Police Catch Suspect After Chase

Newtown Police report that officers attempted a traffic stop on a 2013 Toyota Prius at 11:37 am July 7. The vehicle had been reported stolen several days prior. Rather than complying, the vehicle attempted a U-turn, and the officer attempted to block the vehicle’s path with his cruiser, but the operator, later identified as Joao Almeida-Bastos, 22, of Danbury, accelerated away and attempted to turn left onto Turkey Roost Road. During the turn, the operator lost control and struck a tree, a large rock, and other landscaping, nearly flipping the vehicle.

Almeida-Bastos, who was wearing a black shirt and black shorts and was barefoot, then attempted to flee on foot after grabbing an unknown item from under the seat. The operator jumped two fences and ran through several back yards. A property owner, Craig Weidner of Sandy Hook, also briefly aided in the foot chase. Almeida-Bastos was 100 yards ahead of the officer when he ran into the woodline. The officer did not pursue and called for K9 backup. Connecticut State Police arrived shortly afterwards with two K9 units.

The K9 tracked through very thick brush north and foot prints were observed in the swampy area, which were fresh. As officers exited the woods, a resident on Clearview Drive said she observed a man matching Almeida-Bastos’ description running west through several yards. A resident on Black Walnut Drive said Almeida-Bastos came to her property and asked to use her phone. She allowed him to use the phone and also provided him with shoes to wear. After making his call he walked out of sight.

Another officer observed Almeida-Bastos running along the high tension power lines, but then lost track of him. A continued search of the area yielded no results.

At 2:17 pm, it was reported Almeida-Bastos had attempted to gain access into a locked rear door of a home on Toddy Hill Road and the residents called 911. Almeida-Bastos then fled towards the power lines, and was later arrested on Toddy Hill Road at 2:52 pm.

Almeida-Bastos claimed the item he was seen taking from the vehicle was a sling for his shoulder, which he said was dislocated and in pain. Almeida-Bastos had a number of minor cuts and scrapes from running through the woods. He was transported to Danbury Hospital.

Almeida-Bastos was charged with improper use of marker plates, reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, making an improper turn, operating a motor vehicle without a license, criminal attempt at second-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief, use of a motor vehicle without permission, larceny of a motor vehicle — first offense, first-degree criminal trover, and interfering with an officer/resisting arrest.

He was held of a $100,000 bond with a court date of July 8 in Danbury Superior Court.

Newtown Police Department expressed its gratitude for the assistance of Connecticut State Police and the multiple citizens who provided information.

Three Car Collision

Newtown Police report Michael Senita, 28, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2018 Hyundai Elantra, was standing in traffic in the left turn lane located at the intersection of Hawleyville Road and Currituck Road at 4:20 pm July 9. Joseph Carreiro, 27, of Greenwich, operating a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, was traveling northbound on Hawleyville Road. Flynn Shipman, 19, of Old Saybrook, operating a 2022 Volkwagen Atlas, was standing in traffic behind an unknown vehicle at the stop sign located at the intersection of Currituck Road and Hawleyville Road.

As the unknown vehicle turned left onto Hawleyville Road, Senita failed to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic and attempted to turn left onto Currituck Road, striking Carreiro’s vehicle. The impact caused Senita’s vehicle to then strike Shipman’s vehicle.

Both Senita and Carreiro reported minor injuries and were treated on scene. Senita’s and Carreiro’s vehicles were towed.

Senita was issued an infraction for failure to grant right of way to oncoming traffic.

Rear Ended On Berkshire

Newtown Police report Zachary Guilherme, 21, of Oxford, operating a 2017 Toyota Rav4, was traveling northbound on Berkshire Road at 4:26 pm July 9. He was traveling behind a 2023 Ford Maverick operated by Edson Rodrigues-Desouza, 46, of Newtown. Rodrigues-Desouza began to slow and came to stop due to a vehicle ahead making a left hand turn onto Sherman Street. Guilherme was unable to stop in time and rear ended Rodrigues-Desouza’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Guilherme’s vehicle was towed.

Guilherme was issued an infraction for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart.

Sex Offender Registry Charge

Newtown Police report that on July 9, Earl Cowed, 66, of Newtown turned himself in to Newtown Police after learning of a warrant for his arrest. Cowes was charged with two counts of failure to register-sexual violence. The warrant was issued following an investigation by the Newtown Police Department Detective Bureau, based on a report received from the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection — Sex Offender Registry Unit.

Cowes was released on a promise to appear with a Danbury Superior Court date of July 23.

Parking Lot Fender Bender

Newtown Police report Ruth Mbombo, 31, of Bridgeport, was in the rear parking lot of 99 Main Street South, attempting to pull into a spot, at 12:40 pm July 10. While entering the spot, Mbombo hit an unoccupied 2010 Toyota Corolla owned by Nicholas Rodia of Stratford.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

No enforcement action was taken since the incident occurred on private property.

Struck Utility Pole

Newtown Police report Sandhya Tedla, 57, of Newtown, operating a 2018 Mazda CX-5, was traveling northeast on Swamp Road at 6:40 pm July 10. While driving on a straight portion of the roadway, the vehicle suddenly swerved to the right and struck a utility pole. Tedla had no further explanation as to how the collision occurred.

Tedla complained of minor injuries but declined transport to the hospital. The vehicle was towed.

Tedla was issued a written warning for failure to maintain the proper lane.

Incident In Parking Lot

Newtown Police report Ines Debrito, 67, of Newtown, operating a 2018 Hyundai Tucson, was parking in the parking lot of 5 Queen Street at 4:52 pm July 12. While parking, she struck an unoccupied 2016 Buick Cascada owned by Karly Nejame of New Fairfield.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

No enforcement action was taken since the incident occurred on private property.

Loud Music Leads To Arrest

Newtown Police report that at 9:30 pm July 12, Newtown Police officers were dispatched to a home on Currituck Road for a complaint of loud music. Once at the scene, Mark Rodriguez, 23, of Newtown, was found to have an active warrant for his arrest. Rodriguez was taken into custody and charged with second-degree failure to appear.

He was released on a $1,000 bond with a court date of July 22 in Danbury Superior Court.

Drug Arrest

Newtown Police report on July 13, Newtown Police observed a vehicle in the parking lot of the Mobil Gas Station on Church Hill Road with the wrong plates affixed to it.

Police made contact with the operator of the vehicle, Matthew Cabral, 37, of Sandy Hook. Further investigation revealed the presence of fentanyl and cocaine inside the vehicle.

Cabral was arrested and charged with possession of narcotics and misuse of registration plates.

He was released from custody with a court date of July 23 in Danbury Superior Court.