News

Police Reports | August 10-23, 2025

Published: Sep 01, 2025 8:00 am

Right On Red Leads To Minor Collision

Newtown Police report on August 10, 2:28 pm, Jean Paul De St Croix, a 76-year-old New Milford resident was operating a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Limited in the eastbound lane of Sugar Street, stopped at a light and waiting to turn right onto South Main Street. Robert Bonocoddo, a 71-year-old from Monroe, was traveling southbound on Main Street approaching South Main Street in a 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage 5.

De St Croix attempted to make a right on red in front of Bonocoddo. Bonocoddo crossed the double yellow center line and tried to drive in front of De St Croix to avoid contact. However, the right rear corner of the Mitsubishi collided with the front corner of the Subaru, causing minor damage to both vehicles. Neither vehicle was towed, and no injuries were reported. De St Croix was issued an infraction for violation of a traffic signal.

Minor Collision At Flagpole

Newtown Police report Shahrukh Akbar Khan, a 47-year-old Sandy Hook resident, was traveling westbound on Church Hill Road near Main Street on August 19 at 2:23 pm in a 2025 Honda CR-V Sport Touring. Eileen Ratcliffe, a 69-year-old Southbury resident, was traveling in front of Khan in a 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.

Ratcliffe came to a stop and was trying to turn right onto Main Street. While at the stop sign, Khan struck the left rear corner of the Miata. Neither vehicle was towed and no injuries were reported. Khan was issued an infraction for following too close.

Arrest For Operating With A Suspended License

Newtown Police report that Jae Won Kim, a 37-year-old Bethel resident, was arrested on August 19. Police initiated a traffic stop on Toddy Hill Road and Kim was charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. Kim’s court date is scheduled for September 3 at Danbury Superior Court.

Operation With A Suspended License Leads To Arrest

Newtown Police report on August 19, a traffic stop was initiated on Little Brook Lane. The operator of the vehicle, 47-year-old Melinda Grenier of Danbury, was charged with operating with a suspended license. Grenier’s court date is scheduled for September 3 at Danbury Superior Court.

Dump Truck Strikes Wires

Newtown Police report on August 20, 5:19 am, Michael Grubisa, a 74-year-old Botsford resident, was operating a 2005 Peterbilt Conventional 379 on Huntingtown Road. The dump body of the Peterbilt was extended in the upright position while in motion, which caused the dump body to strike the overhead communications utility wires. It pulled the vehicle to the left, causing the vehicle to tip before coming to a rest on a utility pole on the southbound shoulder. The utility pole stopped the vehicle from fully tipping over.

No injuries were reported and the vehicle was not towed. Grubisa was issued a written warning for restricted turns.

Collision At Hanover Road And Main Street

Newtown Police report Joseph Pedoto, a 69-year-old Stratford resident was operating a 2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited on August 20 at 10:36 am. Pedoto was traveling southbound on Hanover Road near the clearly posted intersection of Main Street. Ronald Nicholson, a 55-year-old Newtown resident, was traveling northbound on Main Street in a 2025 Freightliner 114SD.

Pedoto entered into the northbound travel lane of Main Street when it was unsafe to do so, causing the front end of the Subaru to make contact with the Freightliner’s front right corner. No injuries were reported, but the Subaru was towed.

Pedoto was issued an enforcement action for failure to grant right of way at an intersection.

DUI Arrest In Driveway

Newtown Police report on August 20, police were dispatched to 1 Dylan Drive for an unresponsive male in the driveway. Coty Cooper, a 33-year-old Troy, N.Y. resident was arrested and charged with illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, possession of a controlled substance, and failure to keep narcotics in original container. Cooper was released after posting 7% of his $5,000 bond and given a court date of September 3 at Danbury Superior Court.

GMC Versus Porsche

Newtown Police report on August 21, 8:54 am, Jermaine Esprit, a 40-year-old Bronx, N.Y. resident, was turning left onto Glover Avenue from Main Street in a 2014 GMC ACA. Maximus Mam, a 55-year-old Naugatuck resident operating a 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo, was traveling northbound on South Main Street. While Esprit was turning, the GMC struck the Porsche.

One of the passengers in the GMC stated his foot hurt, but declined to be evaluated by EMS. No other injuries were reported. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. Esprit was issued an infraction for violating turns restricted.

Traffic Stop Leads To Arrest On Active Warrant

Newtown Police report 71-year-old Rebecca Wood, a Monroe resident, was stopped while operating a motor vehicle on Pepper Street in Monroe for improper use of a motor vehicle registration plate on August 22. Wood had an active warrant in Newtown. Monroe Police detained her and she was taken into custody by Newtown Police. Wood was arrested for violations of operation of a motor vehicle with an elevated blood alcohol content and failure to drive in the proper lane.

Wood’s bond amount was set at $142 and is due at Danbury Superior Court on September 9.

Medical Emergency Causes One-Vehicle Crash

Newtown Police report Matthew Millard, a 33-year-old New Milford resident, was operating a 2017 Ford Transit Connect XL on August 23, 4:40 pm. It was reported that Millard was having a seizure and went off the roadway near Berkshire Road and Wasserman Way. Newtown Ambulance was on scene prior to police arrival and notified dispatch that Millard was conscious and alert.

It was determined, through an investigation, that Millard drove off the roadway just after the entrance/exit of the Exit 11 Commuter Lot and stuck a Department of Transportation (DOT) sign. Then, the vehicle traveled on the sidewalk for approximately 100 feet before striking a second DOT sign. The vehicle then traveled for about 15 feet and then turned back onto the grass, over the sidewalk, and into a chain link fence.

Millard was transported to Danbury Hospital and Modzelewski’s towed the Ford from the scene. No action was taken.

Newtown Police report a 2011 Honda CRV EX-L being operated by Rosilane G. R. Carrijo, 34, of Waterbury, was traveling west on Mt Pleasant Road/State Route 6, east of the intersection with Taunton Lane, around 8 am August 22. The Honda was behind a 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT being operated by Kathryn M. Ahearn, 21, while a 2020 Peterbilt 389 full-size dump truck was traveling eastbound on Mt Pleasant Road. Ahearn stopped the Hyundai at the driveway of Mt Pleasant Animal Hospital, 119 Mt Pleasant Road. The Honda struck the rear of the Hyundai, pushing the Hyundai into the dump truck. The dump truck, being operated by Kevin J. McGarry, 67, of Danbury, veered to the right. The truck ran over part of the lawn in front of the animal hospital and then crashed into a mailbox at 117 Mt Pleasant Road before stopping. Hawleyville Volunteer Fire & Rescue and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance also responded to the crash. Carrijo, a passenger in the Honda, and Ahearn were transported to the hospital for treatment of suspected minor injuries. McGarry was not injured. Carrijo received an infraction for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart resulting in a crash. A brief story with additional details and photos can be found under our News tab. —Bee Photo, Hicks

Fire Reports | August 20-26, 2025

Debi Modzelewski Will Always Cherish Relationships She Made In Newtown’s Schools

CT United Ride Returning September 7

Run 4 Hunger Saturday, September 13

I have to say, I don’t understand how this project could be considered “morally wrong.” That kind of language feels more like obstruction than constructive dialogue. What is morally wrong is leaving seniors in our community without enough housing options. Right now, Newtown does not have adequate senior housing, and the few developments that exist, like Naunawag Meadows, already have waiting lists. As for the comment that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” that simply isn’t accurate. The system is broken when residents who’ve lived here their whole lives cannot find an affordable and appropriate place to age in town. Responsible development that balances environmental concerns, safety improvements (such as traffic calming measures and sidewalks), and the needs of our seniors is exactly the kind of planning Newtown should be doing. This isn’t about wanting or not wanting something in one’s backyard—it’s about building a community that takes care of its people. Please don't get scared away by the nimby mob.

Planning & Zoning Continues Discussion Of 12 Cold Spring Road

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.

Log In

Police Reports | August 10-23, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply