DUI Charge

Newtown Police report that a vehicle was observed driving erratically in the area of Main Street and Sugar Street at about 11:19 pm July 25. Officers were dispatched and stopped the vehicle. Following an on scene investigation, Michael Kraminsky, 21, of Newtown, was arrested and charged with traveling too fast for conditions and illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

He was released on a $3,000 bond with a court date of August 11 in Danbury Superior Court.

Uninsured, Unregistered, Unlicensed

Newtown Police report that officers performed a traffic stop on a vehicle with a stolen license plate affixed to it on July 26. Further investigation showed the vehicle was not insured or registered. The operator of the vehicle, Cristian Ortiz, 27, of Stratford, was charged with theft of license plates, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, and operation without insurance.

Ortiz is scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on August 11.

Threatening Charge

Newtown Police report Maurizio Marcella, 47, of Shelton, turned himself in to Newtown Police Department on an active warrant for his arrest on July 27. Marcella was arrested and charged with second-degree threatening.

He was released on a promise to appear with a court date of July 28.

Suspended License, DUI Charge

Newtown Police report that Clare Coughlin, 41, of Monroe, turned herself in to Newtown Police Department on an active warrant for her arrest on July 29. Coughlin was arrested and charged with illegal operation of a motor vehicle second offense, and illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence third offense.

Coughlin was released on a $25,000 bond with a court date of August 12 in Danbury Superior Court.

Officers then determined that Coughlin had operated a vehicle to the police department while she had a suspended license. She was arrested for illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under suspension — second offense. She was released on a $5,000 cash bond with a court date of August 13.

Box Truck Hit Bridge

Newtown Police report Cedrick Diambu, 40, operating a 2018 International 4000, was traveling eastbound on Botsford Hill Road approaching the bridge just past Swamp Road at 8:03 am July 29. The top of the box truck struck the underside of the bridge.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed.

Diambu was issued a verbal warning for failure to obey height restrictions.

Arrest Following Altercation

Newtown Police report that on July 30, officers responded to a residence for a reported physical altercation. Both parties involved fled the scene prior to police arrival. The victim returned shortly after, and police then identified the suspect as Peter Mihok, 28, of Newtown. Police searched the area with the assistance of Bethel Police Department’s K9 unit as well as the Newtown Police Department drone unit. Mihok was eventually arrested and charged with second-degree breach of peace, first-degree unlawful restraint, and second-degree strangulation/suffocation.

Mihok was held on a $25,000 bond with a court date of August 3 in Danbury Superior Court.

Two Driveway Exits Lead To Collision

Newtown Police report Laura Mayer, 68, of Newtown, operating a 2016 Ford Fusion, was exiting a driveway on South Main Street, turning left, at 1:32 pm July 30. Zuleica Melo-Carpio, 51, of Waterbury, operating a 2002 Honda CR-V, was exiting a driveway across the street, turning right. The vehicles made contact with one another.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Mayer was issued a verbal warning for failure to grant right of way from a driveway.

Stopped Short, Hit From Behind

Newtown Police report Joseph Fiddler, 37, of Ansonia, operating a 2021 Ram 1500, was traveling in the far right eastbound lane of Wasserman Way at 7:13 pm July 30. He was traveling behind a 2006 Cadillac STS operated by Kelly McLean, 49, of Newtown. McLean stopped for a red traffic light. McLean started to move and stopped short, and was rear-ended by Fiddler.

A passenger in McLean's vehicle was injured and transported to Danbury Hospital. McLean's vehicle was towed.

Fiddler was issued an infraction for following too close.

Foot Slipped Off Brake

Newtown Police report Tama Murphy, 63, of Watertown, operating a 2025 Chevrolet Trax, was traveling westbound on Church Hill Road at 3:53 pm July 31. Brenda Warren, 71, of New Milford, operating a 2024 Toyota Camry, was stopped at the red light at the intersection of Edmond Road, ahead of Murphy. Murphy said she slowed for traffic ahead but her foot slipped off the brake and she rear-ended Warren's vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Murphy was issued a verbal warning for following too close.

Four Car Collision, Back Car Evades

Newtown Police report Nicholas Sommerville, 47, of Newtown, operating a 2021 Mazda 3, was traveling southbound on South Main Street at 6:22 pm July 31. Sebastian Riera, 16, of Monroe, operating a 2026 Tesla Model Y, was leaving a driveway onto South Main Street. Riera pulled out into traffic and then stopped short. Sommerville attempted to stop but rear-ended Riera's vehicle. Sommerville was struck from behind by a 2014 Subaru Outback operated by Evan Weed, 16, of Monroe. An older model, white Honda C-RV occupied by two teenage males then rear-ended Weed's vehicle, but left the scene. Officers checked the area for the evading vehicle but were unable to locate it.

No injuries were reported. None of the vehicles were towed.

Sommerville and Weed were both issued a verbal warning for following too close.

Drug Charge

Newtown Police report that on August 1, a routine traffic stop led to the arrest of Kester Ibarra on the charges of operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, failure to obey the direction of a police officer, operating a motor vehicle without a license, failure to display license plates, and two counts of illegal possession of a controlled substance.

Ibarra was held on a $10,000 bond with a court date of August 13 in Danbury Superior Court.

Struck Curb

Newtown Police report Emily Belardinelli, 72, of Bethel, operating a 2016 Toyota Camry, was traveling westbound on Hattertown Road at 6:57 pm August 1. Belardinelli's vehicle veered off the road as she was feeling very fatigued, and she struck a curb, damaging the front tire.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed.

No enforcement action was taken.

Sexual Assault Charge

Newtown Police report Clarence Jennings, 58, of Southbury, turned himself in to Newtown Police Department on an active warrant for his arrest on August 2. He was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and fourth-degree sexual assault.

Jennings was released on a $1,000 bond with a court date of August 13 at Danbury Superior Court.

Evading Charge

Newtown Police report that following a collision at Sugar Street and Sugar Hill Road on August 2, one of the vehicles had left the scene. Following an investigation, officers identified the owner as James Galvin, 31, of Woodbury. With the assistance of Woodbury Police Department and Connecticut State Police Troop L, officers located Galvin and placed him under arrest, charging him with evading responsibility for property damage.

He was released on a $1,000 bond with a court date of August 13 in Danbury Superior Court.