Parking Lot Fender Bender

Newtown Police report Stewart Rosen, 64, of Bethel, operating a 2019 Toyota Camry, was backing out of a parking space in a lot on Simpson Street at 11:29 am June 20. Carmel O’Brien-Frank, 54, of Bethel, operating a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban, was also backing out of a spot in the same lot. The two vehicles collided, causing minor damage to both.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

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

Drug And Weapon Possession Charges

Newtown Police report that officers were dispatched to 67 Church Hill Road for a health and welfare check on a driver that was observed slumped over the steering wheel of a vehicle at 1:37 pm June 25. Officers arrived on scene and identified the driver as Corey Regensburger, 36, of Newtown. At the time of officers’ arrival, Regensburger was alert and pumping gas into his vehicle, and did not require any medical attention. Further investigation determined that Regensburger had narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and a large kitchen knife in his possession.

Police say Regensburger was arrested and charged with use of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance — first offense, and illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle.

He was released on a written promise to appear with a court date of July 11 in Danbury Superior Court.

Evaded Responsibility Following Sideswipe

Newtown Police report Marquest Earle, 24, of Bridgeport, operating a 2017 Ford Transit, was traveling southbound on Hanover Road at 6:20 pm June 27. At the same time, Yue Xiao, 49, of Newtown, was operating a 2011 Honda Pilot traveling northbound on Hanover Road. Earle’s vehicle sideswiped Xiao’s vehicle on a curve, and police say Earle left the scene, eventually reporting the incident to Newtown Police on June 28.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Earle was issued a verbal warning for evasion of responsibility while operating a motor vehicle.

Distraction Leads To Collision

Newtown Police report Lynae Kovacs, 17, of Danbury, operating a 2012 Mazda CX-9, was traveling eastbound on Pole Bridge Road at 11:10 pm June 28. Daniel Lantowski, 39, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2006 Volvo Xc70, was stopped at a stop sign ahead of Kovacs. Kovacs told police she was using her cell phone to change the music on the radio and when she looked up, she saw Lantowski’s vehicle stopped in front of her, applied the brakes, and the vehicle slid on the wet surface of the roadway. The front of her vehicle struck the rear of Lantowski’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Kovacs was issued an infraction for using a cell phone/handheld electronic device and following too close.

Vehicular Assault Charge

On July 5, Derek McGinnity, 19, of Newtown, turned himself in at Newtown Police Department on an outstanding warrant involving a motor vehicle crash on June 7. McGinnity was charged with second-degree assault with a motor vehicle, making a false statement, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, evading responsibility resulting in serious physical injury, and failure to drive in the proper lane. On June 7 at approximately 9:53 pm, McGinnity was reportedly the operator of a vehicle with three passengers onboard that ran into a ditch, requiring medical response for at least two of the passengers.

McGinnity was released on a $50,000 surety bond with a court date of July 20 in Danbury Superior Court.

Hit And Run Driver Sought

Newtown Police report a 2023 Toyota Rav4 owned by Espinoza Palominos was parked in a marked parking space in the lot at Big Y, 6 Queen Street, at 4:58 pm July 5. An unidentified vehicle made contact with the left rear bumper, fender and tailgate of Palominos’ vehicle, then left the area.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Newtown Police Department at 203-426-5841.

Failed To Heed Stop Sign

Newtown Police report Madalina Raut, 51, of Redding, operating a 2021 Subaru Ascent, was traveling northbound on Jordan Hill Road at 9:05 am July 7. Helena Taiule, 61, of Danbury, operating a 2012 Honda CR-V, was traveling eastbound on Berkshire Road. Police say Raut pulled onto Berkshire Road in front of Taiule, whose vehicle subsequently struck Raut’s vehicle.

Taiule was possibly injured but declined medical evaluation. Taiule’s vehicle was towed from the scene.

Raut received a verbal warning for failure to grant right-of-way at a stop sign.

Resisting Arrest

Newtown Police report Stephen Marron, 62, of Newtown, was arrested at 8 pm July 7 on the charges of illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and interfering with an officer/resisting arrest. He was released on $5,000 in bonds with a court date of July 18.

Unlicensed, Unregistered, Uninsured

Newtown Police report Carlos Mena-Pleitez, 31, of Bridgeport, was arrested at 7:30 pm July 9 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.

Hit Mailbox

Newtown Police report Ewaldo De Magalhaes, 30, of Danbury, operating a 2012 Dodge Ram, was traveling northbound on South Main Street at 10:16 pm July 9. Police say De Magalhaes crossed the centerline and drove off the road on the southbound side, where he hit a mailbox.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed.

De Magalhaes was issued an infraction for operating a motor vehicle without a license and traveling too fast for conditions.