Seven Charges

Police charged a local man with seven violations on the night of November 16 following a police pursuit in Sandy Hook.

Police said they were operating radar speed detection equipment from a position on Riverside Road about 8 pm when they spotted a Mazda being driven 79 miles per hour in a 25-mph zone.

Police said they turned on their emergency lights before the speeding vehicle had passed them, but the Mazda went by them on Riverside Road and proceeded down Alpine Drive in Riverside where the vehicle’s headlamps were turned off.

The Mazda then drove down Underhill Road with police in pursuit.

The Mazda skidded to a stop at the intersection of Underhill Road and Round Hill Road, and the driver, Richard D. Langford, 44, of 17 Round Hill Road got out of the auto and started to run off, but was apprehended, police said.

Police said they charged Langford with driving under the influence, speeding, engaging police in pursuit, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle while under suspension, and operating a motor vehicle without automotive insurance.

Langford posted a $500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court November 30.

Weapon In Motor Vehicle

State police report they stopped motorist Alfonso Padilla, 25, of New Haven for driving 83 miles per hour in a 65-mph zone on eastbound Interstate-84, east of Exit 11, on November 18.

State police said they learned Padilla’s license was suspended. A search of the vehicle turned up a large knife, according to state police, resulting in a charge of possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle.

 State police released Padilla on a $2,000 bond on criminal and motor vehicle charges for a November 27 appearance in Danbury Superior Court.

Water Balloons

State police report that someone, about 9:45 pm November 17, was throwing water balloons from the Schoolhouse Hill Road overpass onto westbound Interstate-84 and damaged the windshields of two passing vehicles.  State police are investigating the criminal mischief.

I-84 DUI

State police said they stopped motorist Eric J. Janatka, 35, of 151 Hanover Road for driving 92 miles per hour in a 65-mph zone on westbound Interstate-84 near Exit 11 about 10:26 pm November 17. State police said Janatka failed field sobriety tests.

State police charged him with driving under the influence, reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle while under suspension, and possession of narcotics. State police said the narcotics charge stems from the presence of 11 grams of a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine.

State police released Janatka on a $10,500 bond for a November 27 appearance in Danbury Superior Court.

Three Escapees

State police report that three inmates of the Alpha House section of the Daytop substance abuse rehabilitation center in Greenwich House at Fairfield Hills were reported missing from the premises about 12:35 am November 15.

All three inmates, who had been sentenced to Alpha House by a judge as part of an alternative incarceration program, were later located walking along Interstate-84 near Exit 11, state police said.

Charged with escape from custody were: James Aponte, 17, of Hartford; Matthew Miller, 16, of East Haven; and a juvenile, who was not identified because he or she is under 16.

State police said the three youths, who were held on $50,000 bonds, are scheduled to appear in court December 5 to face a judge.

Route 34 DUI

Police said they encountered a one-vehicle accident on Route 34, between Mile Hill Road and Toddy Hill Road, about 12:45 am November 18.

Police said motorist Chester W. Seavey, Jr, 49, of 7 Toddy Hill Road failed field sobriety tests.

Police lodged charges against Seavey including driving under the influence and operating a motor vehicle without automotive insurance. Police released Seavey on a $50 bond for a December 7 appearance in Danbury Superior Court.

 

Off The Interstate

State police report motorist Kimberly Richter, 35, of Woodbury, who was driving a 2000 Ford sedan, was traveling eastbound on Interstate-84 about 5:30 pm November 15 when the Ford went off the left side of the road and knocked down some steel guard cabling. Richter was not injured. State police said Richter failed to drive to the right.

Two Deer Hit

Motorist Ray V. Tompkins, 56, of 51 Orchard Hill Road, who was driving a 1993 Jeep Wrangler eastbound on Mt Pleasant Road about 6:25 pm November 16, encountered two deer which had run into the road and collided with them, police said. Mr Tompkins was not injured. There was no enforcement action.