Stratford - Police Blotter

On March 10, police were dispatched to Marshall’s department store on Barnum Avenue regarding a shoplifting complaint. Upon arrival, police met store officials who were holding the accused female, Shari Johnson, 31, of Laughlin Road East. Store officials told police that Johnson had entered the store and was inside for a long time, being observed on cameras taking items from the children’s section and placing them into her black pocket book. She then allegedly walked past the cashiers without paying for the items when she was approached by store security and apprehended. Police observed the store video and the value of the goods taken was $62.92. Johnson was taken to her mother’s house after she could not produce any identification. She was charged with sixth degree larceny and released on a promise to appear in court on March 24.

On March 12, police responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident on Knowlton Street. Upon arrival, police observed a blue Honda Civic in the middle of the street with heavy front-end damage and a large puddle of fluids on the ground under the vehicle. The operator, Evan Ortiz, 21, of Bunnyview Drive, was standing outside the vehicle and was asked if he was OK. Ortiz replied yes, and officers could allegedly smell alcohol on his breath and his eyes were bloodshot. Ortiz was asked what happened and he told police that he was driving northbound on Knowlton Street and was texting at the same time. While driving and texting he told police he lost control of the vehicle and hit a parked car. Police asked Ortiz if he had been drinking he stated that he had five or six drinks at the Black Bear restaurant in Milford. He was asked and stated that he did not have any disabilities, and then was administered three field sobriety tests by police, all of which he failed. He was then handcuffed and placed in the patrol car and taken to headquarters, where he was read his rights and consented to and given two breath tests. The test results showed blood/alcohol levels of .2425 and .2341, well above the legal limit. He was charged with failure to drive right and driving under the influence. Bond was set at $500 and court March 21.