Switched Plates

Newtown police took notice of a driver operating a 1992 Chevrolet Blazer northbound on South Main Street at about 4:50 pm on September 8, because he was reportedly talking on a cellphone without a hands-free device. Upon investigating further, it was determined the driver, Elvia Saquicela, 40, of Lake Avenue, Danbury, was operating without a license. The investigating officer also discovered the license plates on the Blazer were issued to another vehicle. The individual was arrested and the vehicle was towed from the scene. Saquicela was charged with misuse of marker plates, operating without a license, and operating while using a handheld mobile phone. He was released on a $250 cash bond pending a September 21 court appearance.

License Suspended

According to police, on September 9 at approximately 10:02 pm, Lucien Piccirillo, 62, of Sunnyview Terrace in Sandy Hook, was observed driving through a red light on Queen Street at Newtown Shopping Center. Upon investigating further, an officer discovered the operator was driving with a suspended license. After he was arrested and charged with disregarding a traffic signal and operating under suspension, Piccirillo was released on a written promise to appear in court on September 26.

Wanted On Warrant

On September 7, Newtown Police arrested Craig Thomas, 44, of Ocean Avenue, West Haven, on a charge of misuse of marker plates after he turned himself in on an outstanding warrant. The individual was wanted on two outstanding warrants for failure to appear in court related to an incident that occurred on or about August 1, 2005. Thomas was taken into custody and released later on a $5,000 bond pending a September 20 court appearance.

Alleged Evading

Southbury officers arrested a Newtown resident who they allege struck another car in that town and then fled the scene after learning the police had been called. According to reports, Kathy Diane Klesitz of Turkey Roost Road was operating a 1993 Subaru Impreza northbound on Route 67 near I-84 Exit 15, when she allegedly struck the rear of a 2002 Hyundai Accent that was stopped at a traffic signal. The driver of the second vehicle, a Milford resident, told an investigating officer that Klesitz drove away after being told the police were on the way. The offending operator was located at her home some time later and arrested. She was subsequently issued a summons for evading and following too close and released on a $500 nonsurety bond pending a September 20 court appearance in Waterbury.

Vandalism At Garner

State Police were called to the Garner Correctional facility September 11 at approximately 9:50 am after the head nurse serving at the center reported that her vehicle, a 2006 Ford Explorer, had been vandalized in the parking lot. According to the report, two derogatory words were spray painted on the rear hatch door sometime during the previous shift. An investigation is continuing.

I-84 Rear-Ender

On September 11 shortly after noon, state police responded to a report of a vehicle collision on Interstate 84 Eastbound, west of Exit 10. According to the report, a 2000 Honda being operated by a Southbury resident was slowing for stopped traffic, when the vehicle was struck from behind by a 2006 Mercedes C280 owned by Mercedes Benz of Danbury, and being operated by Heidi Jo Sztanko, 32, of Shrub Oak, N.Y. Minor damage occurred to both vehicles, but no injuries were reported among the vehicles’ occupants. Sztanko was issued a citation for following too close.

Hit Stop Sign

Newtown Police responded to the report of a collision at the intersection of West Street and Castle Hill Road on September 12 at about 4:20 pm. Upon arrival officers discovered that a 2003 Dodge Dakota truck being operated by David R. Waite, 56, of Taunton Hill Road, had attempted to turn from West Street onto Castle Hill Road. The truck reportedly turned too wide, striking a stop sign at the intersection resulting in minor damage to the truck. Waite was cited for making an improper turn.

Bondsman Successful

On the evening of September 12, Donald H. Nickerson of Orchard Street, Bridgeport, was picked up at his residence on an outstanding warrant by a bail bondsman. The individual was brought to the Newtown Police headquarters and held on a $3,000 bond. Mr Nickerson was subsequently presented in court the morning of September 13 on the outstanding charges of failure to drive right, operating without a license, DUI, and failure to appear in the second degree.