Police Log: Blown-Up Mailbox, Lots of Pot

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

• Allan M. Graves, 58, of Newtown and Daniel B. Hayes, 39, of Bethel were involved in a case of road rage. The two were headed southbound on Route 7 near Old Mill Road. Both were angered by the other's driving habits. Hayes' vehicle was the lead vehicle in front of Graves'. Graves pulled to the left and attempted to pass Hayes at which point Hayes accelerated to block the passing maneuver. As Graves pulled back into the right lane, he struck Hayes' car. The two men were both charged with reckless driving and have July 22 court dates. Neither was injured in the accident.
• Ethan I. Tarnow, 38, of East Jewett, NY was charged with failure to respond to a ticket. Tarnow was originally charged with passing a stopped school bus. He turned himself in to police on July 13 and posted $250 bond. He has a July 23 court date.

Wednesday, July 14

• Doncel Ute Boddie, 37, of Suffolk, VA was driving on Route 7 near Gaylord Dr. with a rear tail light that was not working. Upon stopping the vehicle, the officer noticed an odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. After being questioned, Boddie admitted to having smoked marijuana previously, and to having a bag of marijuana in the car. After searching the vehicle, police found two small bags of marijuana, a pipe, and a metal crusher containing marijuana resin. Boddie was charged with possession of less than 4 oz. of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, operating without a license, and driving with a tail light out. He was released on a PTA and has a July 26 court date.
• A Wilton resident was schemed out of $9,000 when he received a call from a man in Ireland posing as a grandson who had just been imprisoned. You can read the full story here. 

Thursday, July 15

• Police received a report of a suspicious clothing bin that was placed at the corner of Route 107 and New Street by an unknown company. The bin sought people to deposit clothes for charitable purposes. Considering the odd location and the lack of information, police are looking into the organization to make sure the bin is legitimate.

Friday, July 16

• Harold R. Horn, III, 60, of Wilton was involved in a two-car MVA near the intersection of Route 7 and Westport Road. Mr. Horn's vehicle was rear-ended during the accident when he made an improper lane change and came to a quick stop. After briefly exiting the vehicle, Horn drove from the scene. The other person involved in the accident was able to obtain Horn's registration information and report it to police, who then went to Horn's residence in Wilton. At his house, Horn admitted that he had been driving the car involved in the accident. He was determined to be intoxicated at that time and failed field sobriety tests. He also admitted to police that he had marijuana and a pipe in his pocket at the time. Horn was arrested and charged with DUI, possession of less than four ounces of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, evading responsibility and making an improper turn. He was released on a PTA and has a July 29 court date.
• A resident of 39 Stonebridge Road reported hearing something outside of their home at 1:30 a.m. on July 16. After investigating, they saw a dark-colored SUV pulling out of a neighbor's driveway and then pulling into their own. They also apparently saw someone run from their mailbox and jump into the SUV, with the SUV speeding off. A short time later they heard loud bang. The next morning they discovered their mailbox was "pretty well destroyed" according to Wilton police. There was no evidence of any type of flammable device but police are investigating possible causes and leads in the case.

Saturday, July 17

• Police received a report of erratic operation on a vehicle traveling southbound on Route 7. Officers located Stephen Dean, 41, of Newington in his vehicle at the parking lot of 287 Danbury Road. Dean was sitting in the driver's seat of the stopped vehicle starting to fall asleep, had an open bottle of alcohol sitting next to him and smelled of alcohol. After failing field sobriety tests, police arrested and charged Dean with DUI, possession of less than four ounces of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and drinking while operating a motor vehicle. Dean was held on $1,000 bond and has a July 30 court date.

• Police responded to an alarm going off on River Road. They observed several youths running behind the GAP store and detained some of them, who were juveniles. The officers observed damage to benches behind the movie theatre and are following up with the youths to see if they have any involvement.

Sunday, July 18

• Thomas J. Donovan, 26, of West Dennis, Mass. was detected on radar traveling 62 mph in a 40 mph zone. Upon stopping him, police learned that Donovan had consumed alcoholic beverages prior to driving. Donovan failed field sobriety tests and was taken into custody and charged with speeding and operating under the influence. He posted a $500 bond and has a July 29 court date.

Monday, July 19

• Police responded to a report of a burglary that took place at 87 Old Ridgefield Road at a "Women at Work Network" store. The property manager at the location informed officers that unknown people had climbed into the second story window of the building and damaged windows and blinds inside. The subjects then climbed down into an outdoor enclosure and had to kcik out a door to get out. Physical evidence was collected at the scene and will be submitted for forensic examination by police. There are no known suspects, nothing was stolen and police reported only minor criminal mischief inside the store. Police also said that some items were located near where they believe the point of entry was and will be analyzed for fingerprints.