Simm Lane Crash

Newtown Police responded to the intersection of Simm Lane and South Main Street at about 7:26 pm on January 23 after a reported two-car collision. Upon investigating, police said George Anthony Mohigel, 17, of Newtown was operating a 1999 Honda Accord northbound on South Main Street, when a vehicle in front of him made a right turn into Simm Lane. At the same time, a 2013 Honda CR-V operated by Gonzaga Brennda Cruz, 23, of Monroe turned from Simm Lane southward onto South Main Street in front of the Accord and was struck on the front driver side, causing sufficient damage that the Accord had to be towed from the scene. Cruz was subsequently issued an infraction for operating without a license.

Unsafe Movement

On January 24 at about 7:28 am State Troopers were called to investigate a minor collision at the Exit 11 on ramp to Interstate 84 in Newtown. According to the report, Leandro Jucelly Franco-Ferreira, 33, of Waterbury was operating a 2008 Ford Escape in heavy traffic when the vehicle rolled forward, making contact with the rear of a 2009 Suzuki Sx4 operated by Wendy Feliciano, 48, of Waterbury. No injuries occurred, and both vehicles were drivable. The operator of the Ford was issued a written warning for Making an Unsafe Movement from a Stopped Position.

Gas Station DUI

On January 25 at 8:06 pm, Newtown Police were notified that a suspected intoxicated male was seen drinking from a liquor bottle while behind the wheel of a blue Mercury Mountaineer while parked at a gas station at 67 Church Hill Road. Once on scene, officers investigated and charged Jared C. Bradley, 44, of Sandy Hook, with DUI after they report detecting the smell of alcoholic beverage on his breath, and after he failed a field sobriety test. After booking, he was released on a written promise to appear in court on February 7.

Highway DUI

State Police initiated a traffic stop on January 27 at about 2:37 am between Exit 10 and 11 on Interstate 84 eastbound, after observing a very slow moving vehicle. After speaking with the operator, Chastity Mercado, 42, of Newtown, the sergeant making the stop observed several clues leading him to believe she was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, another responding trooper administered standard field sobriety tests, and the operator was arrested and charged with Operating Under Suspension, Operating at Too Slow a Speed, Failure to drive in the Proper Lane, and Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs. She was processed and released on a $500 nonsurety bond and issued a court appearance date of February 8 in Danbury.

Electronic Stalking

On January 27 at 9:19 pm, Alexander Vladimirovich Nechaev, 41, of Newtown, came to the Newtown Police Department and turned himself in after learning of an outstanding warrant, stemming from a complaint of electronic stalking. He was charged with that offense and issued a court appearance on January 30.

Witnesses Sought

Police report they are investigating an accident that occurred about 12:22 pm on January 28 near an intersection of Mount Pleasant Road and Tory Lane.

The collision involved motorist Xikun Tian, 48, of Queens, N.Y., who was driving a 2017 Toyota RAV-4 SUV, and motorist Julia Azucena Rivera Collaguazo, 48, of Danbury, who was driving a 2002 Honda Civic, police said. Police provided no details on what occurred.

Police ask anyone with knowledge of the crash to contact investigating Officer Charles Guernsey at the police station at 203-426-5841.

Possession Charges

Following a traffic stop for a violation at the intersection of South Main Street and Mile Hill Road South at 10:28 pm on January 28, Newtown Police charged Christopher Lavandier, 19, of Bridgeport, with possessing more than 0.5 oz of marijuana. Police say a passenger in his vehicle, Mildredlee Casey Lasalle, 19, was issued an infraction for possession of less than 0.5 oz of marijuana. Lavandier was released on a written promise to appear in court on February 12.

VW Into Stream

Motorist Kurt Zimmermannn, 38, of Shelton was driving a 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle auto eastward on Hi Barlow Road and was approaching its intersection with Hattertown Road about 12:48 pm on January 29, when he drove off the roadway, and the vehicle landed upside down in a stream, police said.

Zimmerman climbed out of the auto before police arrived. He declined medical attention for minor cuts.

After investigating, police charged Zimmermann with driving with a suspended license and with making a restricted turn. Zimmerman is scheduled to appear in court on February 13.

Traveling Too Fast

After a reported one-car collision near 77 Flat Swamp Road January 29 at about 6 pm, police responded and report that Luis Fernando Gavilanes-Sanchez, 51, of Newtown was traveling northward on Flat Swamp Road when he failed to negotiate a curve on the slush-covered roadway. The 2005 Jeep Liberty Sport he was operating slid off the northbound side of the road, struck a metal reflector post, continued over stone pavers at a residence, struck two other reflector posts and a split rail fence before coming to rest. The operator was not injured but was issued an infraction for Traveling Too Fast For Conditions.

Two MV Charges

Police said they conducted a traffic stop of motorist Bionca Flynn, 20, of Danbury about 1:42 pm on January 30, near the intersection of Berkshire Road and Pole Bridge Road in Sandy Hook. After investigating, police charged Flynn with failure to display a marker plate and with driving under suspension. Flynn is scheduled to appear in court on February 13.

Multiple Charges

Police said they stopped motorist Mark Westerback, 45, of Sandy Hook at the Mobil gas station on Church Hill Road at about 2 pm on January 31, after determining that the marker plate on the vehicle that he was driving did not match that vehicle.

Police charged Westerback with misuse of marker plates, driving with a suspended license, failure to have automotive insurance, driving an unregistered vehicle, and possession of less than one-half ounce of marijuana.

Police said a records check indicated there to be a pending arrest warrant against Westerback in connection with a past incident in Greenwich. Police additionally charged him with second-degree failure to appear in court. Westerback was released on a total $3,500 bail for a February 13 court appearance in Danbury on the five local charges, and also a February 20 court appearance in Stamford on the case stemming from the Greenwich incident.

Warrant

Police report that after learning that they held a warrant for his arrest, Jerome Kozera, 65, of Sandy Hook went to the police station on the night of February 1 and was charged with sixth-degree larceny and with third-degree criminal mischief.

The charges follow an investigation into a complaint which police received on January 8 concerning an incident that had occurred in the Underhill Road neighborhood in Riverside. After processing, Kozera was released from police custody on a written promise to appear in court on February 14.

Toyota Hits Volvo

At about 5:19 pm on February 1 near 85 Sugar Street, westbound motorist Jessica Gibson, 38, of Newtown, who was driving a 2015 Volvo XC-60 SUV, stopped for traffic conditions and was then struck from behind by motorist William Taylor, 82, of Newtown, who was driving a 2006 Toyota Avalon sedan, police said.

There were no injuries. Police verbally warned Taylor for following too closely.

DUI Incident

Police report that while on patrol seeking drunken drivers, they stopped motorist Frank Tobitsch, 59, of Brewster, N.Y., on Toddy Hill Road, near Clearview Drive, about 12:30 am on February 3 to investigate.

Police charged Tobitsch with driving under the influence and with traveling unreasonably fast. Following arrest processing, police released him on $60 bail for a February 14 appearance in Connecticut Superior Court in Danbury.

Toyota Crash

About 1:17 am on February 5, motorist Arelis Javier-Camao, 24, of Bridgeport was driving a 2009 Toyota Corolla sedan northward on Hattertown Road, when the vehicle went off the right road shoulder, spun about, and struck the curbside mailbox at 99 Hattertown Road, police said.

There were no injuries. After investigating, police charged Javier-Camacho with driving with a suspended license, misuse of marker plates, failure to have automotive insurance, and driving with unsafe tires. She is scheduled to appear in court on February 20.

Mountain Bike

Police report that early on the morning of February 5, they found a mountain bike at the side of the road at the intersection of Cherry Street and Miya Lane in Sandy Hook. Police are holding the bicycle for safekeeping. Police ask the bike’s owner to contact Officer Fernando Pereira at the police station regarding Case #2019-3205. The telephone number is 203-426-5841.