Park Vandalism, Truck Takes Down Utility Pole, Break-Ins Near Waveny

Truck Takes Down Utility Pole, Leaves Scene

On April 1 at 6:43 p.m. police received a call from a witness who reported an accident on Talmadge Hill Road near South Ave. The witness said she was traveling westbound and saw a truck traveling eastbound partially in her lane. The truck swerved to avoid hitting her. After the truck passed her she heard a loud noise and looked into her rear view mirror. She saw wires down and a utility pole leaning against the truck. The car continued to drive eastbound.

The witness reported seeing the word “automobiles” on the side of the truck. New Canaan police radioed the information to area departments and Darien police stopped a vehicle fitting the description on the southbound entrance ramp to I-95. The truck had damage to the right side.

New Canaan police charged the driver, Juan C. Silva, 47, of Tampa FL, with evading responsibility and failure to drive right. The trailer truck he was driving was registered to Classic Car Transportation Group of Pompano Beach, FL. Silva told police he had made a delivery in New Canaan earlier in the day.

Police determined the downed wires and utility pole presented a danger to pedestrians and vehicles and they closed Talmadge Hill Road between Lampham and South Ave. for several hours for repairs. New Canaan CERT volunteers relieved police officers and managed the traffic detours while repairs were made, 

Silva’s bond was initially set at $10,000, but the regional bail commissioner changed it to a promise to appear. Silva has a court date of April 15. CL&P estimates damage at $100,000.

 Larcenies in Waveny Park

 On April 3, at approximately 4 p.m., police received complaints from three women about two vehicles being broken into near Waveny Park. The vehicles were parked close to each other on Lapham Road.

The front passenger door window of a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta was smashed and a wallet containing $50 cash and assorted credit cards was taken. According to the car’s owner, a 56-year-old Stamford resident, the vehicle was locked and alarmed and the wallet was under the driver’s seat. A passenger in the car, a 52-year-old Stamford resident, said a black pocketbook with brown handles that was left on the passenger floor was also taken. The bag, valued at $100, contained $100 in cash as well as miscellaneous credit cards.

A third woman in the group, parked her 2005 Honda Civic near the Volkswagen. The owner, a 30-year-old Stamford resident said she was missing a Blackberry mobile device, Tom Tom GPS, and a dual charger. The car was unlocked.

Vandalism at Two Parks

At 1:12 p.m. on March 29, a Parks & Recreation Department employee reported to police that he had discovered graffiti at Mead and Waveny Parks. At Mead Park a clenched fist with the word ‘fight’ underneath was stenciled in yellow paint on a stone wall near the Apple Cart and also on a bathroom door. At Waveny, vandals spray painted ‘Sorry about your wall’ on the south wall of the park bathroom building, by the soccer fields. Police do not know if the two incidents are related. No estimate was given for the damage.

Narcotics Violation

At 10:33 p.m. on April 1, police responded to a medical call on Frogtown Road where a 17-year-old male had had an adverse reaction to smoking marijuana. Police said a number of youths who were at the house left once officers were called. Sgt. Carol Ogrinc said police saw remnants of marijuana that belonged to the individual, “in plain view on a table.” The young man was transported to Norwalk  hospital. He was issued a summons for a possession of less than four ounces of marijuana and is scheduled to appear in court on April 13.

Family Dispute

On the afternoon of March 31, police were called to a Cheese Spring Road residence after a verbal argument between a husband and wife escalated. Christopher Utschig, 46, of Cheese Spring Road, was charged with disorderly conduct, 2nd degree reckless endangerment and 2nd degree unlawful restraint. According to the complainant, Utschig pulled two closet doors off their hinges and threw them, slightly striking her. She was not injured. Utschig blocked her from closing the vehicle door as she attempted to get into a car to leave the property. She was eventually able to leave. Police later contacted Utschig, and lodged the charges against him. He posted $1,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in court on April 1.

Vandalism

A property maintenance worker for 128 Main St. reported to police on April 1 that he had found three separate graffiti drawings on the property. Two were in an alcove in the rear of the building, and the third was on a cement foundation adjacent to a parking lot behind the building. The complainant said he had last been on the site two weeks earlier. He reported to police that someone had called the maintenance company about graffiti the weekend of March 26, and told police the vandalism occurred sometime in the last week or two.

Warrant Service

New Canaan police served a warrant for Fairfield police on Megan Rombout, 27, of New Canaan Ave., Norwalk, after she was stopped for using a cell phone while driving. An officer saw Rombout traveling on East Ave. on the morning of March 31, and pulled her over. A license check uncovered the Fairfield warrant. Rombout was taken to police headquarters, and picked up by Fairfield police. New Canaan police have no further details about the Fairfield warrant.

Counterfeit $1 Bill

On April 2, a 27-year-old complainant reported receiving a counterfeit $1 bill in change from the the Food Emporium at 280 Elm St. 

Police said it is unusual for counterfeiters to print $1 bills.