Bus Hits Tow Truck

Newtown Police report Peter Sandler, 56, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2018 Blue Bird School Bus, was traveling east on the south driveway exit of 45 Main Street, and turned right out of the driveway at 8:20 am March 22. The bus hit a parked, unoccupied 2021 Ram 5500 owned by Modzelewski’s Auto and Tire Center of Danbury. The truck was not parked in a marked parking spot.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

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

Arrested On Warrant

Newtown Police report Celina Falis, 38, of Newtown, was arrested at 3:12 pm March 24 on a re-arrest warrant. She was observed traveling on Mt Pleasant Road and police initiated a traffic stop.

She was arrested and charged with illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under suspension, traveling unreasonably fast, operation of a motor vehicle without a license, and use of drug paraphernalia.

Police set a bond of $500 for the additional charges. She remained in police custody as she was unable to post bond. She was transported to Danbury Superior Court for a court date the following day.

Impersonating Officer Charge

Newtown Police report that Mordechai Halberstam, 24, of Monsey, N.Y., was observed traveling 110 miles per hour in a 65 miles per hour speed zone at 11:50 am March 26. Police say he was passing and weaving in and out of traffic in an aggressive manner.

Upon further investigation, the vehicle was outfitted with red and blue strobe lights and an operational siren.

Haberstam was arrested and charged with reckless driving, unsafe passing on the left, failure to drive in the proper lane, violation of tinted auto glass requirements, carrying a pistol without a permit, and impersonation of a police officer.

He was released on a $5,000 bail with a court date of April 11 at Danbury Superior Court.

Unlicensed, Unregistered, Uninsured

Newtown Police report that officers conducted a traffic stop on Swamp Road at 6:56 pm March 26. Brian Walsh, 38, was arrested and charged with operating with a suspended license, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, and failure to meet minimum insurance requirements.

Wash was released on a $600 bond with a court date of April 9 in Danbury Superior Court.

DUI Charge

Newtown Police report Darkone Inthiphab, 48, of Bridgeport, came to Newtown Police headquarters to turn himself in at 3 pm March 27 on an active arrest warrant related to an incident that occurred in February 2023.

Inthiphab was arrested and charged with traveling too fast for conditions, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence with a passenger under the age of 18, and failure to drive in the proper lane.

Inthiphab was released on a $3,000 bond with a court date of April 11 in Danbury Superior Court.

Hit Car Leaving Lot

Newtown Police report Juliana Behr-Prevalia, 16, of Oakville, operating a 2016 Honda Civic, was in a private parking lot at 2 Washington Avenue and attempted to enter northbound traffic on Washington Avenue at 3:02 pm March 27. Jennifer Kotkin, 49, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2013 Toyota Tacoma, was traveling northbound on Washington Avenue and stopped at the intersection of Church Hill Road. Behr-Prevalia entered traffic and made a wide turn, and the front left corner of her vehicle made contact with the rear end of Kotkin’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Behr-Prevalia was issued a written warning for failure to grant right of way at a private road or driveway.