Multiple Newtown Police Cases Include Weapon Seizure And Domestic Dispute

NEWTOWN, CT — Newtown police handled a series of incidents last week, including a traffic stop that led to the discovery of a weapon, a domestic disturbance involving a local resident, and multiple motor vehicle violations that resulted in citations and court summonses.

Two Newtown Men Face Charges in Separate Vehicle and Domestic Incidents

Two men face charges in unrelated cases involving a domestic disturbance and motor vehicle violations, according to the Newtown Police Department.

Officers responded to a residence on Ferris Road around 10:10 a.m. on July 27, where Robert A. Gertsch, 54, was taken into custody following a domestic incident. He was charged with disorderly conduct and interfering with an emergency call. Gertsch was scheduled to appear in court on July 28.

In a separate incident, police stopped a vehicle near Washington Avenue and Pearl Street around 8:49 p.m. on July 26 and identified the driver as 28-year-old Moises Galeas of New Haven. Galeas was cited for multiple motor vehicle violations, including operating an unregistered motor vehicle, driving without insurance, misuse of registration, improper rear marker lamps, and driving with a suspended license. He was also charged with illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle. He is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 5.

Weapon Found in Vehicle During Traffic Stop on Washington Avenue in Newtown

A routine traffic stop on Washington Avenue near Pearl Street resulted in multiple charges for a New Haven man after police discovered a realistic BB pistol and several motor vehicle violations, according to the Newtown Police Department.

The stop occurred around 8:49 p.m. on July 26 when a Newtown officer observed a vehicle committing several violations. During an inventory search of the vehicle, officers found a BB pistol in a holster inside the unsecured center console. The pistol closely resembled a Glock 19 handgun, with similar markings and controls, and lacked distinguishing features such as an orange barrel tip.

Police identified the driver as Moises Galeas, 28, of Spring Street in New Haven. Galeas was taken to Newtown Police Headquarters and later charged with the following offenses:

• Illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle
• Operating a motor vehicle under suspension
• Misuse of marker or registration plates
• Operating without minimum required insurance
• Operating an unregistered motor vehicle
• Improper rear/marker lamps

Galeas was released after posting 7 percent of a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on Aug. 5.

Rear-End Collision on South Main Street Results in Verbal Warning

A two-vehicle collision on South Main Street near the intersection with Elm Drive on July 25 resulted in minor damage but no injuries, according to the Newtown Police Department.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:22 p.m. when a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta, driven by Jonathan Giovanni Meneses of Newtown, struck the rear of a 2010 Lexus ES 350 operated by Ram Talreja of Danbury. Both vehicles were traveling southbound at the time of the collision.

Neither vehicle required towing, and no injuries were reported. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts, and no airbags were deployed.

Following the investigation, Meneses received a verbal warning for following too closely.

Two-Vehicle Crash on Mt. Pleasant Road Results in Written Warning

A two-vehicle crash on Mt. Pleasant Road near Sawmill Road resulted in minor damage and a written warning for one driver, according to the Newtown Police Department.

The incident occurred around 4:27 p.m. on July 24 when a 2020 BMW driven by Kevin F. Doyle of Wurtsboro, NY, was traveling northbound on Mt. Pleasant Road. As the vehicle approached traffic near Sedor Lane, it continued forward and struck the rear right bumper of a 2023 GMC Sierra that had been stopped in traffic.

The GMC was operated by Edilson Pinto-decarvalho of Bethel. Two passengers in the vehicle were also evaluated at the scene. No injuries were reported, and no one was transported to the hospital.

Both vehicles sustained minor damage but did not require towing.

Following the investigation, police issued a written warning to Doyle for following too closely.

Driver Cited After Two-Vehicle Crash Near I-84 Ramp

Two vehicles sustained disabling damage following a collision at the intersection of Hawleyville Road and the eastbound I-84 on-ramp Friday evening, according to the Newtown Police Department.

The crash occurred around 5:43 p.m. on July 25 when a 2022 Acura MDX traveling southbound on Hawleyville Road attempted to turn left onto the I-84 ramp and struck a 2010 Ford F-150 in the rear driver’s side.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene due to the extent of the damage. The drivers, identified as Ramapriya Vidhun of Southbury and Brian Christopher Bertram of New Milford, were evaluated by EMS and declined further medical attention. No injuries were reported.

Following an investigation, police issued a citation to Vidhun for failure to yield the right of way while making a left turn.

Chevy Suburban Strikes Embankment in Early Morning Botsford Hill Road Crash

A Chevrolet Suburban traveling eastbound on Botsford Hill Road left the roadway and struck an embankment early Saturday morning, causing significant damage to the vehicle but no injuries, according to the Newtown Police Department.

The crash occurred around 2:05 a.m. on July 20, approximately 200 feet east of the intersection with Swamp Road. Police said the vehicle, a 2025 Chevy Suburban owned by PV Holding Corp. of East Elmhurst, N.Y., lost control while negotiating a curve, veered off the shoulder, and collided with the embankment.

All four occupants — driver Nachman Segal, 27, of Brooklyn, and passengers Zev Zelig Weis, 18, of Brooklyn; Shia Cantor, 16, of Passaic, N.J.; and Yossi Abayev, 23, of Lakewood, N.J. — were wearing seatbelts and were not injured. Airbags deployed in both the front and side positions.

The Suburban sustained damage to the front bumper and was towed from the scene.

Following the investigation, the driver was issued a verbal warning for making a restricted turn and traveling too fast for conditions.

Teen Driver Cited After Sideswiping Two Parked Vehicles on Silver Brook Lane

A 17-year-old driver was issued a traffic citation after striking two parked vehicles on Silver Brook Lane late Thursday night, according to a Newtown Police Department accident summary.

The incident occurred around 11:54 p.m. on July 17 when a 2013 Cadillac ATS, driven by Logan Hankins of Silver Brook Lane, turned eastbound out of a driveway and sideswiped two unoccupied vehicles parked along the roadway. The vehicles — a 2018 Subaru Impreza owned by Rance Thompson of Brushy Hill Road and a 2008 Ford F-150 belonging to Kevin Martin Terifay of Sandy Hook — sustained damage and were scheduled to be privately towed.

No injuries were reported at the scene, and all involved occupants, including teen passengers, were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

Police issued an infraction to Hankins for failure to drive in the proper lane.

Driver Cited Following Two-Vehicle Collision at Hattertown and Poverty Hollow Intersection

One person was hospitalized and another cited following a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Hattertown Road and Poverty Hollow Road on July 22, according to the Newtown Police Department.

The crash occurred around 5:09 p.m. when a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, operated by Lisa M. Preepaiboon of Sandy Hook, collided with a 2015 Mini Cooper driven by Anna M. Rivera of Newtown. Both drivers reported they had stopped at their respective stop signs before proceeding through the intersection.

Police said the area was heavily congested at the time of the crash, with vehicles approaching from all four directions. Preepaiboon, who was heading north on Poverty Hollow Road, said she had the right of way and was proceeding straight onto Key Rock Road when Rivera entered the intersection from Hattertown Road and crossed in front of her, resulting in the Jeep striking the passenger side of the Mini.

Rivera told officers she believed she had the opportunity to continue through the intersection and did not anticipate the oncoming vehicle. She reported chest pain and was transported to Danbury Hospital by Newtown Ambulance for evaluation. Preepaiboon did not report any injuries.

The Mini Cooper sustained disabling damage and was towed from the scene, while the Jeep sustained minor damage and remained operable. Police issued a verbal warning to Preepaiboon for failure to grant the right of way at an intersection.

Unattended Pickup Rolls Downhill in Newtown, Injures Good Samaritan

An unoccupied pickup truck rolled downhill and struck a utility pole on Great Hill Road on the morning of July 14, resulting in minor injuries to a passerby who attempted to stop the vehicle, according to Newtown police.

The incident occurred near the intersection of Great Hill Road and Stone Fence Lane around 10:26 a.m. Police said a 2004 Ford F-250 Super Duty registered to Mucculloch Property Maintenance was parked on Stone Fence Lane without its parking brake engaged. The truck began moving westbound downhill, crossed both lanes of Great Hill Road, and struck a utility pole off the southbound shoulder before coming to a stop.

A bystander attempted to intervene and sustained minor injuries. The individual was taken to Danbury Hospital for evaluation.

Police identified Robert Walter McCulloch as the person responsible for the vehicle at the time of the incident. He received citations for operating an unregistered motor vehicle and failure to secure the parking brake.

No other vehicles were involved, and the truck did not require towing.

Driver Cited After Failing to Yield at Stop Sign in Newtown Intersection Crash

A two-vehicle collision occurred on July 19 at the intersection of Elm Drive and Sugar Street, prompting a police response but resulting in no reported injuries, according to the Newtown Police Department.

The incident happened around 2:57 p.m. when a 2021 Ram 1500, driven by Jack Cardi of Shelton, was traveling north on Elm Drive and came to a stop at the stop sign at Sugar Street. As Cardi attempted a left turn onto Sugar Street, the right front of his vehicle struck the right rear quarter panel of a 2023 Tesla Model 3 that was traveling eastbound in the left-turn-only lane, police said.

Both drivers were wearing seatbelts, and no airbag deployment occurred. No one was taken to the hospital.

Police issued Cardi a verbal warning for failure to grant the right of way at a stop sign. Both vehicles sustained minor damage and did not require towing.

South Carolina Woman Charged With Disorderly Conduct After Domestic Dispute on Russett Road

A South Carolina woman was cited for disorderly conduct following a reported domestic dispute at a residence on Russett Road in Sandy Hook, according to the Newtown Police Department.

Police said officers responded to the incident around 5:36 p.m. on July 21 and conducted an investigation at the scene. Lauren Elizabeth Leone, 25, of Summerville, SC, was charged with disorderly conduct.

Leone was released on a promise to appear and is scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on July 22. No injuries or transport to medical facilities were reported.

Newtown Police Issued Two Motor Vehicle Violations and a Protective Order Breach on July 21

Newtown police responded to four separate incidents on July 21 resulting in court summonses for offenses ranging from traffic violations to a criminal protective order violation.

Enrique Rivera, 51, of Platts Hill Road in Newtown, was taken into custody around 1:50 p.m. at 39 Sport Hill Road in Easton. He was charged with violation of a standing criminal protective order and was released on a $5,000 bond. He is also scheduled to appear in court on July 22.

At approximately 9 a.m., Daniel Scott Gmuer, 50, of New Milford, was stopped on Hanover Road and charged with several motor vehicle violations. Police cited Gmuer for improper use of a marker, license or registration; operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance; operating under suspension related to alcohol; and failure to obey a stop sign. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 31.