MONROE, CT — A local man was charged with DUI following a crash into a house in the 60-block of Wheeler Road early Monday morning.
The 25-year-old Monroe man was also charged with failure to maintain the proper lane and traveling too fast for conditions. He was released on $500 bond for a Feb. 27 court date.
Police said the driver was heading east on Cross Hill Road in a black Hyundai Sonata when he went through a stop sign at a high rate of speed around 1 a.m.
The vehicle struck a guardrail, went over it, hit a tree, continued through the yard on Wheeler Road, struck two lane pillars on the front porch, then collided with the front door of the house, according to police.
Police said the driver stood outside the Hyundai when officers arrived on the scene and refused medical treatment from Monroe Emergency Medical Service personnel. Firefighters were also on scene.
He appeared disoriented and confused as officers spoke with him, police said, adding officers smelled the distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath and his eyes appeared bloodshot and glossy.
Police said he admitted to drinking earlier that evening and participated in field sobriety tests, which determined he was under the influence.
No one who lives in the house was hurt, though there was significant damage, the report said. Police said there was front yard damage and that children’s toys and a patio set were destroyed, in addition to the damage to the front entrance.
The Monroe Building Department determined there was no immediate issue with the structure of the house and that the family can still live there, according to the report.
Police recover stolen rental cars
Police recovered three-of-four rental vehicles reported stolen in a burglary of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, 75 Main St., on Feb. 10.
The business reported the incident around 7:46 a.m. on Feb. 10 and video surveillance footage showed the burglary occurred at 5:14 that morning.
In the video, two burglars are seen breaking a window and opening a door to the business, where they broke into a lock box where keys are kept, police said.
The suspects drove off in a gray 2021 Dodge Ram, a black 2021 Audi Q7, a white 2022 Land Rover Velar and a black 2020 Nissan Armada, police said, adding there were at least five burglars, because the vehicle they came in was not left at the scene.
Later that day, at 11:56 a.m., Seymour police recovered the stolen Audi.
On Feb. 16, Fairfield police recovered the Land Rover at 11 a.m., and Shelton police recovered the Nissan Armada at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 17.
The Dodge is still at large and Monroe detectives continue to investigate the case.
Monroe man reports extortion
A young Monroe man told police someone posing as a female softball player from North Carolina communicated with him on Snapchat, then threatened to release personal information he had shared on social media networks if he did not send her a gift card.
The victim sent a $300 iTunes gift card to someone in Nigeria, according to police. The incident was reported on Sunday.
Not his Verizon account
A 26-year-old Monroe man told police someone fraudulently opened a $150 Verizon Wireless account for a new cellphone in his name, according to a complaint filed Feb. 17.
Police said he reported the incident to Verizon, which required a police report to confirm he did not open the new account.
The victim is unaware of who could be responsible for the fraud, though three months earlier he was notified by his employer about a cyber breach at their company, police said.
Banned from CVS
A 50-year-old Westport man was banned from the CVS Pharmacy at 511 Monroe Turnpike after allegedly refusing to leave the store on Feb. 17.
At approximately 10:19 p.m., the store manager called police officers for assistance with the customer who allegedly refused to leave.
Police said the man wanted to have a prescription filled, when the manager told him it was too late and that she was trying to close to the store for the day. He argued with her and she told him the Bridgeport CVS is open 24 hours, according to the report.
Officers spoke with the customer and the manager, police said, adding the manager did not wish to press charges, but does not want the man to come back to the store.
Unemployment fraud
A 56-year-old Monroe man told police someone filed a false claim for unemployment benefits in his name, according to a complaint filed on Feb. 17.
Police said he is currently employed and does not believe any money was paid out. He contacted the Connecticut Department of Labor to report the incident.
He was advised to contact any banks and credit card companies he does business with to monitor his credit for fraudulent activity, and to contact the Social Security Administration.
