Collision On Wasserman Way

Newtown Police report Fernanda Santos, 42, of Ridgefield, operating a 2019 Mercedes-Benz A220, was stopped northbound at a stop sign waiting to turn left onto Wasserman Way at 4:15 pm March 11. Lorien Body, 41, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2014 Toyota Rav4, was traveling eastbound on Wasserman Way. Santos began to turn left onto Wasserman Way when the front right bumper of her vehicle struck the rear right tire of Body’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Both vehicles were towed.

Santos was issued an infraction for operating a motor vehicle without a license and failure to grant right of way at a private road or driveway.

Arrested On Warrant

Newtown Police report that at approximately 1:15 am March 13, the department was informed by East Haven Police Department that Eric Ruiz, 26, of New Britain, was in their custody and being held on an arrest warrant from Newtown Police Department.

Newtown Police took Ruiz into custody and transported him to Newtown for processing. He was charged with second-degree criminal trespass, first-degree criminal mischief, and two counts of fourth-degree larceny for an incident that occurred in May 2022.

Ruiz was released on a $20,000 bond with a court date of March 27 in Danbury Superior Court.

Avoided One Vehicle, Hit Another

Newtown Police report Linda Villafano, 71, of Newtown, was traveling south on Mt Pleasant Road in the right lane at 8:54 am March 15. Sydney Mosa, 24, of Brookfield, was traveling south on Mt Pleasant Road in the left lane. Villafano swerved to avoid a vehicle pulling out of Saw Mill Road and entered the left lane, striking Mosa’s vehicle.

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

Villafano was issued a verbal warning for failure to drive right.

Found iPad

Newtown Police are in possession of an Apple iPad and case found in the area of Hawleyville Road and Old Hawleyville Road on March 16. The name “Gavin” with a heart symbol is on the back of the iPad and the protective case is blue.

The owner is asked to contact Newtown Police Department at 203-426-5841 to claim the iPad.

iPad Owner Sought

Newtown Police report that on the morning of March 18, an iPad was located on the side of the road in the area of Old Farm Hill and Echo Valley Roads. It may have fallen from the roof of a moving vehicle. The tablet’s owner is asked to contact Officer McCarthy at Newtown Police Department, 203-426-5841, and identify the item to retrieve it. Refer to case 240003934.

Hit Vehicle From Driveway

Newtown Police report Louis Holland, 63, of Sunrise, Fla., operating a 2007 Ford F150, was backing out of a driveway on Little Brook Lane at 9:04 am March 18. Sharon Stott, 48, of Newtown, operating a 2018 Kia Sportage, was traveling south on Little Brook Lane. Holland’s vehicle struck the left front of Stott’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Holland was issued an infraction for failure to grant right-of-way from a private driveway.

Hit And Run

Newtown Police report that a 2016 GMC Acadia was parked in the second row of the Community Center parking lot at 8 Simpson Street on March 18. Sometime between 2:45 and 3:30 pm, the vehicle was struck by an unknown vehicle. Security cameras did not pick up the incident and there were no witnesses.

Hit Parking Vehicle

Newtown Police report Michael Berko, 26, of Newtown, operating a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta, was traveling southbound on Main Street at 12:14 pm March 19. He was traveling behind a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee operated by Andrew Scoular, 60, of New Milford. Scoular slowed and was in the process of turning into the parking stalls in front of 33 Main Street when Berko steered to the right. The passenger side of Scoular’s vehicle made contact with the driver’s side of Berko’s vehicle.

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

Berko was issued a written warning for failure to travel in the proper lane.

Unsafe Backing

Newtown Police report Susan Oderwald, 59, of Newtown, operating a 2018 Subaru Impreza, was backing onto Main Street from a roadside parking spot at 43 Main Street at 10:04 am March 20. Julianne Nyitrai, 60, of Trumbull, was behind Oderwald, waiting to make a left turn onto Main Street. The rear of Oderwald’s vehicle collided with the left side of Nyitrai’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Oderwald was issued a written warning for unsafe backing.

Improper Left Turn

Newtown Police report Ordonez Salinas, 50, of Danbury, was traveling westbound on Church Hill Road and attempted to turn left into the Mobil Gas Station at 5:29 pm March 20. Lisbeth Gomes, 39, of Waterbury, was traveling eastbound on Church Hill Road in the rightmost travel lane. Salinas made the turn and the front right passenger side of his vehicle struck the front left driver’s side of Gomes’ vehicle.

Gomes was transported to Danbury Hospital for suspected injuries. Neither vehicle was towed.

Salinas was issued an infraction for making an improper left turn.

Too Fast For Conditions

Newtown Police report Adam Reagan, 46, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2014 Audi A6, was traveling in the northbound travel lane on Pole Bridge Road at 4:50 pm March 23. Reagan’s vehicle went off the road and the front of the vehicle collided with a utility pole.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed.

Reagan was issued an infraction for traveling too fast for conditions and failure to maintain lane.

Impersonation Of Officer Charge

Newtown Police arrested Mordechai Halberstam, 24, of Monsey, N.Y., at 12:10 pm March 26, on the charges of reckless driving, unsafe passing, failure to drive in the proper lane, failure to meet tinted auto glass requirements, carrying a pistol without a permit, and impersonation of a police officer.

He was released on a bond with a court date of April 11 in Danbury Superior Court.

Hit Car Leaving Driveway

Newtown Police report Kelsey Hampton, 18, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2013 Hyundai Elantra, was stopped at a stop sign preparing to turn left onto Church Hill Road at 4:09 pm March 26. Eric Ekman, 41, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis, was traveling westbound on Church Hill Road. Hampton attempted to turn left onto Church Hill Road and her vehicle struck Ekman’s.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

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

Unlicensed, Unregistered, Uninsured

Newtown Police arrested Brian Walsh, 38, of Milford, at 7:12 pm March 26, on the charges of operating an unregistered motor vehicle, illegal operation of a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, and illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under suspension.

He was released on a promise to appear with a court date of April 9.