Police Log: Youth Buys Booze, Goes Back for More, Runs, Admits

The following arrest information was supplied by the Wilton Police Department. It does not indicate convictions.

Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010

• Anthony Grandolfo, 39, of Wilton was observed passing a standing school bus at the intersection of Route 7 and Crowne Pond Lane as it picked up children. He was released on a PTA. The Wilton Police Department would like to remind everyone that all vehicles must stop for a school bus with its red lights flashing. This includes any location, even Route 7.
• A Wiltonian lost around $50,000 in an 8-month long telephone scam. More on that story here.
• A resident was shopping at Borders and TJ Maxx in Wilton. Between the two stores, their wallet was stolen. The credit card in that wallet has since been used at a number of businesses in Norwalk and Westport to the tune of over $6,000. Police are following up, trying to obtain surveillance tapes and receipts to further the investigation.
• Jennifer Lapine, 65, of Stamford was traveling north on Route 7. Uei Lee, 73, of Wilton was traveling south and began to turn left into the entrance of the Wilton YMCA when Lapine collided with the right side of the car and pushed it into a vehicle stopped at a red light waiting to exit the YMCA. Lee was issued an infraction for failing to grant the right of way. Both Lapine and Lee were injured, though neither was life-threatening, and were transported to Norwalk Hospital.

Wednesday, Sept. 1

• The Top Sweep chimney clenaing scam reported earlier last month has come to Wilton. A resident called the police department to report that, after seeing the an article about the scam, he realized he had had the company do work on his home previously. Police are now following up to see if the work done was legal or not.

Thursday, Sept. 2

• A 17-year-old Wilton youth entered Ancona's Liquor Store and successfully purchased alcohol using his older brother's CT license. He then returned to the store five minutes later to purchase more alcohol at which time the staff realized that he was not in fact the individual on the license. The youth then fled out the back door of the store. He later confessed when interviewed at his residence and was charged with misrepresentation of age to procure alcohol and possession of alcohol by a minor. Another 17-year-old Wilton youth was cited for asking his friend, who was arrested, to purchase alcohol on his behalf. Both were released on PTAs and have Sept. 15 court dates.
• James P. Gallaher, 39, of Sea Bright, NJ was stopped for speeding. After explaining to the accused why he was stopped, it was deemed that the accused had been drinking. Field sobriety tests were conducted. The accused was placed in custody for DUI and later released on a $500 bond with a Sept. 14 court date.

Sunday, Sept. 5

• Ganimedes Barrera, 60, of Stamford was observed driving south on Route 7 and operating in an erratic manner. Upon stopping the vheicle, the operator had an odor of alcohol on their breath. They failed field sobriety tests and were placed under arrest. They were later released on a PTA with a Sept. 16 court date.
• Jeffrey Mahoney, 44, of New Haven was observed traveling on Route 7 crossing over the center lines in the curves by Deerfield Rd. Upon stopping him, police learned he had consumed alcoholic beverages prior to driving. Mahoney was unable to perform field sobriety tests and was taken into custody. He was later released on a PTA and assigned a Sept. 16 court date.

Monday, Sept. 6

• A property owner at 148 Huckleberry Drive observed a few people that he believed were fishing in a stream on his property. When he saw them, they ran away. They left a contained on his property that police are following up with for fingerprints.