Breach of Peace Arrest, Senior Scam and Street Fight

The Fairfield Police Department’s press briefing on Friday included the following cases. Arrest information does not indicate a conviction.

Breach of peace arrest

A West Haven man was arrested today for using a motor vehicle without permission and damaging property with it.

According to police, at around 1 a.m., Matthew Miranda, 25, took his friend’s car without her permission while visiting her at 154 John Street. When she tried to stop him, he threw her to the ground several times, causing her to suffer bruises and abrasions on her elbows and forearms. He left in the car, bought cigarettes nearby and, upon return, got into an argument with the woman again when she asked for the keys. He proceeded to drive the car into the side of an above-ground pool, damaging both the car and pool. When she contacted police, Miranda left the property on foot. Police searched the area, ultimately discovering and arresting him on the tracks near Southport railroad station, after he hid out under the platform. Property damage was estimated at $1,100.

Miranda was charged with third-degree assault, second-degree criminal mischief, breach of peace and using a motor vehicle without permission. He was later charged with an additional count of reckless driving and operating without a license. He was held on a $500 bond with a court date of July 25.

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Senior scam

A Norwalk man was arrested yesterday after scamming an 83-year-old woman out of $800 after misrepresenting himself as a car repair professional.

According to police, the victim reported that a white male came to her door in the Dogwood Green condominiums and inquired about her vehicle, which had some body damage. He identified himself as Jimmy and said that he could fix the car for $800. She initially refused the work but he was persistent and she ultimately gave him a check for $800. After doing a very minor adjustment of a headlight, the man left and went and cashed the check.

Police investigated the incident and, with the help of security investigators at People’s Bank, identified the man as Male Demetro, 26. He had multiple addresses and is alleged to have committed similar acts in the past in Fairfield. A warrant was issued for second-degree larceny with regard to exploitation of the elderly, which was served at Bridgeport Superior Court, where he was subsequently arrested and issued a bond of $10,000.

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Cash taken from McDonald’s safe

The owner of a McDonald’s at 1835 Black Rock Turnpike reported yesterday that $366 had gone missing from a safe at the business.

According to police, the owner said that his manager opened the safe at 6 a.m. yesterday and, after doing a count of the money inside, noticed that $366 was missing. The manager notified the owner. The owner suspects an employee, police said. The incident is under investigation.

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Street fight near Molto

A Fairfield man was arrested for second-degree breach of peace after a confrontation with a juvenile near the Brick Walk plaza at 1275 Post Road.

According to police, at around 11 p.m. last night, three juveniles were skateboarding when they were approached by several adults in a group. Words were exchanged and then one of the adults, Alphonso Cammarota, 44, of 174 Parkwood Road, punched one of the youths in the face, bruising his right jaw and chipping a tooth. Officers said Cammarota told them that the youths tried to strike him with a skateboard and he was just defending himself, though Cammarota had not been harmed in any way.

Cammarota was issued a misdemeanor summons and a court date of July 25.

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Narcotics violation

A Florida man was arrested on a warrant after a property search turned up narcotics and related paraphernalia.

According to police, Brett Swider, 20, of Boca Raton, was arrested back on July 5 for possession of over 700 pills of Oxycodone. A warrant was subsequently requested to search his premises, which turned up further narcotics and equipment. He was arrested for possession of narcotics, possession with intent to sell, illegal storage of narcotics and possession of illegal drug paraphernalia.

Swider was issued a July 15 court date and $25,000 bond.