Sobriety Checkpoint Nets Two Motorists On DUI Charges

During a sobriety checkpoint conducted on the night of Friday, December 16, and early morning hours of Saturday, December 17, town police issued enforcement to 36 people, including two arrests for alleged drunken driving, and also issued some infractions for drug-related charges.

Initially, the checkpoint was set up on Wasserman Way at its intersection of Trades Lane. Later, police moved the checkpoint to Hawleyville Road at its intersection of Covered Bridge Rd.

During the course of the event, police interviewed hundreds of motorists to learn whether they were driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Police said they made two checkpoint-related arrests on DUI charges while the event was staged on Hawleyville Road.

Police report that at about 11:42 pm on December 16, they stopped motorist Susan Loschiavo, 56, of Danbury on Mt Pleasant Road, near Hawleyville Road, to investigate. Loschiavo was charged with driving under the influence and with making a restricted turn, police said.

After posting $100 bail, she was released for a January 4 court appearance, police said.

About  half an hour later at 12:11 am on December 17, police said they stopped motorist Gary Werbeck, 60, of 28 Flat Swamp Road on Hawleyville Road, near Mt Pleasant Road. Police said that after investigating, they charged Werbeck with driving under the influence.

After processing, Werbeck was released on $100 bail for a January 5 court appearance, police said.

Also, in connection with the checkpoint, police said they issued infractions to two men on alleged drug violations.

Police said they charged Kurt Vinci, 19, of 24 Rock Ridge Road, and Jeffrey Spencer, 20, of 24 Sugar Lane, each with possession of less than four ounces of marijuana and with possession of drug paraphernalia.