Hit-and-Run, Burglary, Larceny, Garbage Truck Vs. Passenger Vehicle, Disorderly Conduct, Assault and MVA's through 1-18-15

The East Haddam Police and the Connecticut State Police, Troop K in Colchester report the following incidents:

GARBAGE TRUCK VS. PASSENGER VEHICLE - On Jan. 7 at approximately 12:40 p.m., Ronald Benziger, 50, of Main Street, Willimantic was operating a 1999 Freightliner FL-60 garbage/recycling truck, when he stopped along the roadway to back into a private driveway. Deanna Page-Donovan, 46, of West Road, Salem had stopped behind the truck, in a 2004 Volvo V-70. Police said that Benziger subsequently backed into Page-Donovan's vehicle, causing front-end damage. Benziger was issued an infraction for Unsafe Backing. No injuries were reported.

BURGLARY AND LARCENY - On Jan. 8 at approximately 3:35 p.m., East Haddam Police received a complaint from a Lake Hayward Town Road resident. Unknown person(s) had entered a garage and taken car stereo speakers and other miscellaneous items. Anyone who has information that could help police with this investigation is asked to contact Corporal Karl Karabienikoff at the East Haddam Resident Troopers' Office, at 860-891-8201.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you may leave a voice-mail on the (confidential) Crime Tip Line at 860-873-5013.

MOTOR-VEHICLE VS. UTILITY POLE - On Jan.10 at approximately 7:17 p.m., Michael Cummings, 29, of Leesville Road, Moodus was traveling northbound on Route 149 in Moodus, operating a 1997 Ford Taurus. Police said that Cummings drove off the right side of the roadway, just prior to Eli Chapman Road, striking a utility pole with the front end of his vehicle. The airbags deployed on the vehicle and it had to be towed from the scene due to damages sustained as a result of the accident. Cummings was issued an infraction for Making an Improper Turn. No injuries were reported.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND ASSAULT - On Jan.11 at approximately 5:00 a.m., State Police responded to a home on Wildwood Road in East Haddam, for a report of a boyfriend-girlfriend dispute. After investigating, police arrested David Sweet, 43, of Wildwood Road and charged him with Disorderly Conduct and 3rd-Degree Assault. Sweet was transported to Troop K, processed and held on a $1,000 bond. He was scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 1/12/15.

MOTOR-VEHICLE VS. DEER AND UTILITY POLE - On Jan. 12 at approximately 12:35 a.m., Max Schechter, 23, of Sanford's Bridge Road, East Haddam was traveling eastbound on Clark Hill Road in East Haddam, operating a 2008 Honda Accord. Police said that Schechter veered left and entered the westbound lane to avoid striking a deer, continued in a northerly direction and collided with a utility pole. No injuries were reported.

MOTOR-VEHICLE VS. TREE - On Jan. 12 at approximately 12:25 p.m., Kevin Hinton, 27, of Boulder Road, Colchester was traveling westbound on Beebe Road in East Haddam, driving a 2001 Toyota Tundra. As Hinton was reportedly trying to negotiate a slight curve in the road, he lost control of the vehicle and collided head-on into a tree, causing minor damage to the front end of his vehicle. Police said that road conditions were icy at the time. Hinton was transported to the Marlborough Emergency Clinic for evaluation as a precautionary measure. He was released later that day.

MAKING AN IMPROPER TURN - On Jan. 13 at approximately 2:08 p.m., Jessica Castro, 25, of Alger Road, East Haddam was traveling northbound on Route 151 (Town Street) in Moodus, operating a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. A 17-year-old driver, operating a 2001 Ford Mustang, was stopped at the end of School Drive, waiting to turn right onto Town Street. Police said that the 17-year-old pulled out in front of Castro's vehicle, and she was unable to stop before making contact with the juvenile's vehicle. Castro was transported to the Marlborough Emergency Clinic for precautionary evaluation. Police issued the 17-year-old a verbal warning for Making an Improper Turn.

LARCENY - On Jan. 16 at approximately 10:19 a.m., Daniel O'Mara, 25, of Berry Road, East Haddam was arrested and charged with 6th-Degree Larceny, based on an active warrant. He was processed without incident and appeared to face the charge on the same day at Middletown Superior Court.

HIT-AND-RUN - On Jan. 17 at approximately 5:13 p.m., State Police were dispatched to the Town Tavern on Town Street in East Haddam, to investigate a complaint of damage to a motor-vehicle. The victim's vehicle was a tan, 2010 Toyota Rav-4 and was left parked in the parking lot between the hours of 3:45 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Police said that the evading vehicle left a white paint transfer on the victim's vehicle, and had caused damage to the driver's side door. Anyone with possible information is asked to contact Trooper Christopher Pariseau at the Connecticut State Police, Troop K at 860-465-5400. Please reference Case # 1500-033358.

MOTOR-VEHICLE VS. TREE - On Jan. 18 at approximately 6:54 p.m., Kerri Ann St. Denis, 20, of Forest Drive, Uncasville was traveling southbound on Falls-Bashan Road in Moodus, in the area of Falls Road (Route 149) operating a 2005 Hyundai Accent. Police said that St. Denis drove off of the travel portion of the roadway and collided with a large tree. No injuries were reported, but the vehicle had to be towed from the scene.

An arrest or infraction does not indicate a conviction, and all individuals listed in these reports are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.