Police Blotter: Police Investigate Respective Thefts of Jewelry, Gold Rosary

The following police reports are accurate as of July 21, 10:30 a.m.

7/15

Police investigate jewelry missing from Shane Drive

At 9:30 a.m., the Southbury police received a report that jewelry, an iPod and some cash was missing from a Shane Drive residence.   Police believe the items were taken at some time between Tuesday July 13 and 9 p.m. on Wednesday July 14.  Police are investigating.

7/16

'Road rage' results in breach of peace charge

A 57-year-old Southbury man was charged with breach of peace in what police described as an act of road rage.

7/17

Man charged with failure to appear

A 24-year-old Southbury man was charged with failure to appear in the second degree, stemming from an incident in October 2009.

Valuables taken from Pomperaug Woods apartment

Several items, such as sterling silver flatware and 14 karat gold rosary beads were taken from an apartment at Pomperaug Woods at 80 Heritage Rd, sometime between February and July.

Anyone with information is requested to contact officer Jaskolka at 203 264 5912.

7/18

25-year-old Sherman man charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, DUI

After observing erratic driving on I-84, around exit 14, an officer conducted a motor vehicle stop that resulted in the arrest of the driver, a 25-year-old Sherman man for driving under the influence and failure to drive in the proper lane.

The officer instructed the man to exit the vehicle to perform field sobriety tests.  When the driver complied, drug paraphernalia was visible underneath him, on his seat.  Further investigation uncovered additional drug paraphernalia.

The man was released on a $500 bond.

7/19

Teacher previously accused of sexual assault charged with failure to report

Christopher Bantz, 40 of Plainville surrendered himself to the Southbury police after learning of the warrant for his arrest for 'failure to report by a mandated reporter.'

Bantz was processed and released on a $2,500 surety bond.

Bantz, a suspended Pomperaug High School Teacher is currently accused of sexual assault in the fourth degree for inappropriate, sexual communication with an underage student.

Oxford woman dies after traffic collision

Stacey Birkmaier, 24, of 91 Towantic Hill, Oxford died after drifting into oncoming traffic on Southford Rd and colliding with two cars at 5:50 a.m.

Despite the fact that she was wearing a seatbelt and her airbag deployed, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police are asking any witnesses to contact Officer Renaldi of the Southbury police at 203 264 5912.