Police Reports: Strangulation and Mary Jane

Alleged Strangulation

A neighbor called police at 10:19 a.m. Tuesday to report that a husband was on top of his wife and hitting her on their front lawn, police said.

Michael Iovino Sr., 34, of Gay Bower Road was charged with breach of peace, third-degree assault and strangulation. Bond was set at $5,000 for an Aug. 31 court date.

Police said the victim told them she had gotten into an argument with her husband (Iovino), took his cell phone and left the house. When she came back a short while later, Iovino allegedly reached into the car to get his cell phone and choked his wife when she wouldn't give it back, according to the report.

When she attempted to get away from Iovino, police said he pulled her out of the car and to the ground and began choking her again.

Police said the couple's three sons were home during the incident.

Marijuana Possession

A police officer on patrol at 1:09 Wednesday morning noticed a 2008 Toyota Prius in the Hillside Plaza parking lot at 494 Main Street. No businesses had power there, so the officer drove in to talk to the driver, according to the report.

Police said the officer smelled the strong odor of marijuana while talking to the driver, Michael Hajzer, 20, of Berkshire Road in Newtown, who had an 18-year-old female passenger from Sandy Hook in the car with him.

Police said both of them admitted to smoking pot and that Hajzer handed the officer a green leafy substance in what is known as a dime bag. Hajzer also had a wooden marijuana pipe and a glass bong, according to police.

Hajzer was issued an infraction for violation of Public Act 11-71 for possession of less than a half ounce of marijuana.