Danbury, Fairfield County | featured news

The man who shot a Bethel police officer nearly 30 years ago died in a hospital last week, ending a long and fearful chapter in the victim’s life. The cause of his death was not clear Tuesday, but officials said he had several medical and psychological problems, including a heart condition and schizophrenia. Authorities said he cut off Daubert’s police cruiser on Mansfield Avenue and fired shots into the officer’s head, neck and chest when he got out of his car.

The first incident took place at Rite Aid Pharmacy, 1 Padanaram Road, just before noon last Wednesday, when Cheryl Degiacomo, 55, of New Street, tried to steal about $94 worth of items from the store, police said.

Police said Brookfield resident Brendan Zelle, 26, of Longview Drive, tried to leave the store without paying for $120 in merchandise.

Kurt Brink, 54, caused a disturbance in the main lobby, the eighth floor and at the valet parking area of the hospital Wednesday morning, Oct. 21, hospital employees told police.

According to state Judicial Branch’s website, Brink was convicted in March of interfering with an officer and second-degree threatening for a 2014 incident.

Colley, 58, was charged last month with three counts of first-degree larceny, and one count each of defrauding a public community, second-degree forgery and conspiracy to commit larceny after investigators said he took more than $53,000 from school funds.

Earlier this year, Colley was charged with second-degree larceny and third-degree forgery for receiving reimbursement for iPads that were never purchased.

A Brookfield man died Sunday night when another driver struck his car on Interstate 84 in Middlebury, according to Connecticut State Police.

Kevin Klein, 59, of Bonny Road, was driving on the westbound lane just before 10 p.m. when a Ford Escape traveling eastbound crossed over the center median and struck him, police said.

DANBURY — Five people are facing charges after police watched a drug deal inside a car at a Main Street housing complex last week, authorities said.

Marks, Richter, and Henry, were each charged with illegal sale of a controlled substance, possession of narcotics, distribution of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school and use of drug paraphernalia.

Perez and Vicente were each charged with possession of narcotics, conspiracy to possess narcotics, conspiracy to commit illegal sale of a controlled substance, and conspiracy to commit distribution of a controlled substance.

BETHEL — A 10-year veteran of the town’s police department was promoted to sergeant last week.

James Christos was sworn into his new position in a ceremony Wednesday at the municipal center.

Christos is now in charge of the department’s Major Accident Team. He also is a field training officer and a member of the Emergency Service’s Team.

This is the fourth promotion in the Bethel Police Department in about a month. In September, the agency promoted its first female sergeant, Heather Burnes; a new captain, Steve Pugner; and a lieutenant, Michael Libertini.

Two New Milford residents are facing charges after they were found with crack cocaine during a traffic stop in Dutchess County, New York State Police said.

The two Gaylordsville residents were charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

[...] when he watches the news and sees protests against police across the country as well as recent killings of officers in the line of duty, Krupinsky notices something is missing.

Krupinsky and dozens of other local police officers learned the answer to that question Friday afternoon, when a Brookfield resident and about 40 businesses hosted a reception to celebrate and thank officers for their service.

The reception included a banquet; drinks; prizes; a large cake with the phrase, “Blue Lives Matter” printed on it; a Sept.

DANBURY — A plea deal was reached Friday in the case of a former elementary school teacher accused of sexually assaulting three boys.

Stroh, who was a first-grade teacher at Berry Elementary School in Bethel when the investigation began, previously faced three additional counts of each risk of injury to a minor with sexual contact and sexual assault charges.