Following Too Close

Newtown Police report W. Almeida-Depaula, 35, of New York, N.Y., operating a 2016 Peterbilt Conventional, was traveling north on Route 25 at 11:47 am June 22. He was traveling behind a 2014 Freightliner Cascadia operated by Lee Marks, 61, of Beacon Falls. Police say Marks stopped at a traffic light and Almeida-DePaula did not stop in time, striking the rear of Marks’ vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Almeida-DePaula was issued a verbal warning for following too close.

Hit Guidewires

Newtown Police report Claire Swanson, 24, of Newtown, operating a 2008 Subaru Forester, was traveling eastbound on Orchard Hill Road at 1:51 pm June 23. While negotiating a right hand curve in the roadway, which was wet from recent rainfall, police say Swanson lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road into a grassy area, before colliding with some guidewires from a utility pole. The guidewires were torn from the ground and partially off the utility pole.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was not towed.

Swanson was verbally warned for failure to maintain a proper lane and traveling too fast for conditions.

Brake Failure

Newtown Police report Jeffrey Schult, 67, of Sandy Hook, operating a 1994 Mazda B3000, was traveling in the eastbound travel lane of Berkshire Road at 12:49 pm June 24. He was traveling behind a 2014 Toyota Corolla operated by Jorge Cuapio-Rodriguez, 40, of New Haven. Police say Cuapio-Rodriguez braked to avoid an uninvolved vehicle traveling over the double yellow lines to avoid construction workers, and the front of Schult’s vehicle struck the rear of Cuapio-Rodriguez’s.

A passenger in Cuapio-Rodriguez’s vehicle reported a minor injury and was evaluated by emergency medical service personnel. Schult’s vehicle was towed due to brake failure.

Schult was issued an infraction for following too close.

Struck Pole While Passing

Newtown Police report Jonathan Roth, 36, of Brookfield, operating a 2015 Acura ILX, was traveling westbound on Church Hill Road at 7:55 pm June 24. While approaching a stopped vehicle waiting to turn left, police say Roth attempted to pass the vehicle on the right, striking the curb and then striking a utility pole in front of 29 Church Hill Road.

Roth was transported to Danbury Hospital for possible injuries. The vehicle was towed.

Roth was issued an infraction for failure to stay in the proper lane.

Bad Check Charge

Newtown Police arrested Angel Zuniga-Castro, 42, of Waterbury, at 1:40 pm June 29, on the charge of issuing a bad check with a value over $2,000. He was released on a $2,500 bond with a court date of July 11 in Danbury Superior Court. Police say the arrest stems from an investigation of a bad check complaint reported to police on March 24.

Hit And Run Driver

Newtown Police report that Cody Wolfe, 30, of Torrington, operating a Freightliner Sprinter, was stopped at the stop sign on Key Rock Road entering Sugar Street at 6:33 pm June 29. A dark-colored Nissan Rogue traveling behind did not stop, striking Wolfe’s vehicle front to rear. Police say the Nissan then left the scene, traveling westbound on Sugar Street. A witness corroborated Wolfe’s description of the other vehicle. Police were unable to locate the other vehicle.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was not towed.

Outback Hits Outback

Newtown Police report Jin Ji, 44, of Newtown, operating a 2023 Subaru Outback, was attempting to park in a space in a lot on Simpson Street at 4:09 pm June 30. An unoccupied 2017 Subaru Outback operated by Janet Frey, 89, of Middlebury, was parked in the same lot. The front right bumper of Ji’s vehicle struck the rear left bumper and wheel well of Frey’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

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

Motorcyclist Injured

Newtown Police report Travis Sloniker, 35, of Hyde Park, N.Y., operating a 2015 Harley-Davidson FXDB was traveling eastbound on Church Hill Road at 5:35 pm June 30. A non-contact vehicle passed Sloniker on the left, causing Sloniker to swerve and the bike to fall over on its right side.

Sloniker had possible serious injuries and was transported to Danbury Hospital. The vehicle was damaged and towed from the scene.

Stolen Mail

Newtown Police report that on June 30, several mailboxes were gone through and mail was stolen in the area of Russett Road and Orange Pippin Road. Anyone with a possible vehicle description or any other information regarding this is asked to contact Officer Mulhall at the Newtown Police Department by calling 203-426-5841.

Failure To Appear Charge

Newtown Police arrested Marwan Mabrouk, 18, of Waterbury, at 3:45 pm July 2, on the charge of conspiracy to commit second-degree failure to appear. He was released on a $1,000 bond with a court date of July 18 in Danbury Superior Court.

Unlicensed And Unregistered

Newtown Police arrested Sidar Reyes-Garcia, 25, of Bridgeport, at 7:20 pm July 3, on the charge of operating an unregistered motor vehicle, improper use of marker plates, and operating a motor vehicle without a license. He was released on a promise to appear with a court date of July 19.

Operating Under Suspension

Newtown Police arrested Eslin Guerra-Canaan, 23, of East Hartford, at 5:32 pm July 4, on the charges of operating an unregistered motor vehicle, improper use of marker plates, 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 July 19.