Norwalk Man Accused Of Trying To Drown A Woman In New Canaan: PD

NEW CANAAN, CT — A 31-year-old Norwalk man was charged with criminal attempted murder on Monday afternoon after New Canaan police said he tried to drown a woman in a river off Valley Road.

Officers were called to the 1000 block of Valley Road just after 4 p.m. on a report of a man trying to drown a woman in the river by holding her head below the water.

When officers arrived, they found the victim sitting on the ground near the river, surrounded by three people who witnessed the attack.

"Officers also found a red Honda Civic with a Connecticut license plate parked, partially blocking the driveway of 1037 Valley Road," New Canaan police said. "The vehicle had visible damage to the front left windshield. Standing to the rear of the car was Alvarado. The three witnesses identified Alvarado as the male who attempted to drown the victim."

"Alvarado" is Mynor Romeo Alvarado-Canahui, of Woodward Avenue, who, in addition to criminal attempted murder, police also charged with first-degree kidnapping and first-degree assault.

According to police, the victim was walking south on Valley Road on the northbound side of the road against oncoming traffic. She "recalled seeing Alvarado's red Honda Civic pass by her several times" and "thought that the driver of the vehicle might be lost." The woman was able to remember the first two letters of the vehicle, which helped to positively identify it as Alvarado's car.

"The victim stated that she did not know Alvarado and that she has never seen him before this incident," police said. "The victim said that while walking on Valley Road, she was struck from behind by Alvarado's vehicle. The investigation determined that Alvarado's vehicle was traveling southbound on Valley Road and crossed over the double yellow line traveling southbound in the northbound lane and struck the victim from behind as she was walking. The victim's head hit the windshield."

After striking the woman with his car, Alverado "attempted to put the victim into the rear of his vehicle, and a struggle ensued." He was not able to put the woman into his car, and instead dragged her down an embankment to the river where he attempted to drown her, police said.

"Alvarado did not release the victim until witnesses yelled at him," police said. "Subsequently, Alvarado released the victim's head from under the water and both Alverado and the victim walked up the embankment to Valley Road."

Shortly after they reached the road, responding officers arrived and took Alverado into custody.

The woman was transported to Norwalk Hospital by the New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps for evaluation.

"Given that Alvarado is in custody, and that this is an isolated, random crime, there is no threat to the New Canaan Community," police said. "We understand that this incident will cause concern, and as a result, we will intensify our patrols throughout Town to reassure our Community that New Canaan is a safe Town with a very low crime rate."

Alvarado was held in lieu of bail of $500,000 and was scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on May 26.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact New Canaan Police Sgt. Peter Condos of the New Canaan Police Investigative Section at 203-594-3522.

Additionally, any witnesses who were in the area of Valley Road or surrounding streets on May 25,
2020, between the hours of 2 p.m. and 4:15 p.m., who may have seen a red Honda Civic, also are urged to contact Sgt. Condos.

Finally, the department also asks that any residents in the area of 1037 Valley Road also contact Sgt. Condos if they have surveillance video cameras that capture portions of Valley Road.