MONROE, CT — Police made two DUI arrests within about an hour on Sunday.
At 4:32 p.m., officers responded to a complaint of a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on Holly Place and found a blue, unregistered Subaru Outback with a flat tire and a male driver inside, slurring his words, according to the report.
Police said the engine was still running and the windshield wipers were on in spite of the fact it was not raining.
The driver reportedly told officers he hit a curb, but police said damage to the vehicle was inconsistent with him having only struck a curb. The officers observed damage to the front bumper, passenger side fender and driver side fender.
An accident investigation later determined the Subaru Outback went off the road and struck an above-ground transformer box on the corner of Holly Place and Chimney Place, before hitting a mailbox on Holly Place.
Officers smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the driver, who admitted to drinking alcohol, police said, adding his performance on field sobriety tests determined he was under the influence and he was placed under arrest.
The 24-year-old Danbury man was charged with DUI, evading responsibility, failure to maintain the proper lane and operating an unregistered motor vehicle, then released on $500 bond for a Nov. 26 court date.
Police said he had an elevated blood alcohol level of over one-and-a-half times the legal limit.
DUI on Main Street
Police made a second DUI arrest at 5:38 p.m. after pulling over an erratic driver heading south on Main Street, near the south end of Pepper Street.
Police said the driver of the Jeep Wrangler had a difficult time staying in the established lane, crossing over the double yellow center line.
After observing several motor vehicle violations, officers pulled over the vehicle and detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage while speaking with the driver, according to the report.
Police said he denied having anything to drink, though a 12-pack of Corona in clear view on the passenger side floor had been opened.
The man’s speech was slurred and he had a difficult time answering basic questions, police said, adding he eventually admitted to having “a couple beers” earlier in the evening, police said.
His performance on field sobriety tests determined he was under the influence, leading to his arrest, the report said. At police headquarters he allegedly refused to submit to a breath test.
The 50-year-old Trumbull man was charged with DUI, failure to drive in the proper lane and failure to obey a traffic signal. He was released on $500 bond for a Nov. 26 court date.
No sneakers in the box
A May Court resident bought a $180 pair of custom Nikes from someone on Instagram, but when the package arrived on Nov. 8, he told police it contained two pieces of PVC piping instead.
The victim contacted the seller about no sneakers being in the box and after a brief argument, police said the seller refused to give him a refund.
The matter will be handled by the Monroe Police Detective Division.
MPD Food Drive
The Monroe Police Department is hosting a Community Food Drive, collecting donations of nonperishable food for the Monroe Food Pantry from now until Nov. 25.
Donations may be dropped off in the lobby of the police station, 7 Fan Hill Road.
The main event of the food drive will be held in the Century Plaza parking lot, 535 Monroe Turnpike, on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
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