MONROE, CT — A 13-year-old girl reportedly told her mother she was riding her bicycle in the area of Riding Ridge Road Sunday night, when someone in a dark red sedan that was idling on Rodeo Drive, pulled out with the high beams on and drove slowly behind her.
She heard a window go down, but didn’t see or hear anything from inside the vehicle. Feeling nervous, the teen rode her bike into a nearby driveway.
The vehicle came to a stop, before continuing along Riding Ridge Road, toward Gaylor Drive, according to the teen’s account.
Police said she called her mother, who arrived on the scene and followed her daughter as she rode her bike home.
The young victim was unable to get the license plate number nor the make or model of the sedan, police said of the incident, which occurred around 7:30 p.m.
At 7:45 p.m., a 57-year-old Riding Ridge Road man told police he was riding his bicycle when he noticed a suspicious dark red sedan.
The man recorded video on his cellphone, which showed the vehicle at a stop sign at Riding Ridge Road and Rodeo Drive. It sped out and turned left onto Blanket Meadow Road.
He told officers he thought it seemed odd to drive from one dead end street (Rodeo Drive) to another (Blanket Meadow), police said.
The resident was unable to get the license plate, make or model of the vehicle on video.
In both instances, police advised the residents to contact them if it happens again. Anyone with information about the vehicle is asked to call the Monroe Police Department’s general number, 203-261-3622.
Another suspicious vehicle
Police received two complaints about a man standing beside his silver sedan, near a bus stop at the corner Bagburn and Old Zoar roads, Friday morning, as well as later in the day when the kids were dropped off.
One mother told police her husband spoke to the older man, who said he was supervising a roof job in the area, but grew up in town. Then the stranger asked the father where the kids went to school, which reportedly made him feel uncomfortable.
Officers were unable to contact the driver to get his side of the story, so police will have extra patrols in the area. The incident is under investigation.
Driving a stolen car
During a traffic stop on Route 110 Saturday evening, the 25-year-old driver told officers he bought his red 2007 Nissan Murano from his cousin for $1,500 in January, and showed them a valid insurance card and registration certificate.
The only problem was the Nissan had been reported stolen from Bob’s Buick GMC in Milford, police said.
Officers contacted the Milford Police Department to confirm the Nissan was stolen, then arrested the driver and charged him with larceny of a motor vehicle. He was released after posting 10 percent of the $1,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 11.
Motorcycle crash
A 68-year-old Wolcott man lost control of his black 2010 Honda VT1300 on a curve, fell off his bike and sustained facial injuries, while heading northwest on Pepper Street Saturday afternoon, according to police.
Trumbull Emergency Medical Service personnel evaluated him at the scene before taking him to St. Vincent’s Medical Center for further treatment of his injuries.
He reportedly told police he drove over sand or gravel in the roadway and attempted to counter-steer, but his left foot rest struck the ground, causing him to lose control of the bike.
The rider was issued a verbal warning for traveling too fast for conditions.
The accident occurred in the 580-block of north Pepper Street around 3:39 p.m.
Road rash
A 48-year-old Trumbull man rode his gray 2012 Harley Davidson FXDC south on Main Street Saturday afternoon, when a red 2012 Ford Fusion in front of him stopped to turn left onto Bradford Drive. The motorcycle crashed into the back of the Ford, before skidding to a stop.
Police said the Trumbull man, who sustained minor injuries and road rash, was evaluated at the scene by Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Service personnel, but refused a trip to a hospital.
The driver of the Ford Fusion, a 53-year-old Bridgeport man, and his passenger were not injured, according to police.
The accident occurred around 3:51 p.m. The motorcycle rider told police he did not notice the Ford Fusion had stopped, until it was too late, then struck the right rear-quarter-panel while trying to avoid hitting it.
He was issued a written warning for following too close and causing an accident and for operation of a motorcycle with a limited motorcycle endorsement. The Harley was towed due to disabling damage.
A fraudulent account
A 71-year-old Monroe woman told police someone fraudulently opened a Bank of America checking account in her name, deposited $750, then withdrew $500 using an ATM in California.
Police said opening fraudulent bank accounts is one way criminals cash washed checks.
On Aug. 16, the victim received a phone call from Merrill Lynch thanking her for joining Bank of America. She looked into it, because she did not open the account and obtained a bank statement with the transactions, police said, adding the bank had closed the account on Aug. 18.
The woman had suffered no financial loss, but was advised to go to a Bank of America branch to file a fraud complaint in person, notify the three major credit bureaus about the incident and to monitor her credit.
Chip Away at Fraud
The Connecticut Chapter of the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI) is holding its 11th annual Chipping Away at Fraud Golf Outing at Whitney Farms Golf Course, 175 Shelton Road, on Oct. 4.
Registration includes 18 holes of golf, a cart fee, lunch, course refreshments and dinner. All payments must be made prior to the event.
For information, call Monroe Police Detective Dave Chaves at 203-261-3622.
Registration and lunch is from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and there will be a shotgun start at 11. Dinner will be served at the conclusion of the event, around 5 p.m.
All respectful comments with the commenter’s first and last name are welcome.
