Crime & Safety

Police Reports: Burglary, Car Fire, Vandalism, Shoplifting and a DUI

Officers arrested a Torrington man whose Audi had caught fire, a mailbox was knocked off, a Purdy Hill Road house was burglarized, and an alleged shoplifter and drunk driver were arrested.

The following arrest information was supplied by the Monroe Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.

Burglary on Purdy Hill

An alarm apparently scared off a burglar Thursday afternoon, but not before electronics were stolen from a house on Purdy Hill Road, according to police.

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Police said a window in back of the house was smashed and someone reached in through the broken glass and opened a door to enter the home. Evidence — such as open drawers — showed that several rooms were searched, according to the report.

Though it is already known that a computer printer and other electronics were stolen, police said the homeowner is still doing a full inventory of her belongings to determine exactly what was taken.

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Shoplifting Arrest

Loss prevention at Big Y supermarket observed a customer concealing items in reusable bags before trying to leave the store without paying for the merchandise at around 12:22 p.m. Thursday, police said.

Loss prevention and police officers confronted the woman outside the store and she was arrested, according to the report.

Victoria Dempkowski, 55, of Fawn Hill Road in Shelton was charged with sixth-degree larceny and released on a promise to appear in court on Aug. 5.

Police said she tried to steal health and beauty products and paperback books worth a total of $141.

Vandalism

A mailbox on Elm Street was knocked off its post, according to a report filed at 11:23 a.m. Friday. Police said it occurred sometime overnight, adding there was $35 damage.

Car Fire, Arrest

A Torrington man was arrested on several motor vehicle charges Saturday night, after a passerby on Fan Hill Road reported seeing his 1998 Audi on fire near the intersection of Jockey Hollow Road at 11:30.

When officers and firefighters with the Monroe Fire Department arrived, police said the driver had already put out the fire with an extinguisher.

When an officer ran the license of Michael Bergin, 32, it was found that it was under suspension, police said, adding the license plate belonged to another vehicle and Bergin could not produce valid insurance or registration for the car he was driving.

Bergin was charged with operating a vehicle with a license under suspension, misuse of plates, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and failure to maintain minimum insurance. He was released on a promise to appear in court on Aug. 9.

Police said the car battery had started a fire in the engine compartment and that Bergin had noticed the electronics in the Audi flickering earlier.

DUI on Main

A police officer on routine patrol saw a Ford Explorer crossing over the center lane on Main Street at 1:31 Sunday morning and stopped the vehicle near the Trumbull town line, according to the report.

Police said the driver, David Palatsek, 41, of Natalie Road in Trumbull appeared to be confused when the officer asked him for his license and registration and had the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. When asked if he had been drinking that night, police said Palatsek told the officer he had one beer.

Field sobriety tests determined Palatsek was under the influence and he was arrested, police said, adding two breath tests at headquarters showed his blood alcohol level was above the legal limit.

Palatsek was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to drive in the proper lane and possession of less-than-a-half ounce of marijuana, in accordance with Public Act 11-71. He was released on $500 bond for an Aug. 5 court date.


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