the roadway to assure enough room for both vehicles.

In doing so, Maindu struck a Frontier utility pole. The collision caused damage to the truck’s right rearview mirror, and to the top front passenger side and rear passenger side of the truck. A neighbor told police that the pole had been struck multiple times.

Maindu was given a verbal warning for failure to drive right.

Flagpole Crash

Newtown police report a 2005 Volkswagen Passat being operated by Gregory Pategas, 54, of Sandy Hook, was traveling north on Main Street near the flagpole around 7:03 pm, Wednesday, March 17.

At the same time, a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 was traveling south on Main Street.

Pategas began to make a left turn from Main to West Street, and his vehicle was struck by the Silverado.

The Volkswagen was driven from the scene; the Silverado was towed.

Both drivers, and a passenger in the Volkswagen, were uninjured.

Pategas was given a verbal warning for failing to grant right of way.

Verbal Warning

A 2019 Toyota Highlander SE being operated by Laurie A. Bucci, 38, of Mahopac, N.Y., was traveling north on Toddy Hill Road around 1:17 pm, Tuesday, March 23.

A 2015 Hyundai Elantra being operated by Barbara Ance, 58, of Sandy Hook, was also traveling north on Toddy Hill Road, behind the Toyota.

Bucci slowed to make a right turn into a driveway on Toddy Hill Road, and the Hyundai struck the rear of the Toyota.

Bucci reported neck pain and was transported to the hospital by Newtown Volunteer Ambulance. No injuries were reported by Ance or passengers in either vehicle.

Botsford Fire Rescue also responded to the scene.

Ance was given a verbal warning for following too close.

Hit And Run

Newtown police report a 2016 Audi S3 Premium Plus, operated by Pauline C. Denning, 74, was traveling southbound on South Main Street around 78 South Main, just north of its northernmost driveway, around 5:17 pm, Wednesday, March 24.

Denning stopped for traffic at a red traffic signal at the intersection with Mile Hill Road.

While the Audi was stopped, an unknown vehicle, also traveling south, rear ended the Audio.

Denning turned into the driveway of 78 South Main Street, and waited for the second vehicle to follow her. She told police she watched as the vehicle continued south on South Main Street without stopping.

The only description she was able to provide was the evading vehicle had a state of Florida license plate.

The Audi sustained functional damage to the rear bumper. Police believe there was enough damage that the evading operator should have known they were involved in an accident causing damage.

Denning was not injured, and the Audi was driven from the scene.

It is unknown what damage the evading vehicle sustained or if its operator was injured.

Verbal Warning

Newtown police responded to a two-vehicle non-injury collision on Main Street near the flagpole around 10:40 am, Thursday, March 25.

Following an investigation, police determined that a vehicle traveling southbound on Main Street made a left turn in front of a vehicle traveling northbound on Main Street.

The operator of the southbound vehicle was issued a verbal warning for failing to grant the right of way.

Evading Driver Caught, Charged

Newtown police report a 2000 Toyota Corolla was traveling northbound on South Main Street behind a 2020 Honda Accord LX around 2:10 pm, Thursday, March 25.

The Honda slowed in the flow of traffic for a vehicle in front of it, which had stopped at the intersection of Elizabeth Road and South Main Street to turn right.

The front end of the Corolla, which was being operated by Juan M. Rivera, 63, of Bridgeport, struck the back end of the Honda, which was being operated by Susan L. Odell, 60, of Bethel.

The front license plate of the Toyota fell off into the road after impact. Rivera left the scene, evading the accident. The Honda sustained functional damage and was towed from the scene.

There were no injuries reported.

The Toyota was subsequently located, and Rivera was issued a misdemeanor summons for evading responsibility, following too close, and operating a vehicle while a license is suspended.

Rivera was given a court date of April 8.

Caught After Attempted Vehicle Break-In

On Saturday, March 27, around 11:18 pm, Newtown police were dispatched to a home in Sandy Hook on a report of a male attempting to break into a Mercedes sedan.

The suspect fled in a vehicle at a high rate of speed after being confronted. The suspect vehicle had been waiting in front of a neighboring property with its lights off.

Following an investigation, it was determined that the suspect, John Polmon, 40, of Watertown, knew the owner of the Mercedes.

Polmon was placed under arrest and charged with stalking-second degree, breach of peace, and possession of a controlled substance.

He was released on a $2,000 cash bond and given a March 29 appearance date in Danbury Superior

Arrested On Three Charges

On Sunday, March 28, at approximately 10:41 pm, the Newtown Police Department received a complaint of an erratic driver in the area of 228 South Main Street.

Dispatchers were advised that the vehicle, a Jeep Wrangler, was traveling northbound on South Main Street. The caller advised that the vehicle was swerving and had people hanging out of the sunroof.

Officers located the vehicle near Highland Plaza and began following the vehicle. Officers observed an individual sitting on the roof of the Wrangler as the vehicle was traveling northbound.

Officers then attempted to stop the vehicle, but it continued half a mile before stopping.

The driver was identified as Ryan Poupon, 18, of Newtown.

Following an investigation Poupon was arrested and charged with one count of driving under the influence-less than 21 years, one court of reckless driving, and one count of disobeying the signal of an officer.

Poupon was released on a $100 cash bond and issued a court date of April 12.