Police Reports: Driver Almost Hits Officer, Arrested for DUI

The following information was supplied by the Monroe Police Department. No arrested person is guilty until so judged in a court of law.

DUI on Elm

A police officer handling a call was parked on the curbline on the north lane of Elm Street at around 7:41 Thursday with his strobe lights flashing. When he stepped out of his car, a '99 Toyota Camary heading south veered into the north lane and almost hit him, according to police.

The driver turned back into his own lane, struck an oncoming vehicle's quarter-panel and kept going, before he was pulled over by another officer, police said.

The driver, Antonio Lopes, 69, of Iranistan Avenue in Bridgeport, appeared confused, his eyes were bloodshot and glassy and there was the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on him, according to police.

Field sobriety tests at the scene and breath tests at headquarters determined Lopes was under the influence, police said.

Lopes was charged with DUI and failure to drive in the proper lane. Bond was set at $500 for a Nov. 14 court date.

Stolen Snow Blower

A $600 snow blower was reported stolen Saturday from the driveway of a Purdy Hill Road residence. Police said the blower is red and was last seen by the owner on Nov. 2 and discovered missing on Nov. 4.

The victim told police the snow blower was kept behind a garbage can and is heavy enough to require two people to lift it, according to the report.

Vandalism by Paintball

An orange paintball broke the screen of a second-floor window of a house on Indian Ledge Road, according to a vandalism complaint filed Thursday. Police estimate it will cost $20 to replace the screen.