Collision At Flag Pole

Newtown Police report Hassan Dakmak, 24, of Danbury, operating a 2011 Jeep Compass, was traveling westbound on Church Hill Road at 3:57 pm July 27. Max Novak, 32, of Newtown, operating a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, was traveling southbound on Main Street. Police say Dakmak was traveling straight through the intersection when the front of his vehicle struck the rear left side of Novak’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Dakmak’s vehicle was towed.

Dakmak was issued a written warning for failure to grant right of way at an intersection and operating a motor vehicle while registration is suspended.

Altercation At Diner

Newtown Police report that at 1:49 am August 15, officers were dispatched to the Blue Colony Diner on the report of a physical altercation. Upon arrival, officers spoke to the victim, who stated a man had caused the fight and left the scene. Officers located Marlos Paz, 48, of Southbury, in front of St Rose of Lima Church, and upon further investigation, placed him under arrest and transported him to Newtown Police headquarters.

Paz was charged with second-degree breach of peace and held on a $1,000 cash bond with a court date later that day in Danbury Superior Court.

Attempted Burglary

Newtown Police responded to a residence on Shepaug Road at 1:51 pm August 16 for a reported burglary in progress. While searching the area, police located Damian Ward, 43, of Brooklyn, N.Y., and after a brief investigation, arrested Ward and charged him with third-degree attempted burglary and third-degree criminal trespass.

Ward was held on a $25,000 bond with a court date of August 17 in Danbury Superior Court.

Hit During U-Turn

Newtown Police report Kristin Heald, 26, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2009 Honda Civic, was stopped in traffic westbound on Hawleyville Road at 8:24 pm August 16. Kenneth Kopsco, 80, of Newtown, operating a 2002 Volkswagen Passat, was traveling eastbound on Hawleyville Road. Police say Heald turned left into the eastbound travel lane and was facing north, attempting to perform a U-turn when the front of Kopsco’s vehicle struck the front passenger’s side of Heald’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Both vehicles were towed.

Heald was issued an infraction for failure to drive in the proper lane and operating a motor vehicle without insurance.

Larceny Charge

On August 17, at approximately 2:34 pm, Newtown Police were dispatched to Stop & Shop for a reported theft. After a brief investigation, police arrested Tefta Ferko, 44, of Monroe, on the charges of sixth-degree larceny and possession of a controlled substance — first offense. She was released on a $400 bond with a court date of August 31 in Danbury Superior Court.

Failure To Obey Stop Sign

Newtown Police report Matthew Biondi, 19, of Newtown, operating a 2010 Honda Fit, was stopped at a stop sign at Church Hill Road and Main Street. Daniel Reilly, 27, of Newtown, operating a 2019 GMC Terrain, was traveling southbound on Main Street towards the intersection. An uninvolved vehicle was stopped waiting to turn onto Church Hill Road, and Reilly was one of several vehicles passing that vehicle on the right. Biondi began to take a left turn onto Main Street, and said he did not see Reilly passing the other vehicle, and the front end of Biondi’s vehicle hit the driver’s side of Reilly’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Biondi was issued a verbal warning for failure to obey a stop sign.

Hit Cargo Carrier

Newtown Police report John Callahan, 36, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2018 Ram 1500, was traveling southbound on Mt Pleasant Road at 8:55 pm August 17. Raymond Irrera, 56, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek, hauling an extended cargo carrier, was traveling southbound on Mt Pleasant Road ahead of Callahan. Police say the front of Callahan’s vehicle struck the cargo carrier and rear of Irrera’s vehicle.

Irrera was transported to Danbury Hospital with possible injuries. Irrera’s vehicle was towed due to disabling damage.

Callahan was issued an infraction for following too closely.

Backed Into Car

Newtown Police report that Robert Nardini, 74, of Newtown, operating a 2007 Jeep Patriot, was backing out of a parking space in the parking lot of 20 Church Hill Road. Mary Grasso, 51, of Sandy Hook, was traveling in the parking lot, approaching the Church Hill Road exit to the parking lot. Police say Nardini’s vehicle made contact with the front passenger’s side fender of Grasso’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

No enforcement action was taken since the incident occurred on private property.

DUI Charge

Newtown Police arrested Angel Pelaez, 50, of Danbury, at 10:30 pm August 20 on the charges of illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under suspension, illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and failure to drive in the proper lane. Upon further investigation, he was later charged with second-degree failure to appear. He was released on a $2,500 bond with a court date of September 1 in Danbury Superior Court.

Highway Crash

Connecticut State Police report Da Silva Mendes, 28, of Waterbury, operating a 2011 Nissan Rogue, was traveling on Interstate 84 East, approximately 500 feet west of Exit 11, at 12:46 pm August 21. April Paige-Coutts, 48, of Brookfield, operating a 2018 Dodge Durango, was traveling directly behind Mendes. Troopers say Mendes slowed for congested traffic and Paige-Coutts was unable to stop in time, rear-ending Mendes’ vehicle.

Both drivers were transported to Danbury Hospital for suspected minor injuries. Both vehicles were towed.

Paige-Coutts was issued an infraction for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart.

Intersection Collision

Newtown Police report Cormac O’Malley, 81, of Stonington, operating a 2018 Subaru Legacy, was traveling westbound on Church Hill Road and stopped at the intersection with Main Street to make a left turn. Silva Herrera, 33, of Newtown, operating a 2019 Mazda Grand Touring, was traveling northbound on Main Street, through the intersection with Church Hill Road. Police say O’Malley began his left turn directly in front of Herrera, and the front of Herrera’s vehicle struck the rear driver’s side of O’Malley’s.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

O’Malley was issued a written warning for failure to grant right of way at a stop sign.

Unregistered, Uninsured Vehicle

Newtown Police arrested Nicholas Tripodi, 29, of Sharon, at 6:55 pm August 22, on the charges of operation of an unregistered motor vehicle, improper use of marker plates, and illegal operation of a motor vehicle without proper insurance.

He was released on a promise to appear with a court date of September 5 in Danbury Superior Court.