Danbury, Fairfield County | featured news

BETHEL — A former town resident is accused of intentionally setting a fire at his home two years ago to collect insurance money.

Waller was arrested at his Danbury home Thursday morning and charged with first-degree arson and insurance fraud — both felonies.

The homeowner then found an interior door frame smashed open and several jewelry boxes scattered on the floor, police said.

Braun, 33, of Patricia Drive, Brookfield, was charged with conspiracy to commit burglary, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, larceny attempt and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The eighth-grade science teacher faces a felony charge of possession of a weapon on school grounds.

Adams, who has a valid pistol permit, was arrested April 6 after a Newtown Middle School employee told security personnel that Adams appeared to have a weapon concealed under his clothing.

ROXBURY — The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the black bear found dead on Roxbury Land Trust property last week was shot.

The adult male bear was found Wednesday morning off Upper County Road, officials said.

The state Environmental Conservation Police ask anyone with information about the incident to call 860-424-3333.

DEEP has also warned residents of bear attacks on livestock and bee hives.

DANBURY — A city woman faces drug trafficking charges after a months-long investigation found she was selling narcotics and several other prescription pills, police said Tuesday.

Following reports that Ashly Vanhorn-Vindilino was dealing drugs in the city, Danbury police detectives conducted a lengthy investigation and applied for search and seizure warrants for Ashly Vanhorn-Vindilino, her 2002 Jeep Liberty and her Comstock Street apartment.

NEW MILFORD — Police found a machete in a man’s car after stopping him for drunken driving Friday night, authorities said.

Wesley Smith, 26, of Mount Tom Road, was pulled over about 9 p.m. while driving in the center of town. Police said he failed the field sobriety tests and was taken into custody.

He was charged with carrying a weapon in a vehicle and driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Smith posted $500 bond and is scheduled to appear May 31 in state Superior Court in Bantam.

Officers were investigating a domestic violence complaint Saturday night when they found the suspect, Barry Kerster, at Lovers Leap State Park, police said.

Kerster, 61, was eventually taken into custody and charged with assaulting public safety personnel, interfering with an officer, interfering with an emergency call and disorderly conduct.

NEW MILFORD — A Kent Road man was arrested on a warrant Sunday charging him with breaking into a car earlier this month.

Scott Palmenta, 45, is being held on $5,000 bond on third-degree burglary and third-degree larceny charges.

Police said an investigation found that he broke into a car in New Milford on May 12.

Palmenta was on parole after serving a one-year prison sentence for possession of narcotics, according to the state Judicial Branch website. He’s previously been convicted of burglary, larceny, identity theft and other crimes.

He was scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

NEW FAIRFIELD — The school board rejected a motion to censure one of its members Thursday night after a contentious discussion about his behavior on social media.

Late in a board meeting that featured a call by teachers for the resignation of Superintendent Alicia Roy, board member Samantha Mannion moved to censure her colleague, Scott Akam.

All you do is make nasty, negative comments about the people who actually roll up their sleeves to make a difference.

Akam responded that Rosen and Bower have made several negative comments about him on Facebook, including calling him weak-minded, fo

DANBURY — A city resident faces sexual assault charges after a months-long investigation determined he abused an autistic man last year, authorities said Friday.

Gordon Fuller, 69, was caring for the 45-year-old victim while the primary caregiver was away last August, according to the report.

Fuller was arrested on a warrant this week and charged with one count each of first- and second-degree sexual assault.

He’s being held on $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear June 6 in state Superior Court in Danbury.