Lost Control On Turn

Newtown Police report Jake Bernard, 22, of Easton, operating a 2007 BMW 328xi, was traveling northbound on South Main Street at 12:37 pm July 18. John Curtis, 37, of Watertown, operating a 2019 Nissan Altima, was traveling westbound on Peck’s Lane and stopped at the intersection of South Main Street. Police say Bernard attempted to turn east on Peck’s Lane and lost control, causing the left rear corner of his vehicle to strike the left front corner of Curtis’ vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Bernard was issued an infraction for making an improper turn.

Unsafe Backing

Newtown Police report Brian Haag, 51, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2014 Jeep Compass, was backing out of a parking space adjacent to the driveway of 45 Main Street at 9:12 am July 21. Ryan Griffiths, 26, of Newtown, operating a 2020 Volkswagen Golf, was stopped, waiting for traffic to clear, to turn right onto Main Street from the driveway exit of 45 Main Street. Haag’s vehicle made contact with Griffiths’ vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Haag was issued a verbal warning for unsafe backing.

Larceny Under Investigation

Newtown Police are investigating a larceny from Caraluzzi’s, 5 Queen Street, that occurred at approximately 2 pm July 21. Newtown Police are attempting to identify a possible suspect.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Officer Stephanie McDermott at 203-426-5841.

Too Tall

Newtown Police report Hilaire Belizaire, 48, of Monroe, operating a 2015 International 4000 Series box truck, was traveling east on Botsford Hill Road at 10:12 am July 25. Police say Belizaire attempted to drive his truck under the railroad bridge and the top of the truck, which is 12 feet, 6 inches high, struck the bridge, which is marked at 11 feet, 5 inches.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was not towed.

Belizaire was issued an infraction for failure to obey height restrictions.

Hit Stone Wall

Newtown Police report Liana Morel, 20, of Waterbury, operating a 2023 Mazda CX-30, was traveling north on Toddy Hill Road at 2:30 pm July 25. The right front tire of the vehicle struck a curb, causing Morel to lose control. Police say the vehicle crossed both lanes of traffic and struck a stone wall off the left shoulder with both tires.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed.

Morel was issued a verbal warning for failure to maintain a lane.

Passing On Right

Newtown Police report Jennifer Warner, 41, of Milford, was traveling in the northbound travel lane on South Main Street in the area of Sandhill Plaza at 4:38 pm July 25. She was traveling behind a 2001 Honda Civic operated by Jose Teixeira, 75, of Shelton. Police say Warner attempted to pass Teixeira on the right, causing the left front wheel well and bumper of her vehicle to strike the right front wheel well and bumper of Teixeira’s vehicle. Warner’s vehicle continued forward, causing additional damage to both vehicles.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Warner was issued a written warning for passing on the right.

Collision At Edmond Town Hall

Newtown Police report Isabella Gerace, 18, of Newtown, operating a 2023 Ford Bronco, was traveling north on Main Street at 8:05 pm July 25. She was traveling behind a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder operated by Melissa Gomez, 36, of Newtown. Police say Gomez began to slow down so she could wait for traffic to clear before turning left into the parking lot of Edmond Town Hall. Gerace did not stop in time, attempted to avoid the collision by swerving onto the right shoulder, but the front of her vehicle struck the rear of Gomez’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

No enforcement action is mentioned in the report.

Larceny Charge

Newtown Police arrested Michael Ottoshavett, 44, of Newtown, at 9:03 pm July 25, on the charge of sixth-degree larceny, after he turned himself in at the Newtown Police headquarters. The arrest was on a warrant in connection with an incident in 2022 in which Ottoshavett allegedly accepted payment for work that was never performed.

Ottoshavett was released on a promise to appear with a court date of August 10 in Danbury Superior Court.

Phone Found

Newtown Police Department came into possession of an Apple iPhone at 11:04 am July 28. The phone was found in the area of the Newtown Transfer Station, 199 South Main Street. The phone’s screen saver has a picture of two males on it.

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

DUI Charge

Newtown Police arrested Alejandro Hernandez, 39, of Bridgeport, at 7:25 pm July 28, on the charges of illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, failure to drive in the proper lane, and operation of a motor vehicle without a license. He was released on a $1,000 bond with a court date of August 11 in Danbury Superior Court.

Prank 911 Calls

Newtown Police arrested Kenneth Maldonado, 21, of Sandy Hook, at 2:11 pm July 30, on the charge of misuse of the emergency 911 number/making a false report. Police say Maldonado called 911 three times on July 29 after admitting to smoking marijuana and made claims to hearing a dispute in his neighborhood, which was unfounded. Maldonado contacted 911 on July 30 to report a neighbor had threatened the use of a firearm against him during a dispute. During the call, Maldonado stated he “made the whole thing up” and later told officers he “had nothing better to do.”

Maldonado was released on a promise to appear with a court date of August 15 in Danbury Superior Court.

Fugitive From Justice

Newtown Police report that at 2 am July 31, Newtown Police were performing checks of local businesses during the overnight hours and observed a parked vehicle at the Blue Colony Diner. They determined that the registered owner of the vehicle had a warrant for her arrest for embezzlement in New Mexico. Police were able to locate the owner, Shinelle Rojas, 35, of Plainville, and placed her under arrest.

Rojas was charged with being a fugitive from justice. She was held on a $150,000 bond and was scheduled for an appearance in Danbury Superior Court later that day.