Burglary Case And Multiple Crashes Reported In Newtown, Police Say

NEWTOWN, CT — Police reported a series of incidents in Newtown over the past several weeks, ranging from burglary and larceny charges to multiple vehicle crashes under investigation.

Yonkers Man Charged in Newtown Burglary, Larceny Case

A Yonkers, NY, man is facing charges in connection with a burglary and attempted larceny reported in Newtown earlier this year, according to police.

Officers said the case stems from an incident reported on Jan. 31 on Charlies Circle in Sandy Hook. Following an investigation, Edgar Steven Merejildo-Beato, 25, was taken into custody on Aug. 28.

He was charged with first-degree burglary and criminal attempt at second-degree larceny.

Merejildo-Beato was held on a $100,000 bond and was scheduled to appear Aug. 29 in Danbury Superior Court.

Two Vehicles Collide on South Main Street

A two-vehicle crash on South Main Street left one vehicle with disabling damage in Newtown on Sept. 9, police said.

The collision happened around 1:23 p.m. near the intersection with Country Club Road, where a 2017 Subaru Forester driven by Claire Mignon Theune of Sandy Hook attempted to turn left from northbound South Main Street, according to police. An oncoming 2016 Buick Encore driven by Nina Isabel Henriques of Newtown was traveling south in the right lane when it struck the Subaru’s front passenger side.

Police said traffic in the left southbound lane had stopped to allow Theune to turn, but she did not yield to the Buick, which had the right of way.

No injuries were reported. The Subaru was towed from the scene due to heavy damage, while the Buick was driven away.

Theune was issued a written warning for making an improper turn

Brookfield Man Charged Following Traffic Stop in Newtown

A Brookfield man is facing multiple charges after police stopped a vehicle reported to be driving erratically on South Main Street in Newtown on Sept. 13.

Officers said they located a Jeep Wrangler traveling northbound near Swamp Road around 5:48 p.m. and conducted a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Antonio Morales, 48.

Police said Morales was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, operating an unregistered vehicle, failure to maintain lane, failure to obey a stop sign, and carrying a firearm while under the influence. In Connecticut, the legal blood alcohol content limit for driving is 0.08 percent for those 21 and older.

He was released after posting $1,000 bond and is scheduled to appear Sept. 24 in Danbury Superior Court.

Two Vehicles Back Into Each Other in Newtown Parking Lot

Two vehicles collided while backing out of spaces in a Newtown parking lot on Aug. 18, police said.

The crash occurred around 3:32 p.m. on South Main Street when a 2010 Honda Accord driven by Gregory Nava of Bridgeport backed out of a parking spot and struck the rear of a 2025 Mazda operated by Cruz Luna of Newtown, according to police.

Both vehicles sustained minor damage. No injuries were reported.

Police said the crash occurred on private property and no enforcement action was taken.

Police Investigating Report of Vehicle Damage on South Main Street

Police are investigating after a vehicle was found damaged while parked in two locations on South Main Street on Sept. 4.

The owner of a 2017 Subaru Impreza told officers he first parked in front of Club 24 at 266 South Main St. before later moving to the Stop & Shop lot at 228 South Main St. around 1:31 p.m., according to police. When he returned, he noticed damage to the passenger side of his car but was unsure at which location it occurred.

Police said there were no surveillance cameras outside Club 24. Stop & Shop security reviewed video footage, which showed no vehicles approaching or parking next to the Subaru during the time it was left unoccupied.

No paint transfer was found on the vehicle, and no other reports of damage were made in either plaza, police said.

Two Vehicles Damaged in Crash on Washington Avenue

A rear-end crash on Washington Avenue in Newtown left two vehicles damaged on Sept. 8, police said.

The collision happened around 7:48 a.m. near Crestwood Drive when a 2024 Jeep Compass driven by Peyton Dupont of Sandy Hook struck the back of a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt operated by Rafe Dagostino of Newtown, according to police.

Police said the Chevrolet sustained disabling rear damage and was towed from the scene, while the Jeep had front-end damage but was driven away.

A passenger in the Jeep reported chest pain but declined medical treatment.

Police said Dupont was issued a verbal warning for following too closely.

Truck Strikes Railroad Bridge on Botsford Hill Road

A truck struck a railroad bridge while traveling on Botsford Hill Road in Newtown on Sept. 8, police said.

The crash occurred around 9:44 a.m. when a 2019 International truck owned by Blair Logistics was heading east and its smoke stacks made contact with the Housatonic Railroad bridge near Swamp Road, according to police.

No injuries were reported, and police said there was no visible new damage to the bridge.

The driver, identified as Jamar Fagin of Fairfield, AL, was issued an infraction for failure to obey signs and markings.

Two Vehicles Collide at Berkshire Road and Bradley Lane

A two-vehicle crash was reported at the intersection of Berkshire Road and Bradley Lane in Newtown on Sept. 9, police said.

The collision occurred around 4:32 p.m. when a 2013 Ram 1500 truck driven by Wilbert Alicea of Danbury was turning left from Bradley Lane onto Berkshire Road and struck a 2018 Subaru Outback operated by Elizabeth Fabas of Sandy Hook, which was turning left from Berkshire Road onto Bradley Lane, according to police.

No injuries were reported. Both vehicles sustained damage but were driven from the scene.

Police said Alicea was issued an infraction for failure to obey a stop sign and a verbal warning for operating with an unregistered camp trailer.

Police Investigating Hit-and-Run in Newtown Apartment Lot

Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash that left a parked vehicle damaged in a Newtown apartment complex lot between Sept. 12 and Sept. 13.

The incident occurred at 9 Covered Bridge Road, where a 2025 Honda Civic owned by Nicholas Hillman was struck while parked, according to police. Hillman told officers he left his vehicle parked the evening of Sept. 12 and returned around noon the next day to find new damage.

Police said the Civic sustained dents, scuff marks, scratches, and paint transfer on its left rear quarter panel and bumper. The damage caused misalignment between the bumper and quarter panel.

No security cameras were present in the area of the crash, police said. The case remains under investigation, and if the other driver is identified, charges may be filed for evading responsibility causing property damage.

Two Vehicles Damaged in Newtown High School Parking Lot

A minor crash in the Newtown High School parking lot left two vehicles damaged on Sept. 8, police said.

The collision happened around 10:45 a.m. when a 2013 Jeep Wrangler driven by Luke Gagnon of Sandy Hook was pulling into an assigned parking space, according to police. The Jeep’s front bumper struck the front passenger-side tire area of a 2011 Subaru Legacy owned by Curtis Urbina of Sandy Hook, which was parked unoccupied in an adjacent space.

Both vehicles sustained damage. No injuries were reported.

Police said the incident occurred on private property and no enforcement action was taken.