MONROE, Conn. — Officers and state officials conducted compliance checks of Stop & Vape Convenience, 483 Monroe Turnpike, and Area 51, 525 Main St., following a complaint from a woman, who alleged that her underage daughter bought cannabis products from both stores. No stores in Monroe are permitted to sell THC products.
The Department of Consumer Protection Drug Control Division, the Connecticut Department of Labor Wage and Workplace Standards, and Department of Mental Heath and Addiction Services assisted in the compliance checks.
On May 20, a clerk at Stop & Vape Convenience was charged with sale of more-than-one-kilogram of cannabis and possession of a controlled substance. The 26-year-old Bronx man was released on seven percent of his $1,000 bond for a May 27 court date.
Police said 4.14 pounds of THC products, which were being illegally sold, was found inside the store and the business was temporarily closed due to labor violations.
Though no THC products were not found at Area 51, state officials forced the store to close due to labor violations, according to police.
Bicyclist struck
A 12-year-old Monroe girl was struck by a vehicle while riding her bicycle in a minor collision, while trying to cross the intersection of Cross Hill Road and Elm Street on May 17. The girl was treated by Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel at the scene, but she and her parents declined a trip to the hospital.
Around noon, police said a 23-year-old Newtown man heading west on Cross Hill Road in a 2026 GMC Sierra, toward Wolfe Park, noticed that no drivers were letting the girl go, so he told officers he pulled into the intersection and stopped, attempting to block traffic, so she could cross the intersection on her bike.
The girl, who was heading north on Elm Street, proceeded through the intersection, but when she emerged from behind the truck, she was struck by another vehicle, police said.
A 77-year-old Monroe woman heading east on Cross Hill Road in a 2018 Toyota RAV4 had attempted to go straight through the intersection after stopping at a stop sign. She reportedly told police she did not see the cyclist behind the truck and did not know why the truck was sitting in the middle of the intersection.
No police action was taken against either driver, however the girl was cited for improper use of a highway with a bicycle, because police said she was going against traffic. Riders must move with traffic whether on a bike, scooter or e-bike.
Amazon driver may have fallen asleep
An Amazon driver told officers he may have fallen asleep after a long day of work before hitting a utility pole, while heading east on Judd Road, between Patmar Drive and Main Street, on May 19.
The 28-year-old Stratford man was treated at the scene by Monroe EMS, but declined further medical treatment. He was issued an infraction for failure to drive in the proper lane and his van was towed due to disabling damage.
Police said the driver had veered off the right side of the road after failing to negotiate a left curve. The crash occurred around 6:51 p.m.
Judd Road was closed for over an hour, while first responders worked the scene and Eversource Energy was contacted to repair the damaged pole.
Arrests in used cooking oil theft
An officer patrolling closed businesses along Route 25 on May 15 reportedly found a white Chevy van occupied by two New York residents parked near the used cooking oil receptacle behind Clock Tower Square, 477 Main St., around 11:27 p.m.
“The theft of this cooking oil is a common occurrence in the area,” Police Lt. Kevin McKellick said.
When the officer spoke with the two people inside the van, they could not give a legitimate explanation of why they were there, police said, adding the officer noticed the lid on the oil receptacle was open and a trail of oil on the ground led from the lid to the rear of the van.
One of the rear doors of the van was open and the officer saw two large plastic containers used for storing oil, along with a gas powered transfer pump, police said.
Police confirmed the duo was not authorized to remove oil from the tank, arrested them and had the vehicle towed.
The 31-year-old man and 30-year-old woman were both charged with conspiracy to commit sixth-degree larceny and each was released on seven percent of $5,000 bond for a May 27 court date.
Toyota vs. utility pole
A 42-year old Spring Valley, N.Y., man was issued an infraction for failure to drive in the proper lane last Tuesday after he lost control of his 2006 Toyota Avalon on a left curve while heading east, downhill on Route 34, went off the road to the right and struck a utility pole, according to police.
The driver, who told officers he experienced a steering problem, was evaluated by Monroe EMS, but declined a trip to the hospital, the report said. His Toyota was towed due to disabling damage.
The accident occurred west of Stevenson Dam just before 7 p.m.
Thieves target vehicles
Police responded to three complaints of unlocked vehicles entered in Great Oak Farms on May 21, but only an EZ Pass was stolen. The owner canceled the pass, according to the report.
Police remind residents to lock their vehicles and not to leave valuables inside.
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