Stamford Man Arrested On DUI, Narcotics Charges In Darien: PD

DARIEN, CT — A 26-year-old Stamford man was arrested on driving under the influence and narcotics charges on Dec. 9 after Darien police pulled him over and allegedly found .3 grams of cocaine in his possession, according to authorities.

Arrested at about 1 a.m. on the Post Road near Hecker Avenue was Nicholas Panagiotopoulos, of Glenbrook Road.

Panagiotopoulos was allegedly spotted by a patrol officer speeding in his gray Volkswagen Jetta through a flashing red traffic light near the exit 11 ramp of I-95. The officer pulled him over, and Panagiotopoulos allegedly said he was coming from a restaurant in Norwalk.

"The officer observed that Nicholas’ eyes were glassy and bloodshot, and that the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from the interior of the vehicle," wrote Darien police in a statement. "When asked, Nicholas admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages. In the center console was a brown liquid in a cup that Nicholas admitted was an alcoholic beverage.

"As Nicholas was asked to exit the vehicle for sobriety testing, he told officers there were some narcotics in the vehicle. Nicholas stated there was some cocaine on the front passenger’s side floor.

"Nicholas was given the standardized field sobriety testing, which he failed to perform to standard. Based on the officer’s observations, Nicholas was placed under arrest. Officers searching the car incident to arrest located approximately .3 grams of cocaine in the vehicle, on the front passenger’s side floor."

At Darien police headquarters, Nicholas submitted two urine samples which were sent to the State of Connecticut Forensics Lab for analysis.

He was released after posting a $500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Dec. 19.

Image via Darien Police