Bridgeport Man Arrested During Traffic Stop In Norwalk: Police

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A Bridgeport man was arrested Thursday morning after a traffic stop in Norwalk, according to Norwalk police.

In a news release, Police Lt. Tomasz Podgorski said officers were conducting traffic enforcement throughout the city Thursday as part of the department's "Summer Slowdown Days" initiative, which is "aimed at curbing speeding and aggressive driving in Norwalk."

Around 7:30 a.m., an officer monitoring morning rush hour traffic along East Avenue noticed a black Tesla failed to stop for a red traffic light at the intersection of East and Hendricks avenues, Podgorski said.

The vehicle then continued onto the southbound on-ramp of Interstate 95 without stopping, according to Podgorski.

The officer stopped the Tesla and determined the driver, Kirk Thomas, 29, of Bridgeport, was operating his vehicle under the influence, Podgorski said.

Thomas was also found to be smoking cannabis while driving and had a Glock pistol in his possession, according to Podgorski.

Thomas was charged with carrying a firearm under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drug, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, failure to obey traffic control signals, operating a vehicle with illegally tinted windows and smoking/otherwise inhaling or ingesting cannabis while operating a motor vehicle.

His bond was set at $5,000 and he is scheduled to appear in court later this month. His vehicle was also towed from the area, according to Podgorski.