Stratford Police Blotter

On Feb. 18, Officer Burroughs stopped a blue Camry on Honeyspot Road near Sedgewick Avenue. The operator, Mark Malloy, 55, of Sedgewick Ave., told police that he was unaware that the vehicle was unregistered and uninsured due to the fact that he was unable to pay his property taxes. He was charged with operating an unregistered vehicle and operating without insurance and released on a promise to appear in court on March 8. 

On Feb. 20, Officers Iannucci and Panton were dispatched to Wal-Mart at 150 Barnum Avenue Cutoff on a complaint of a shoplifting. Once there, officers met with the Wal-Mart asset protection associate where the accused, Michael Begnoche, 44, of New Haven was detained. The Wal-Mart official told police that he observed Begnoche remove a knife from his belt and use it to break open a memory card from a shelf in the electronics department. Begnoche then proceeded to the woman’s clothing department where he concealed other items including soap, candy, mouthwash and other assorted items. Begnoche then exited the store through the front door with concealed items where he was confronted and subdued by two Wal-Mart employees after a brief struggle. The value of the items was $59.09. Begnoche was taken to police headquarters where he was charged with sixth degree larceny and held on $2,500 bond. Court was set for March 4. 

On Feb. 22, Officer Policano was on patrol on Woodend Road when he observed a red Honda without plates. “I have knowledge that the last registered owner was Lemar Taylor,” 25, of Woodend Road, Officer Policano wrote in his report. Taylor has an active warrant for failure to appear and charged with second degree failure to appear, posted bond and was scheduled for court on March 8. 

On Feb. 22, Officer Policano while on patrol on Barnum Avenue saw a vehicle with no front plate traveling westbound. A check showed the plate displayed on the rear of the vehicle was expired and suspended. The car was pulled over and the driver, William Martinez, 26, of Bridgeport, told police that he had recently purchased the vehicle and had not registered or insured it. While speaking with Martinez, Officer Policano “detected an odor of what I suspected to be marijuana,” he wrote in his report, and asked Martinez to exit the vehicle. Martinez was patted down for weapons and was asked if he had any illegal substance on him. Martinez stated, “I got marijuana in my right pocket.” Police located a clear sandwich baggie that contained a green leafy substance later positively field tested a marijuana. Martinez was charged with possession of under four ounces of marijuana, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, misuse of a registration, no insurance and operating with a suspended registration. Martinez was released on a promise to appear in court on March 9.