Evading SUV Sought

Newtown Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a large silver SUV involved in a collision and evading situation near the flagpole on December 1. According to reports, Cody Zanard, 27, of Danbury was traveling westbound on Church Hill Road approaching the Main Street intersection in a 2011 Subaru Impreza. As the operator stopped at the Main Street intersection stop sign, his vehicle was struck from behind incurring damage to the extent the Subaru was undrivable. The offending vehicle, a large silver SUV — possibly a GMC Yukon with front passenger side bumper and fender damage — left the scene traveling eastbound on Church Hill Road. No plate was observed and no injuries were reported. Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Fernando Periera at 203-426-5841.

Mailbox Vandalism

Newtown Police Officer Fernando Periera is seeking information regarding mailbox vandalism that was reported around 3:40 pm on December 6 at 9 Pearl Street in Sandy Hook. At that time, police responded to a damaged mailbox report and determined that the box had been purposely damaged. Anyone with information is asked to call 203-426-5841.

DUI Arrests

At approximately 2:24 am on December 6, an officer on routine patrol on Tunnel Road observed a vehicle reportedly involved in a stop sign violation. After pulling the vehicle over and completing a brief investigation, the operator, Joshua Hunter Telesco, 34, of Danbury was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and was charged with the stop sign violation as well as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. After processing, Telesco was released pending a December 22 court appearance in Danbury. A few minutes later, another Newtown police supervisor was patrolling South Main Street when he observed a vehicle driving off the southbound shoulder of South Main Street. After investigating, Andrew Johnson, 21, of Pine Tree Hill Road was arrested for making a restricted turn and DUI. Johnson was later released on a $100 cash bond pending a December 22 court date in Danbury.

Outstanding Warrants

On December 6 at about 4:57 pm, Newtown Police arrested Peter Wallenta of Sunnyview Terrace in Sandy Hook on three outstanding warrants. Wallenta had been arrested on 6th degree larceny charges in September and October of this year. One warrant was for failure to appear in the second degree with a bond totaling $5,000. A separate charge of failure to appear in the second degree was issued with a bond of $6,000. The third warrant was for larceny in the 6th degree. Wallenta was unable to make bond and was held overnight for a December 7 arraignment in Danbury.

Seeking Drone Owner

Newtown Police are searching for the owner of a “drone quad-copter” aircraft that crashed onto property on Platts Hill Road over the Thanksgiving weekend. Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Bart Lorancaitis at 203-270-0637.

Two Lane Collision

On December 5 at about 9:06 pm, police responded to a minor collision near 266 South Main Street. After investigating, officers issued an infraction to Mario Bryan of Bridgeport for failure to drive in the proper lane. According to the report, Bryan was traveling southbound in a 2009 Nissan Altima when he stopped at a traffic signal alongside a Chevrolet Tahoe SUV being operated southbound by Kelly Elliott of Bear Hills Road. When the signal changed, both vehicles proceeded and the Nissan came in contact with the Chevrolet’s driver side mirror. No injuries were reported.

Honda Vs Mercedes

After being called to a reported traffic incident on westbound Interstate 84 east of Exit 9 at approximately 8:37 am December 3, State Police located a 2015 Mercedes CLA25 being operated by a Sudbury, Mass., resident. Upon investigating, troopers determined the Mercedes had slowed for traffic and was struck from behind by a 2002 Honda Accord that left the scene. Troopers subsequently located the vehicle being operated by Mercedes Nika Johnson, 23, of Waterbury and arrested her for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart as well as evading responsibility.

Delivery Van vs Concorde

Newtown Police responded to the area of 28 Schoolhouse Hill Road at approximately 4:23 pm December 5 following a reported minor collision. Upon arrival officers determined that Ahmet Baycoral, 31, was operating a FedEx van and backing out of a local driveway when the van struck by a Chrysler Concorde being operated by William Thiessen, 77, of Currituck Road, who was traveling eastbound on Schoolhouse Hill. Neither operator was injured, although both vehicles sustained damage. Baycoral was subsequently issued a verbal warning for unsafe backing.

This note has been updated to reflect the Newtown Police Department report.

Violation Of Probation

At approximately 9:24 pm on December 6, Andrew Bolmer, 27, of Swamp Road turned himself in at Newtown Police headquarters after learning there was an active PRAWN warrant issued for his arrest on a probation violation. Bolmer was reportedly on probation for a motor vehicle case on October 17, when he was arrested in Newtown on DUI charges. He subsequently posted a $5,000 bond and was released pending a December 22 court appearance in Danbury.

Bail Enforcement

On December 8 at about 7:42 pm, a bail enforcement officer arrived at the Newtown Police headquarters with David Antignani, 35, of Stratford, who was then arrested on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in the second degree. After processing, he was held for arraignment on a $2,000 court set bond.