Police Blotter: Vandalized Property, Unsecured Load Damages Car

Feb. 24: Unsecured Load Damages Car

Clifford Jefferson, 42, of Leicester, MA, and James Jordan, 62, of Poultney, VT, were traveling on Interstate 84 eastbound, east of exit 67. Jordan’s vehicle lost part of its load of steel wire, which struck Jefferson’s vehicle. No injuries were reported. The Department Of Transportation (DOT) was summoned to the scene to remove the steel. Johnson’s vehicle sustained heavy damage and was towed by Tolland Citgo. Jordan was issued a summons for failure to secure his load.

Feb. 25: DWIs and Driving Too Fast for Conditions

During the course of a motor vehicle stop on the North Wilbur Cross Highway, Author Edwards, 58, of Coventry, was suspected of being under the influence and was subsequently subjected to a series of field sobriety tests that he failed. He was charged with DWI, improper passing or speed while passing and failure to drive in the proper lane. His bond was set for $1,000. He is set to appear at Rockville Superior Court on March 14.

Thomas Benedict, 37, of 79 Tolland Stage Rd., was traveling east on Plains Road, when he lost control of the vehicle and slid right off the roadway. He struck a guardrail, and Tolland DOT was notified. There were no injuries. Tolland Citgo towed Benedict’s vehicle. Benedict was issued a written warning for traveling too fast for conditions.

At 4:40 p.m., Troop C in Tolland received a 911 call, reporting the erratic operation of a blue Saab convertible traveling westbound in the area of Exit 68. Bonnie Anderson, 50, of Charleston, MA, was stopped for failure to drive in established lane. Further investigation revealed she was intoxicated, and she was charged with DWI. Her bond was set for $1,000. She is set to appear in court on March 9.

Feb. 26: Single Car Accident, Vandalized Property, Children Fear Intoxicated Father

Kevin Keegan, 33, of 188 Metcalf Rd., struck a speed limit sign on Metcalf Road at 5 p.m., 500 feet west of Grant Hill Road. He continued on Metcalf and struck a snow bank in front of his residence, where the vehicle came to a rest. No injuries were reported. The case is under investigation.

Jay McCollum, 36, of Coventry, and Diane Brown, 37, of 258 Cider Mill Rd, had a vehicle vandalized and their property on Cider Mill Road egged. The case is under investigation.

Bonnie Anderson, 50, of Charlestown, MA, was observed driving on Merrow Road at 1:55 p.m. She was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while under suspension on Interstate 84 in Tolland. Anderson was previously arrested on Feb. 24 at 4:40 p.m. for DWI. She refused to take the required breath test, and her license was suspended for 24 hours.

At 10:34 p.m., Troop C received a 911 call from 43 Noah Lane reporting that Robert O’Connor, 45, was intoxicated and behaving irrationally, and his children were in fear of their father. It was later learned that O’Connor had been transporting his children to a friend’s house when the oldest son and his friends exited the car for their safety due to O’Connor’s erratic driving. O’Connor was evasive to police questioning and was clearly intoxicated. He was charged with 3 counts of risk of injuries to the morals of a child and disorderly conduct. His bond was set for $10,000. He was set to appear before Rockville Superior Court on Feb. 26. 

Feb. 28: Icy Conditions Cause Accidents

Guillermo Montoya, 43, of Elizabeth, NJ, was driving a Ryder truck rental was traveling on Interstate eastbound in the right lane, near exit 68. Shafi Alam, 51, of Manchester, was traveling in the center lane, while Amanda Briggs, 23, of Dighton, MA, was in the left lane. Briggs skidded on the ice-covered roadway and spun out of control, striking Alam’s and Montoya’s vehicles. No injuries were reported. AAA towed Brigg’s vehicle.

David Silva Jr., 35, of 131 Bald Hill Rd., was traveling south on Gerber Drive in a Dari Farms Ice Cream Co., Inc. vehicle. Charles Costanza, 21, of Branford, was attempting to negotiate a sweeping right curve in the roadway under icy conditions and lost control of his vehicle. His vehicle crossed the double yellow lines, sideswiping Silva’s vehicle, causing moderate damage to both vehicles. Costanzo’s vehicle was inoperable and towed by Tolland Citgo. Costanza was issued an infraction for traveling at a speed unreasonable for road conditions.

Alan Sylvia, 58, of Swansea, MA, was traveling eastbound on Interstate 84 in a T. Ryder Truck Rental trailer truck, near exit 68, when a sheet of ice broke loose from the top of his trailer. The ice struck the windshield of a State of Connecticut DOT vehicle, operated by Jason Pepin, 27, of Southington, causing the windshield to shatter. There were no injuries reported. Sylvia was found at fault for operating with an unsecured load and was issued an infraction.

The unoccupied vehicle of Donald Nickle, of Hampton, was parked in the west parking lot of the Big Y complex at Fieldstone Commons at 8:30 p.m. An unknown motor vehicle struck the right front bumper of his vehicle, causing minor damage. No witnesses or surveillance cameras captured the incident.