Police Reports July 8 - 10, 2005

By ANDY GOROSKO

Published: Jul 15, 2005 12:00 am

Hawleyville Mishap

Police report that motorist Wellington DeFreitas, 27, of Danbury was driving a 1991 Mazda 626 sedan eastward on Mt Pleasant Road behind an unidentified eastbound flatbed tractor-trailer truck about 5:14 am July 8, when the truck slowed suddenly near Taunton Lane.

The Mazda then drove into the rear end of the truck, damaging the auto, police said. DeFreitas was not injured.

After the impact, the truck continued driving eastward without stopping, police said. Police verbally warned DeFreitas for following too closely.

Police Officer Michael McGowan asks anyone with information on the identity of the truck driver to contact him at the police station at 426-5841.

Criminal Charges

Police said they made an arrest in connection with an incident that occurred on February 9.

On July 8, police went to the home of Richard Hood, 18, of 1 Dusty Lane and served a warrant against him on charges of third degree larceny and third degree burglary.

After processing the arrest, police released Hood on $2,500 bail for a July 26 appearance in Danbury Superior Court.

Driving Violation

On July 10 about 7:47 pm, police said they stopped motorist Eric Carmichael, 29, of 34 Glen Road while he was on Church Hill Road, on recalling that he had a suspended driverâs license.

Â Police charged Carmichael with driving while under suspension. He was released on $100 bail for a July 21 court appearance.

DUI Charge

About 5:48 am July 10, a passing motorist told police that he had seen a vehicle parked on Glover Avenue at Main Street with its driver asleep.

Police went to investigate and found motorist Darwin Patino-Mendieta, 28, of Danbury asleep at the wheel, with the autoâs transmission in âDriveâ and his foot on the brake pedal.

Police said they tested Patino-Mendieta for sobriety, after which they charged him with driving under the influence. Police released him on $60 bail for a July 26 court appearance.

Violations

On July 10, police stopped motorist Roberto Genao, 40, of Danbury and charged him with failure to display a marker plate and with driving while under suspension. Genao was released on $100 bail for a July 28 court appearance.

Two Charges

On July 10, police stopped motorist Luis Klaus, 26, of Bridgeport and charged him with driving while under suspension and with driving an unregistered vehicle. After processing, police released Klaus on $140 bail for a July 25 court appearance.

Suspension

State police said they spotted Johnny Loja, 23, of Danbury acting suspiciously in the commuter parking lot near Exit 11 of Interstate 84 about 2:18 am July 10. State police said they later stopped Loja and charged him with driving while under suspension.

State police held Loja on $500 bail for a July 11 court appearance.

Wet Road

Motorist Chris Slaney, 22, of 3 Madison Drive was driving a 1994 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck on westbound Interstate 84âs Exit 10 on-ramp about 6:20 am July 8, when the truck went out of control on the wet road on a curve and collided with metal-beam guardrailing, state police said.

Slaney was not injured. State police said Slaney was traveling too fast for conditions.

Subaru Crash

Motorist Meghann Carter, 16, of 46 High Bridge Road was driving a 1997 Subaru Legacy station wagon eastward on Castle Hill Road, near Old Castle Hill Road, about 7:50 pm July 7, when while approaching a curve in the road, the vehicle traction, went into a skid and entered the westbound lane, police said.

The Subaru went off the westbound road shoulder, struck a tree, and then hit some rocks, police said. Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps members went to the scene, but Carter was not injured, police said. Police issued Carter an infraction ticket for failure to drive to the right on a curve.

South Main Accident

Police report an accident during rainy conditions about 11:56 am July 8 on South Main Street.

Motorist Daniel Wiener, 16, of 9 Marlin Road was driving a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee southward in the left lane of two southbound lanes, as motorist George Belbusti, 37, of Orange was driving a 2004 ChevroletÂ Impala southward in the right lane, police said.

A noncontact vehicle, which was in front of the Jeep, stopped in order to make a left turn, so the Jeep attempted to pass the noncontact vehicle on the right, but in doing so the Jeep sideswiped the Chevrolet, according to police.

There were no injuries. Police issued Wiener a written warning for improper passing.

Sandy Hook Collision

A two-car accident occurred during rainy conditions about 8:51 am July 8 at the intersection of Wasserman Way andÂ Berkshire Road in Sandy Hook.

Motorist Stephen Miller, 41, of Southbury, who was driving a 2002 Subaru Impreza station wagon eastward on Wasserman Way, stopped for a traffic signal at the intersection and was struck from behind by eastbound motorist Rebecca Little, 34, of Thomaston, who was driving a 1997 Saturn SL-2, police said.

There were no injuries. Police issued Little a written warning for following too closely.

Patricia Anzellotti

Fire Reports | August 13-19, 2025

Labor Day Closings & Early Deadlines

Police Reports | August 2-August 17

DAV, RecruitMilitary Host National Virtual Career Fair For Veterans

It seems a lot of the discussion around the flagpole focuses on vilifying drivers who pass on the right, but the real issue is being overlooked. If Chapter 248 Section 14-251 were enforced, we wouldn’t see this problem to begin with. That statute prohibits stopping in the middle of a roadway to yield to cross traffic—as so often happens with cars waiting to turn from Church Hill. When vehicles stop illegally in the travel lane, they effectively create a blockage. Other drivers then either sit through unnecessary delays or carefully pass around them on the right, which is fully permitted when the vehicle ahead is “illegally parked” in the roadway. Instead of punishing drivers reacting to the obstruction, enforcement should focus on the cause: vehicles unlawfully stopping and backing up traffic in the first place. If that behavior were addressed, the need to “go around” would largely disappear.

Borough Board of Burgesses Continues Traffic Safety Discussion

John, you raise an important point — these situations are tragic, complicated, and often far less clear-cut than the headlines make them seem. In the Fredericksburg case, the full facts still aren’t publicly known, and like so many of these stories, there’s conflicting information. It was apparently the back door at 3 a.m. — was it justified to use deadly force? We don’t know yet. What we do know is that the homeowner has been charged, and as you rightly noted, that is very serious. But this is also where perspective matters. These cases are quickly sensationalized in the news and on social media, yet when the dust settles, the outcomes are rarely publicized. People forget that in our system, you are innocent until proven guilty. Try to find much coverage of the convication in the case of the Fairfield Realtor vehicle homicide, or updates on the woman who shot her husband a couple of Christmases ago, or even the pedestrian death in Sandy Hook a year or so back. The follow-through simply isn’t there, and public opinion is often shaped only by the first round of headlines. At the end of the day, these situations remind us how split-second decisions in the middle of the night can change lives forever — which is exactly why the right to protect one’s property, home and family is so fiercely debated, and lucky constitutionally protected.

Late Night Prank Gone Wrong

First the low hanging fruit. Dave; it was a joke, please get over it. You are the only person in Newtown that thought I really wanted to build a stadium on 6 Commence Rd. Now on to Alex. You might not appreciate my writing style or my selection of words, but let's not loose sight of the fact that by responding to my letter in the manner that you did, you have removed any doubt whatsoever that you have no idea of the quantifiable benefits you are dismissing not only for the town, but also for protesters. Either you stopped listening at the word "ordinance" or you never started.. Your constitutional rights to assemble were never in question and would actually be strengthened and there would be literally no impediments. We could even title it "The Alex Villamil Ordinance" if you want. It could be your legacy and actually show Newtown your willingness to work in a bipartisan way for the betterment of the town. Businesses would be protected. Traffic wouldn't be interrupted. The town would save hundreds of thousands of dollars in police overtime. And maybe most importantly, the town could prevent another tragedy while mitigating legal risk in the event something terrible happens at a protest. Nothing bad could never happen in Newtown right? All that could be accomplished by a simple, non-intrusive ordinance unless all the detriments to our town are intentional in order to bring more attention to your cause. Alex, this was not me throwing a temper tantrum. Believe me, you will know it if that happens. I am just putting Newtown first. From that perspective, if you think critically, the regulation is necessary. It makes sense logically, rationally, and is reasonable. There is absolutely no down side. None. I would be willing to sit down with you to see if we could come to some type of compromise if you want. Let me know. You would be amazed how much you can accomplish when there is dialogue amongst neighbors.

It’s About Dialogue Amongst Neighbors — Not Regulation

A popular prank circulating on TikTok is “ding-dong-ditch” where a group of young people violently bang or kick someone’s door late at night and then “ditch” or run. On May 3 three high schoolers here in Fredericksburg Va. were participating in such a prank. One homeowner assumed, as in this case, an attempted break in and also took measures to defend his family and property. As the youths were running away he fired, striking an 18 year old graduating senior in the back killing him and seriously injuring a second youth. A wasted life, a family shattered, and the homeowner charged with murder.

You’re absolutely right — no one should ever feel unsafe in their own home. Being startled awake by violent banging at your door late at night is no joke, and it’s a stark reminder that danger can come without warning. That’s why I’m thankful for the right to protect ourselves, our families, and our property. In a moment like that, you don’t get a second chance to call for help before you act — you have to be prepared. Our homes should be a place of peace, not fear, and the ability to defend them is a right worth safeguarding.

<< Aug 2025 >>
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
27	28	29	30	31	1	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31	1	2	3	4	5	6

Log In

Police Reports July 8 - 10, 2005

Leave a Reply Cancel reply