Police Blotter for June 16: Unconfirmed Sighting of Mountain Lion in Greenfield Hill

Easton woman reports seeing mountain lion in Greenfield Hill

An Easton motorist driving from Redding Road onto Old Academy Road in Fairfield on Tuesday afternoon reported seeing a mountain lion, police said.

"She took a left onto Old Academy Road and said she saw this huge thing crossing the road," Police Lt. James Perez said on Thursday, adding that she described the creature as having a long body and long tail.

Perez encouraged residents who see a similar animal to call the police.

"Unlike coyotes, mountain lions will attack humans, and they're not afraid to go after them...We need to quickly take locations of where these sightings are," Perez said. "A mountain lion is of an extra concern to us in the department because they pose a direct threat to humans. They are not afraid of confrontations with humans."

Residents have reported seeing mountain lions in the past, particularly around Fairfield Woods Road and in the town's Springer Glen area, but Animal Control officers said at the time that those sightings likely were coyotes with mange. Animal Control officers weren't immediately available Thursday morning to say if the creature seen by the Easton woman was a mountain lion.

However, recent mountain lion sightings in Greenwich and Milford have increased the possibility of mountain lions appearing in Fairfield, according to police. "In one shot, they will travel miles and miles before they stop," Perez said. However, Perez added, "If there's prey, they will stay."

Attempted larceny at The Home Depot

An unidentified man attempted to steal a five-piece tool kit valued at $549 and a four-piece cordless combo kit valued at $459 from The Home Depot in Fairfield on Wednesday afternoon.

Police said a loss prevention officer at The Home Depot followed the man as he tried to leave through an emergency exit around 3:31 p.m. The man opened the emergency door, causing an alarm to sound, and the loss prevention officer grabbed him, police said. The man broke free and ran across Kings Highway Cutoff to the parking lot of The Edge, a fitness center, where he got into an older-style white Oldsmobile Cutlass Sierra that was last seen heading north on Grasmere Avenue, police said.

The man was described by police as white, in his late 30s or early 40s, about 6 feet tall, bald and dressed in black clothing.

Domestic dispute ends with arrests for disorderly conduct

A man and woman living on Stratfield Road in Fairfield were each charged with disorderly conduct Wednesday night after an altercation in their home.

Juan Alvarez-Canedo, 33, and Marcia Bonilla-Brito, 34, were each released on a promise to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court Thursday, police said.

Each admitted to physical contact after an argument but said the physical contact was in self defense, police said. Alvarez-Canedo said Bonilla-Brito pushed and kicked him and that he pushed her away. Bonilla-Brito said he shoved her and she fell to the floor, police said.

Neither requried medical attention, police said.

Honda stolen from Park Avenue

A 1999 Honda Civic valued at $3,500 was reported stolen from a driveway in the 3500 block of Park Avenue in Fairfield sometime between 1:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. Thursday. Police said the owner reported that the doors were unlocked and the keys were not in the car.

Drug arrest early Thursday in Brick Walk Shopping Center

An 18-year-old Bethany man was arrested on drug charges early Thursday after a patrol officer went to investigate an occupied sports utility vehicle with its parking lights on in the Brick Walk Shopping Center on the Post Road in Fairfield about 3:18 a.m.

Alexei Dembski of Beacon Road was charged with possession of narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on a promise to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court, police said. His court date was not immediately available.

Police said two baggies of marijuana were on the floor of the SUV and a baggie of cocaine was in the glove compartment.