Wallet Removed

On September 3, an individual came into police headquarters to report a wallet was stolen from his unlocked, parked vehicle at 31 Peck’s Lane on August 19. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Officer John McClusky at the Newtown Police Department, 426-5841.

VW Mishap

Motorist Erick Landwehr, 18, of Brookfield, who was driving a 2000 Volkswagen Passat sedan westward on Hawleyville Road near its intersection with Currituck Road at about 11:32 pm September 3, was negotiating a curve on the wet pavement when he lost control of the auto, police said. The Volkswagen went off the road and down a grassy slope, coming to rest against some brush, police said. Landwehr was not injured. Police verbally warned him for traveling too fast for conditions.

Under Suspension

On September 5 at about 12:49 pm, officers spotted Claudianete R. Melo, 32, of 19 Balford Avenue, Danbury, allegedly talking on her cellphone while driving on Route 302 northbound. A subsequent check found the driver was operating while under suspension. She was arrested and charged with the cellphone and operating violation, and was subsequently released on a $500 cash bond pending an appearance in court September 18.

Three Way Crash

On September 5 at about 3:06 pm, Stephen Demasco, 56, of Richmond, N.H., was operating a 2004 BMW, and was stopped on Church Hill Road. Police say the driver stated that his foot slipped from the brake to the gas and his vehicle hit the rear of a 2002 Saab being driven by Marianne Grimaldi, 51, of Walnut Tree Hill Road in Sandy Hook, and forcing her vehicle into the rear of a US Postal Service truck being operated by James Schiffer, 44, of North Street, Seymour. The Saab sustained front and rear damage, and the postal vehicle sustained rear damage. No injuries were sustained by any party. Police subsequently cited Mr Demasco for following too close.

Passenger Injured

While sitting stopped in heavy commuter traffic on I-84 Eastbound at about 5:02 pm on September 5, a 2007 Honda Odyssey van being operated by Jill Auerback of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., was struck from behind by a 2004 Ford F350 pickup being driven by Jamen McMahon, 33, of Diane Trail in Monroe. The force of the collision caused the Honda into the rear of a 2007 Acura sedan driven by Donald Evans, 60, of Fishkill, N.Y. Once State Police arrived on the scene, a passenger in the Honda van complained of an injury and was subsequently evaluated and transferred to Danbury Hospital by Newtown Ambulance volunteers. Mr McMahon was issued an infraction for failure to maintain a safe distance.

Suspects Apprehended

On September 6 at about 3:11 pm, police apprehended an alleged shoplifting suspect and accomplice involved in an incident at Super Stop & Shop, 228 Main Street South. According to the report, Brian Dominguez, 25, of Madison Avenue in Trumbull, was apprehended in the adjacent Waterfall Plaza and arrested after he was reportedly observed removing items from the store. Witnesses who contacted the newspaper separately said they saw the accused flee the store with items in a shopping cart while being pursued by store personnel and other witnesses. One witness said the accused removed items from the cart and proceeded across South Main Street where he was identified to an animal control officer who happened to be in Waterfall Plaza.

At that time, witnesses said police officers arrived on the scene and placed the suspect under arrest. Police say they subsequently identified a female accomplice, Tina Avelar-Ferro, 23, of Madison Avenue in Trumbull, waiting in the Sand Hill plaza parking lot in a cab. Neither party had money to pay for the cab, police reported. Mr Dominguez was charged with larceny in the fourth degree and larceny in the sixth degree, and was held on a $5,000 bond pending a September 8 arraignment. Ms Avelar-Ferro was charged with larceny in the sixth degree and conspiracy to commit larceny in the fourth degree, and was released on a $250 bond pending a September 19 court date.

Injury Sustained

During the height of a storm on September 6 at approximately 6:52 pm, Paul Spicer, 48, of Laurel Glen Drive in Shelton, was operating a 2006 BMW eastbound on Hanover Road near the intersection with The Boulevard Extension. Police say he failed to stop at the stop sign at that intersection, and hit a 2008 Nissan in the intersection being operated southbound by Patrick Loughman of Sandy Hook. The Nissan subsequently hit an adjacent guard rail. Upon arrival, police learned that a passenger in the Nissan was injured and was subsequently transported to Danbury Hospital by local ambulance complaining about back pain. The Nissan was towed from the scene with damage to the passenger side quarter panel and front end, and Mr Spicer was cited for failure to stop at a stop sign.

Rain-Related Crash

On September 6 at approximately 1:30 am, police responded to 165 Hanover Road following the report of a vehicle crash. Upon arrival, police state that Patricia Gaffney, 47, of 179 Hanover Road said she was traveling north in heavy rain when she skidded into a metal beam guide rail. Her vehicle, a 1990 Buick LeSabre, sustained damage to the front right end, and had to be towed. The driver, who police say was alone in the vehicle, was cited for making a restricted turn.

Backing Collision

On September 6 at about 10:51 am, Richard Kuhn, 70, of Chestnut Knoll in Sandy Hook was traveling north on Taunton Lane in a 2002 Chevrolet pickup, when he reportedly missed a turn, stopped, and proceeded to back up. His truck then made contact with a 2008 Subaru station wagon traveling behind being operated by Julia Bastos, 65, of Westwood Terrace in Newtown. The Subaru sustained minor damage and no injuries were reported. Mr Kuhn was issued a written warning for unsafe backing.

Alleged DUI

On September 7 at 12:27 am, police stopped Cathy Ortiz, 38, of Mt Vernon Road in Oakville, after reportedly observing her vehicle crossing the center line on Church Hill Road. Upon investigation, she was arrested for driving in the right lane and DUI. After processing, the accused was released on a $125 cash bond and assigned a court appearance on September 23.

Larceny Charge

On September 8 at about 3:35 pm, police responded to the Big Y market on Queen Street where they charged Jennifer Christie, 28, of Underhill Road in Sandy Hook, with Larceny in the sixth degree. According to the report, the accused took miscellaneous items from the store totaling $47.45. She was issued a written promise to appear in court on September 18 and subsequently released.

Garner Incident

On September 8 at approximately 10:40 am, State Police responded to the Garner Correctional Facility and placed 23-year-old Jerome Riddick under arrest. According to reports, Mr Riddick engaged in an altercation in which he initially refused to comply with an order from a correctional staff member. Police said he then swung his arm at, and spit at, a corrections officer. Mr Riddick was charged with interfering and assault on a peace officer. He was held on a $10,000 bond until his arraignment the next day.

Pathfinder Rollover

A slick highway may have contributed to a rollover that was investigated by State Police September 9 at about 10:48 am on I-84 eastbound near Exit 9. According to the report, Hildegard M. Benjamin, 70, of Ford Road in Denville, N.J., was operating a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder when she failed to fully negotiate a curve and slid onto the grassy median where the vehicle rolled over several times. Both she and another occupant of the vehicle suffered injuries to their arms and facial lacerations, and were transported to Danbury Hospital by local ambulance crews. The driver was subsequently issued a written warning for traveling too fast for conditions.

Fender Bender

On September 9 at about 3:59 pm, police responded to the intersection of Wasserman Way and Berkshire Road following a report of a collision. Upon arrival police determined that Mike Chueka, 29, of Manor Avenue in Waterbury, was operating a 2007 Ford Econoline Van owned by Arch Glass of Shelton. According to the report, his westbound vehicle was unable to stop for traffic on Wasserman Way, and hit a 2004 Camry being operated by Hugh Roden of Shelton from behind. Both vehicles sustained minor damage. There were no reported injuries and neither vehicle required towing. Mr Chueka was issued a written warning for following too closely.

Outstanding Warrant

On September 9 at 12:49 am, a State Police trooper was conducting radar monitoring near a construction site on Route 84 westbound near the Exit 11 off ramp when he observed a vehicle improperly entering the construction pattern of traffic. After pulling the vehicle over to investigate, the trooper learned the operator, Esam R. Yousef, 33 of North Spring Street in Naugatuck had an outstanding warrant issued against him on a breach of peace charge from Waterbury Police. He was subsequently placed under arrest and released to the Waterbury Police with a $1,500 bond.

Underage Drinking

Police report that three teenagers under age 18, and a juvenile under age 16, were issued summonses by Newtown Police for possession of alcohol by a minor on private property following an investigation at 12 Elana Lane in Sandy Hook September 5. Police responded along with an ambulance crew to that address at 11:45 that evening after a report of an unconscious male. That individual was transported to Danbury Hospital. The other individuals involved will answer court dates assigned. State law prohibits police from publishing the names of the individuals involved if they are juveniles under age 16, or between 16 and 18 years of age.

Church Hill Collision

On September 8 at about 5:41 pm, Newtown Police responded to the area of 66 Church Hill Road and found a minor traffic collision had occurred. According to the report, Walter H. Ayers, 89, of Newtown was exiting a parking lot in his 1999 Buick Century when he hit a 2000 Chrysler Cirrus being driven eastbound by Michael R. Shaw of Knoll Street in Waterbury. There was minor damage to the Chrysler and the Buick but no tow was required, and no injuries were sustained. Mr Ayers was issued a citation for failure to grant the right of way.

Deer Vs Ambulance

The operator of a Danbury Ambulance Service rig reported being struck by a deer on Toddy Hill Road near Longview Road at about 9 pm September 8. Police responded and determined there was right side damage to the commercial vehicle, which police said was on a call without lights or siren activated at the time of the collision. Thomas O’Rourke, 39, of Pembroke Avenue, Danbury was driving the ambulance at the time of the incident. He reported the deer ran away after the impact.

Car vs Deer

Richard Guman, 40, of Settlers Lane, Sandy Hook reported he was traveling south on Toddy Hill Road near Quarry Ridge around 8:15 pm on September 1 when a deer ran into the roadway and made contact with the front end of his 2003 Volkswagen sedan, causing some damage. There was no injury and the vehicle was drivable from the scene. Mr Guman reportedly told police the deer fled the roadway after being hit.