Found Backpack

Police are looking for the owner of a found backpack containing several dolls that was located near the intersection of Mt Nebo Road and Fieldstone Drive on December 5. The owner is asked to retrieve it in person from police headquarters at 3 Main Street.

On-Ramp Crash

State Troopers along with Newtown fire and ambulance volunteers responded to the Exit 9 eastbound on-ramp December 5 at about 1:20 pm after a reported three-vehicle crash. Upon investigation police report that a 2011 Hyundai Sonata operated by Peter Joseph Perrino, 60, and a 2006 Honda Civic operated by Erin Mulrane Qualey, 34, of Newtown were slowing or stopped for a yield sign when a 2012 Honda Civic operated by Brittany Nicole Blakeman, 17, of Oxford, struck the rear of the other Civic, pushing it into the rear of the Sonata.

Newtown ambulance responders reportedly transported Blakeman and a passenger, as well as the other Honda's driver, to a local hospital for minor injuries. Blakeman was issued an infraction for transporting a 17-year-old passenger, following too closely, and traveling too fast for conditions on the wet roadway. Her license was also temporarily suspended on scene because of the passenger restriction violation.

Exit 11 Crash

State police, and local fire and ambulance volunteers were called to the I-84 westbound on-ramp December 5 at about 3:35 pm after a reported single vehicle crash. Upon arrival, police say Sonia Giorgio, 24, of Redding was operating a 1999 Beetle westbound on the ramp when it left the roadway and struck a rock wall. The driver was transported to a local hospital for an injury, and was given a verbal warning for traveling too fast for conditions. The vehicle was towed from the scene.

Evading After Crash

A local man was arrested after police say he crashed a vehicle on Greenbriar Lane at about 1:15 am on December 3 and left the scene.

According to the report, responding officers found a vehicle being operated by Brandon Gesualdi, 22, who resides on that same street had hit a utility pole and left the vehicle at the scene. He was charged with evading responsibility/property damage, operating under the influence of drugs/alcohol, and failure to keep right on a curve, and was released on a $200 bond ahead of a December 19 court appearance.

Unlawful Restraint

On December 2 at about 8:20 pm, State Police report arresting Anthony Infantino, 29, of Brewster, N.Y., following a reported dispute in the area of Exit 11 of westbound Interstate 84. He was charged with restraint second degree, and disorderly conduct. He was unable to make a $5,000 surety bond and was transported to the Bridgeport Correctional Center pending a Danbury court appearance on December 4.

Three-Car Crash

Connecticut State Police responded to a reported three-vehicle collision at about 9:30 pm on December 1 near the Exit 9 entrance ramp to eastbound Interstate 84.

Upon arrival and investigation it was reported that a 2006 Jeep Cherokee being operated by Kenneth Okken, 56, of Vernon, N.J., and a 2011 Jeep Compass operated by Kristen Leigh Miller, 32, of Bethel were traveling eastbound when the Liberty hit the rear of the Cherokee, spinning it 180 degrees into the grass median. The Liberty spun out of control across the median striking an oncoming westbound 2012 Dodge Ram pickup being operated by Kyle Davis, 26, of Danbury.

Miller was reportedly injured and was treated by ambulance volunteers and transported to a local hospital. She was issued an infraction for following too close and a verbal warning for traveling too fast.

Improper Backing

On December 1 at about 12:12 pm, officers were called to the area of Main Street and West Street to investigate a minor traffic incident.

Upon arrival police say they observed that a Ford F150 pickup operated by Robert James Ward, 61, of Newtown had been parked facing south on South Main in front of a 2015 Honda Accord being operated by Richelle Ward, 52, of Newtown. According to the report, as the Ford backed up, its rear passenger side made contact with the driver side of the Honda causing minor damage.

Robert Ward was subsequently issued a verbal warning for improper backing.

Vehicle Break-Ins

On December 1 between 3:15 pm and 5:30 pm, Newtown police received multiple reports of vehicle break-ins, where windows were broken and purses left in plain view were taken.

Police suspect the operator of a newer model gray Nissan with tinted windows and custom rims. Anyone with information on these incidents or this vehicle is asked to contact the police at 203-426-5841.

Under Suspension

On December 1 at about 4:05 pm, officers were called to the area of Sugar Street and Baldwin Road to investigate a reported collision.

Upon arrival officers determined that Matthew Ricci, 45, of Hartford was traveling eastbound operating a 2004 Ford F150 pickup behind a 2017 Ford Focus operated by William Barber, 58, of Newtown. When the Focus was slowed for traffic it was hit from behind by the pickup, causing minor damage to both vehicles.

Ricci was then issued a misdemeanor summons for following too closely, and operating under suspension and scheduled for a December 12 court appearance.

Home Burglary

On December 1 at about 7:41 pm, Newtown officers responded to a residential burglary call at 72 Butterfield Road, which police say occurred between 7:30 and 11:30 am that morning. Some valuables were taken in that break-in.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Officer William Crone at 203-426-5841.

Commercial Operator Warned

After receiving a report of a tractor trailer incident at the intersection of Church Hill Road and Main Street at about 10:52 am on November 30, officers located a 2014 Volvo 999 commercial tractor with trailer being operated by Brian Edwards, 51, of Galway, N.Y.

Officers determined that in an attempt to turn onto southbound on Main Street, the vehicle ran off the roadway striking and reportedly knocking down a stop sign on the westbound shoulder of Church Hill.

Edwards received a verbal warning for making a restricted turn.

Pathfinder Into Pole

On November 30 at approximately 8:40 pm, Newtown officers responded to a single vehicle crash at the intersection of Jeremiah and Pole Bridge Roads.

Upon investigation, officers state that Michael W. Morgan, 18, of Monroe was operating the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder southbound on Philo Curtis Road when it traveled through a stop sign without stopping, crossed the intersection with Pole Bridge Road onto Jeremiah Road when the vehicle traveled off the roadway into a utility pole.

No injury occurred and the operator received an infraction for a stop sign violation.

Two Vehicles Towed

On November 29 at 12:46 pm, officers responded to two-vehicle collision south of the intersection of Berkshire Road and Liberty Drive. Upon arrival they found two vehicles damaged to the extent they had to be towed from the scene.

Upon investigation police report that Rebecca Marie Jeney, 36, of Danbury was operating a 2004 Toyota Highlander westbound when the vehicle struck the westbound shoulder, and overcorrected, steering across the eastbound lane and striking a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek operated by Karen Tully, 52, of Oxford. No injuries were reported.

Jeney was issued infractions for failure to maintain a lane, and making a restricted turn.

Two Vehicle Collision

Police, fire, and ambulance personnel responded to a reported two-vehicle collision at Mile Hill Road and South Main Street at 3:05 pm on November 28.

Upon investigation, police report that Madison Binck, 16, of Monroe was operating a 2008 Nissan northbound on South Main Street when the vehicle turned onto Mile Hill Road, struck a wooden planter on the median, crossed the eastbound lane of Mile Hill striking a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, and continued on coming to rest on the lawn of 49 South Main. The operator of the Chevy, Patricia Koestner, 66, of Sandy Hook and two passengers were treated at the scene by ambulance volunteers, and both vehicles were towed due to damage.

Binck was issued an infraction for making an improper turn.

Intersection Collision

Newtown officers were called to a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of South Main Street and Meadowbrook Road on November 26 at about 1:38 pm.

Upon arrival officers reported that Paul Lawrence Stone, 24, of Easton was traveling northbound on South Main in a 2006 Lexus RX400, and stopped for a traffic light at the intersection of Meadowbrook. When the light turned green the Lexus turned and crossed the path of an oncoming 2004 Ford Ranger pickup being operated southbound by George Smith, 62, of Monroe, which struck the passenger side rear door and rear tire area, damaging both vehicles. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

Stone was issued an infraction for making a restricted turn.

Possession Of Narcotic

On November 26 at about 11:37 pm, a Newtown officer on patrol noted a vehicle traveling on South Main Street with no marker plates and pulled the driver over to investigate.

The operator, Jake Depace, 20, of Bethel, was subsequently arrested for possession of narcotics/controlled substance. After processing Depace was issued a court date on December 12 and released on a promise to appear.

Fender Bender

On November 25 at about 9:55 am, officers responded to the area of the Blue Colony Diner, 66 Church Hill Road, following a report of a minor collision.

Upon arrival and investigation, police reported that Patricia Osieki, 60, of Bethel was traveling westbound on Church Hill Road in a 2011 Nissan Murano SUV when she turned across the oncoming traffic lane into the diner, striking an eastbound 2008 Nissan Altima operated by Thomas Longcoy, 24, of Newtown. Minor damage occurred and no injuries were reported.

Osiecki received a verbal warning for making a restricted turn.

DUI Arrest

After receiving a complaint of an erratic driver on Route 25 around 8:20 pm on November 24, Newtown officers responded to the area and located Stacy Xanthos, 50, of Stratford parked in the Waterfall Plaza and investigated. Officers subsequently reported she was driving while intoxicated and made an arrest.

Xanthos was processed and released on a $100 bond pending a December 7 court appearance.

Sideswiped

On November 22 at about 12:53 pm, officers responded to Wasserman Way west of the intersection of Berkshire Road after a reported minor collision.

Upon arrival police determined that Tysson Sangermano, 16, of Lincoln, R.I., was operating a 2017 Dodge Challenger westbound and attempted to change lanes, swiping the side of a 2014 Ford Expedition operated by Keira Morin Kowalczyk, 33, of Newtown. No injuries were reported.

Sangermano was issued a verbal warning for failure to drive in the proper lane.