Police Checkpoint Nets DUI, Drug, Vehicle Violations

Police Sergeant Christopher Vanghele said this week police made a variety of arrests at the first local sobriety checkpoint of the year, which was held at Fairfield Hills on the night of Saturday April 29, and early morning hours of Sunday, April 30.

During the course of the event, which ran from 7 pm on April 29, to 3 am on April 30, ten police officers and one supervisor stopped an estimated 750 vehicles that passed by the checkpoint, which was held on Wasserman Way near its intersection with Trades Lane, the sergeant reported. Wasserman Way is wide in that area, allowing vehicles to be easily stopped.

All vehicles passing in both directions were stopped, after which police briefly interviewed motorists to determine whether they had been using alcohol and/or drugs before driving. Motorists suspected of such behavior were then given sobriety testing.

During the checkpoint, police made six custodial arrests, including three for driving under the influence, two for drug possession, and one for possession of stolen marker plates, the sergeant said.

Police issued 25 verbal warnings for miscellaneous motor vehicle offenses and eight written warnings for various vehicular violations. Police issued seven infraction tickets, including three to drivers with unregistered motor vehicles, and two to drivers who did not have licenses.

Police plan to conduct additional sobriety checkpoints in May, June, July, and August, Sgt Vanghele said.

The sergeant described six major violations that occurred at the April 29/30 checkpoint.

About 10:50 pm April 29, motorist Thomas Verdock, 26, of Stratford was seen making a U-turn on Wasserman Way to avoid going through the checkpoint, police said. Verdock’s vehicle hit some curbing, after which police stopped it.

After giving Verdock field sobriety tests, police charged Verdock with driving under the influence. He was released on $60 bail for a May 16 appearance in Danbury Superior Court.

About 11:12 pm April 29, police stopped motorist Tony Schettino, 22, of Fairfield at the checkpoint, after which they smelled the odor of burnt marijuana, they said.

After a search, police charged Schettino with driving under the influence and with possession of less than four ounces of marijuana. He was released on $60 bail for a May 16 court appearance.

About 12:40 am April 30, police stopped Victor Rinaldi, 62, of Terryville at the checkpoint. After field sobriety testing, police charged him with driving under the influence. After posting $50 bail, police released him for a May 16 court appearance.

Also at the sobriety checkpoint, police charged Jonathan Johnson, Jr, 25, of Stratford with possession of less than four ounces of marijuana and with possession of drug paraphernalia. Police released Johnson on a promise to appear May 16 in Danbury Superior Court.

Additionally, police arrested an unidentified youth on those two drug charges. That person is categorized as a “youthful offender” whose identity is shielded from public disclosure by recent state law. Youthful offenders are either 16 or 17 years old.

The youth was released into parents’ custody for a May 19 appearance in Danbury Youthful Offender Court.

In another checkpoint arrest, police charged motorist George Lopez, 20, of Bridgeport with misuse of marker plates, possession of stolen marker plates, driving without a license, driving without automotive insurance, and driving an unregistered vehicle.

Lopez posted $500 bail and was released for a May 16 court appearance.