Unfounded, No Charges

Newtown police were dispatched to the parking lot of 26 Church Hill Road around 5:10 am on Tuesday, July 13, for a reported private property accident.

According to the police report, Wayne Simko, no age given, of Newtown, was in the parking lot of 5 Queen Street when he stopped an officer. Simko, who was operating a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab pickup truck, asked if the police officer was responding to an incident at 26 Church Hill Road.

When the officer responded in the affirmative, Simko returned to 26 Church Hill Road.

Simko then told the police officer that the Dodge he was in had been parked, and was rocked back and forth when a 1995 Acura Integra Special Edition compact car parked next to the truck. Simko directed the officer to the driver’s side area of the truck and pointed to where he thought the damaged occurred.

The officer observed what appeared to be rust and dirt on the indicated area, and told Simko the car had not hit the truck where he indicated.

Simko then looked at the driver’s side step tube attachment to the car and found a minor surface mark. He then told the police officer that was where the Acura hit his truck. The police officer looked and found several minor surface marks in the new area Simko was indicating, but none of the surface marks had any paint transfer from the Acura, according to the report.

Simko then said he did not know exactly where the Acura struck the Dodge but knew it had happened because the truck rocked back and forth while the Acura was parking next to it.

The police officer then spoke with Elizabeth Vilchez-Gomez, of Danbury, the operator of the Acura. Vilchez-Gomez told the officer she had parked next to the truck and exited her vehicle, when the passenger of the truck, Shannon Simko, 61, of Newtown, got out of the truck and started shouting at her about hitting the Dodge.

Vilchez-Gomez said Shannon Simko got very close to her and accused Vilchez-Gomez several times of not having any insurance, based upon unknown reasons. Vilchez-Gomez told the police officer she did not feel comfortable with Shannon Simko and contacted police.

Vilchez-Gomez told the police officer she did not hit the Dodge. She did note that the truck had been parked improperly over a parking lane line and two parking lanes.

Vilchez-Gomez showed the police a photo she had taken on her cell phone, illustrating the parking of the Dodge earlier.

Vilchez-Gomez said Shannon Simko had shouted toward her to not take a picture of the Dodge while Vilchez-Gomez was photographing the scene.

While police were on the scene Shannon Simko became hostile toward them, making several accusations that about the police department and also accusing Vilchez-Gomez again of not having insurance.

The lead police officer several times directed Shannon Simko to sit in the truck so that officers could continue to investigate the claims made by Wayne Simko and Vilchez-Gomez. The officer also checked the front passenger side of the Acura for fresh damage and found none.

No charges were filed.

Verbal Warning

Newtown police report a 1995 Toyota Camry LE being operated by Eleanor Zolov, 78, of Newtown, was traveling eastbound on West Street at the intersection of Main Street shortly after 2 pm, Monday, July 26.

A 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo operated by Lucas Vergara, 23, of Newtown, was traveling eastbound on West Street directly behind the Toyota.

The Toyota had stopped at the clearly posted stop sign at the intersection of West Street and Main Street, accelerated, and then stopped again, according to the police report.

The Volkswagen did not stop in time to avoid contact with the Toyota, and the front end of the Beetle made contact with the rear bumper of the Camry.

No injuries were reported.

Vergara was given a verbal warning for failure to travel a reasonable distance apart.

Failure To Grant Right Of Way

Newtown police report a 2019 Hyundai Elantra being operated by Darlene M. O’Donoghue, 73, of Sandy Hook, was stopped at the stop sign on Pole Bridge Road at Berkshire Road around 3:20 pm, Wednesday, July 28.

At that time, a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado being operated by Raymond Persson, 49, of Rocky Mountain, Va., was traveling westbound on Berkshire Road.

The Elantra proceeded to make a left-hand turn onto Berkshire Road in the path of the Silverado. As a result, the front bumper of the Silverado collided with the rear driver’s side of the Elantra.

No injuries were reported to either driver or a passenger in the Silverado.

O’Donoghue was issued an infraction for failure to grant right of way at a stop sign.

Hydroplaning

Newtown police report Jeffrey S. Mollengarden, 23, of Brookfield, was operating a 2013 Nissan Rogue westbound on Berkshire Road around 8:47 pm, Thursday, July 29. As he approached the intersection with Zoar Road, the Rogue began to hydroplane.

When Mollengarden overcorrected, the compact SUV spun off the road and rolled over, coming to a stop on a ditch against a tree.

Mollengarden suffered minor cuts and reported pain to his left side. He was transported by Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps for evaluation.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company also responded to the call.

Minor Damage

Newtown police report Earl E. Stumpf, 57, of New Preston, operating a 2007 Terex Advance Mixer owned by Burlington Construction Company, was backing up in the parking lot of 19 Main Street around 12:51 pm, Friday, July 30.

While maneuvering the cement mixer, Stumpf struck the passenger side of a 2008 Honda Accord EX-L that was parked in that lot.

The midsize car was unoccupied at the time it was struck by the large truck. The collision caused minor damage to the passenger side of the Honda.

One-Vehicle Crash

Newtown police report Barrett L. Spore, 58, of Robesonia, Penn., was operating a 2007 Ford Focus compact car northbound on Great Ring Road around 8:47 pm, Friday, July 30.

Spore failed to negotiate a right curve in the roadway near its intersection with Erin Lane. The Focus continued straight, crossing the southbound lane of Great Ring Road, then traveling off the southbound side of the roadway, not stopping until the front end and driver’s side struck a rock wall and several small trees.

Spore sustained a laceration to his face and reported back pain. He was transported by Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps to the hospital for evaluation.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue also responded to the crash, which temporarily closed the road.

Spore was given a verbal warning for failure to maintain a proper lane.

Following Too Close

Newtown police report a 2005 Ford Excursion SUV being operated by Luis Bonilla-Martinez, 50, of Bridgeport, was traveling northbound on South Main Street near its intersection with Greenbriar Lane around 4:26 pm, Monday, August 2.

The Excursion struck the rear passenger side of a 2019 Ram Longhorn full-size pickup truck that was stopped in traffic, waiting to make a left turn onto the driveway of 94 South Main Street.

No injuries were reported at the scene.

Bonilla-Martinez was given a verbal warning for following too closely resulting in an accident.

Two Charges

Newtown police responded to the area of Berkshire Road and Toddy Hill Road around 9:40 am, Wednesday, August 4, after receiving a report of an unconscious person in a motor vehicle.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps were also dispatched on the call.

Following an investigation, police arrested Heidi Pedwano, 40, of Newtown, for driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and for improper parking.

Pedwano was transported to and processed at Newtown Police Department. She was released from custody after posting 10% of the $500 bond.

She was given an August 18 court date at Danbury Superior Court.

Outstanding Warrant Arrest

On August 2, Newtown police arrested Danny Booth, 67, of Sandy Hook, on an outstanding warrant stemming from an investigation into an assault that occurred on April 15, 2021.

After processing, Booth was charged with one count of assault-third degree, a misdemeanor.

He was released on a written promise to appear at Danbury Superior Court the following day. The court is awaiting a plea, and the case was referred to a family relations officer.

Booth’s next court date is September 16 at Danbury Superior Court.

Church Hill Collision

Newtown police report a 2015 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited compact SUV being operated by Tyler Gaynor, 21, of Sandy Hook, was stopped westbound on Church Hill Road around 12:42 pm, Wednesday, August 4.

The Subaru was behind a 2018 Nissan NV200 2.5s being operated by Michael Vanasse, 55, of Newtown.

The Subaru accelerated into the rear of the Nissan, causing that vehicle to then to strike a 2012 Volvo Xc60 3.2 compact SUV, which was stopped in front of the Nissan. The Volvo was being operated by Meghan O’Rourke, 19, of Sandy Hook.

No injuries were reported.

Gaynor received a written warning for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart.

Surrendered On Warrant

Newtown police report Christie M. Caruso, 34, of Sandy Hook, turned herself in at Newtown Police Department around 8 am, Thursday, August 5, after learning of an active warrant for her arrest.

Caruso had been involved in a motor vehicle evading accident in Newtown on July 1, 2018. She had failed to go to court following that incident.

She was charged on August 5 with failure to appear, second degree.

She was unable to post the $10,000 bond and was therefore transported to Danbury Superior Court.

Protective Order Violation

Newtown police were dispatched to a Sandy Hook residence around 10:40 pm, Thursday, August 5.

Upon arrival, they found Daniel Heald, 28, of Brookfield standing outside the residence. Police determined that there was a protective order in place stating Heald was not allowed near the residence.

Heald was placed under arrest and transported to Newtown Police Department, where he was processed.

He was charged with violation of a protective order, a Class D felony. He was released on a written promise to appear at Danbury Superior Court the following day.

On August 6, he was released from custody and given a September 14 date in Danbury, where he will be asked to enter a plea.

Failure To Maintain Lane

Newtown police report Michael F. Carrafiello, Jr, 28, of Newtown, was operating a 2011 Saab 9-3 2.0t sedan westbound on Sugar Street (Route 302) around 7:26 am, Saturday, August 7.

At a point south of Sugar Hill Road, Carrafiello veered right, off the roadway, to avoid an unknown animal that had suddenly entered the road, he told police.

Carrafiello was unable to regain control of the car; the Saab continued off the west side of the street and struck a Frontier utility pole.

The crash closed both lanes of traffic. The road remained closed to through-traffic until a crew was able to respond and replace the broken pole.

Carrafiello was evaluated by Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps personnel for suspected minor injury. He did not go to the hospital.

Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire also responded to the crash.

The Saab sustained disabling damage and was towed from the scene.

Carrafiello was issued an infraction for failure to maintain lane.

Restricted Turn

Newtown police report a 2020 Jeep Wrangler being operated by Rebecca L. Jones, 26, of Fort Edward, N.Y., was traveling eastbound on Plumtrees Road near Wildcat Road around 3:11 pm, Saturday, August 7.

Tire marks going off the eastbound shoulder of Plumtrees led to a damaged pole off that shoulder. The passenger side of the Wrangler was also damaged, according to the police report.

The Jeep was facing westbound on Plumtrees Road when police arrived on the scene.

Jones told police she did not remember the crash. She was transported to the hospital by Stony Hill Volunteer Ambulance for possible injuries.

Jones was issued an infraction for making a restricted turn.

Two Charges

Newtown police responded to a home in Sandy Hook on Monday, August 8, around 6:51 pm, following a report of a domestic disturbance.

Upon arrival, officers spoke to all parties involved to determine what had transpired.

Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps also responded.

John Willmott, 53, of Sandy Hook was arrested and charged with assault-third degree, a Class A misdemeanor; and disorderly conduct, a Class C misdemeanor.

Willmott was then held on a $10,000 bond ahead of an August 10 appearance at Danbury Superior Court. Following that appearance, Willmott is now scheduled to return to court August 27, when he is expected to enter a plea.

Disorderly Conduct

Newtown police report that on August 9, Anthony Barnett, 57, of Newtown, turned himself in at Newtown Police Department for a warrant service regarding an incident that occurred on July 4, 2021.

Barnett was taken into custody and processed for one violation of disorderly conduct, a Class C misdemeanor. Barnett was then issued conditions of release and released on a promise to appear with a same day Danbury Superior Court date.

Following his August 9 appearance in court, Barnett was given a September 21 date in Danbury. The case is awaiting disposition.