HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ Connecticut State Police responded to more accidents and issued more tickets for distracted driving and speeding over this year’s New Year’s holiday than during the same period in 2015.

Increased enforcement began Thursday on the state’s roadways and ended at midnight on Sunday.

As of 8 a.m. Sunday, state police say troopers were dispatched to more than 175 total accidents. Trooper Kelly Grant says 20 of the crashes included injuries with one fatal. There were 158 accidents during the holiday period of 2015, including 28 with injuries and no deaths.

Troopers wrote 853 speeding tickets this holiday season along with 27 seatbelt violations. In 2015, 726 speeding tickets were issued and there were 22 seatbelt violations.

Despite the rise in accidents, there were nine less drunken driving arrests in 2016.

The Southington Police Department
69 Lazy Ln, Southington, CT 06489
(860) 378-1600

The Southington Police Department announced the following arrests from Wednesday, Dec. 9 through Tuesday, Dec. 22:

• Michael Mikolinski, 25, of 21 Liberty St, Front, Southington, was arrested on Dec. 23 for disorderly conduct.
• James Tatro, 50, of 233 Redstone Hill Rd., Bristol, was arrested on Dec. 24 for breach of peace and second degree harassment.
• Jessica Hayes, 33, of 219 Chamberlain Hwy., Meriden, was arrested on Dec. 24 for second degree threatening and second degree harassment.
• Grzegorz Marchut, 39, of 18 Mark Dr., Southington, was arrested on Dec. 25 for disorderly conduct.
• Shawn Bagley, 44, of 826 Beechwood Ave., Bridgeport, was arrested on Dec. 26 for second degree harassment and second degree threatening.
• Dean Freer, 23, of 298 Deerbrooke Circle, Southington, was arrested on Dec. 28 for third degree criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, third degree assault, and second degree threatening.
• Carmen M. Colon, 44, of 26 Darling St., Southington, was arrested on Dec. 28 for disorderly conduct and second degree threatening.
• Jeffrey A. Bosse, 46, of 162 Walnut St., Southington, was arrested on Dec. 28 for disorderly conduct.
• Aaron B. Coleman, 63, of 912 New Britain Ave., Farmington, was arrested on Dec. 28 for failure to grant right of way, operating a motor vehicle under suspension, failure to carry insurance card, and possession of less than one half ounce of marijuana.
• Miguel Angel Charbonnier, 47, of 49 Stoney Crest Dr., Middletown, was arrested on Dec. 28 for disorderly conduct.
• Nicholas Martino, 43, of 42 Madelyn Ln, Southington, was arrested on Dec. 29 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drug and failure to illuminate headlights.
• Stephanie M. Coleman, 31, of 64 South Center St., Southington, was arrested on Dec. 30 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drug and unsafe passing.
• Charles Michael Young Jr., 33, of 1293 Enfield St., Enfield, was arrested on Dec. 31 for two incidents of sixth degree larceny.
• James Loyd Tatro, 50, of 233 Red Stone Hill Rd., Bristol, was arrested on Jan. 2 for second degree breach of peace and violation of a protective order.
• Anthony Bohlman, 46, of 95 Wild Oak Dr., Southington, was arrested on Jan. 3 for criminal impersonation, disorderly conduct, and second degree threatening.
• Andrew Florian Stierer, 18, of 43 Cope Farms Rd., Farmington, was arrested on Jan. 3 for sixth degree larceny.
• Timothy Delaney, 18, of 208 West Center St., Southington, was arrested on Jan. 3 for two counts of risk of injury, second degree breach of peace, two counts of public indecency, possession of less than one half ounce of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana within 1500 feet of a school.

The Southington Police Department
69 Lazy Ln, Southington, CT 06489
(860) 378-1600

The Southington Police Department announced a new wrinkle in the investigation of the recent home invasion on Monday, Jan. 4.

The initial investigation centered around three individuals, dressed in black with gloves and a mask, that forced their way into the home of Daniel Morin, 43, at 735 Meriden-Waterbury Tpk. at approximately 6:41 p.m. on Monday. All three individuals had hand guns.

Morin attempted to confront the individuals, and an altercation ensued. During the altercation, one of the intruders fired two shots, and Morin was struck in the upper arm. The intruders moved about the house before fleeing on foot. Morin suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Officers responded to the initial call with a K-9 unit, and the police checked the area. The suspects were not located, and detectives remained on the scene.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, a marijuana grow was located in the basement of Morin’s home.  Recovered from the home was 105 marijuana plants, approximately 1.5 pounds of packaged marijuana, and various pieces of marijuana growing equipment.

The home invasion continues to be investigated, as does the marijuana grow. No further details have been released at this time.

Anthony Bohlman

The Southington Police Department announced the arrest of Anthony Bohlman, 46, of Southington for an incident that occurred at the Holiday Inn Express on 122 Laning St.

Police were dispatched to the hotel just before 3 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 3 after receiving a report about an intoxicated guest, Bohlman, causing a disturbance. Officers had already been called early when Bohlman was causing a disturbance in the lobby on a separate issue with his room.

Officers found that after the initial contacts, Bohlman went to the third floor and was allegedly banging on the door claiming to be a U.S. Marshal. When the guest answered the door, Bohlman allegedly threatened the guest. Bohlman was escorted out of the establishment by management.

Officers located him on Queen Street, and he was taken into custody without incident. It does not appear that Bohlman knew the guest prior to the confrontation.

Bohlman was charged with second degree threatening, criminal impersonation, and disorderly conduct. He was held on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 4.

The Southington Police Department announced a heavy traffic warning in the area of North Main Street (Route 10) between Hobart Street and Chapman Street due to an ongoing Southington Water Deptartment job. This will cause heavy congestion and traffic delays.

There will be alternating, one lane traffic in this area for the next several hours. Motorists are asked to avoid this area and to take alternate routes around the area.

Maribel Hidalgo

The Southington Police Department announced the arrest of Maribel Hidalgo, 19, of the Bronx, N.Y. for fraudulent credit card purchases at Simply Wireless (Verizon) in Southington.

Officers were called to the store at 750 Queen St. just before 3 p.m. yesterday for a report of identity theft. A store employee reported a customer (Hidalgo) had entered the store and allegedly attempted to purchase two iPhone 6S Plus phones using a fraudulent identification card bearing the name of an existing customer.

The employee became suspicious of the transaction and confirmed with the existing customer that the transaction was not authorized before calling the police. The iPhones were valued at $1829.20.

Hidalgo was subsequently arrested and charged with third degree identity theft, credit card theft, criminal impersonation, and criminal attempt to commit fourth degree larceny. She was held on a $50,000 bond.

Gordon Devoe

Police announced the arrest of Gordon Devoe, 28, of Southington for discharging a pistol on Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike on Saturday, Jan. 9.

Officers were dispatched to the intersection of Meriden Avenue and the Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike at 8:37 p.m. after receiving an anonymous complaint.

The initial report indicated that two males were observed crossing Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike from Dunkin Donuts toward the Henny Penny store with one of the males holding a pistol in his hand. The complainant pulled over, thinking that the men were going to rob the store, but observed the male fire two rounds into the ground before leaving the area.

Upon arrival, officers located two shell casings on the ground. Police then conducted a K-9 track, which led to a residence on Meriden Avenue and made contact with Devoe, who was visiting an acquaintance at the residence.

Inside a jacket that Devoe had been wearing at the time of the report, officers found three firearms, all registered to Devoe. Police alleged that, at the time of the investigation, Devoe was under the influence of alcohol. Devoe was found to have a valid Connecticut pistol permit.

All of the firearms were seized by police. Devoe was taken into custody and charged with unlawful discharge, carrying a firearm while intoxicated, second degree reckless endangerment, and second degree breach of peace. He was released on a $5,000 bond and given a court date of Jan. 19 at the Bristol Court.

The Southington Police Department
69 Lazy Ln, Southington, CT 06489
(860) 378-1600

The Southington Police Department announced the following arrests from Saturday, Jan. 2 through Saturday, Jan. 9:

• Isaac B. Francisco, 42, of 14027 Cooper Rd., Spring Hill, Fla., was arrested on Jan. 2 for disorderly conduct.
• Steven E. Cianciolo, 21, of 24 Defashion St., Southington, was arrested on Jan. 5 for third degree criminal mischief, second degree breach of peace, and third degree assault.
• Miriam M. Torres, 56, of 44 Capital Ave., New Britain, was arrested on Jan. 6 for sixth degree larceny and conspiracy to commit sixth degree larceny.
• Angelo J. Perugin Jr., 54, of 206 Country Club Rd., New Britain, was arrested on Jan. 6 for sixth degree larceny and conspiracy to commit sixth degree larceny.
• Maribel Hidalgo, 19, of 1162 Sheridan Ave., Bronx, N.Y., was arrested on Jan. 7 for fourth degree larceny, credit card theft, third degree identity theft, and criminal impersonation.
• Daniel Rios Camacho, 44, of 32 Darling St., Southington, was arrested on Jan. 7 for violation of a protective order.
• Yvon Gendreau, 79, of 59 Homesdale Ave., Southington, was arrested on Jan. 8 for third degree burglary, violation of a protective order, and operating a motor vehicle under suspension.
• William T. Bahr, 32, of 30 Dewey Ave., Meriden, was arrested on Jan. 8 for sixth degree larceny.
• Tyler David Holtman, 27, of 12 Sherman St., Bristol, was arrested on Jan. 8 for driving under the influence of liquor or drug, cell phone violation, and following too close.
• Gordon R. Devoe, 28, of 117 Kingswood Dr., Southington, was arrested on Jan. 9 for unlawful discharge of a firearm, carrying a firearm while intoxicated, second degree reckless endangerment, and second degree breach of peace.

The Southington Police Department
69 Lazy Ln, Southington, CT 06489
(860) 378-1600

The Southington Police Department is investigating a purse snatching at a local theater yesterday.

Police received a call just before 2 p.m. on Jan. 12 reporting a strong-armed robbery at the Starplex Cinemas at 1821 Meriden-Waterbury Tpk.

The investigation showed two females, including the victim, parked in the east side front parking lot of the theater. The women began walking toward the building, but as they approached the front doors, a male suspect came up from behind and pushed the victim in the back. The suspect then grabbed the victim’s purse and ran towards the Rochambeau Mall.

The victim chased the thief, but fell to the ground causing a facial injury. The suspect was last seen running in an easterly direction through the Rochambeau Mall. A K-9 track for the suspect was unsuccessful.

The suspect is described as a white male, slim build, wearing a blue winter jacket with a blue knit hat.

Southington Police are actively investigating this incident. Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or may have information pertaining to this incident is asked to contact Ofc. J. D’Agostino at (860) 378-1600 ext. 2272 or via email at jdagostino@southingtonpolice.org.

Joshua Ramirez

Southington Police announced that Joshua Ramirez, 21, of Bristol was arrested for attempting to steal a car on Mount Vernon Road, but it was a Southington homeowner that actually managed to detain Ramirez for arrest.

On Tuesday, Jan. 12, at approximately 6:40 a.m., police were dispatched to the area of 1662 Mount Vernon Rd. on a report that someone was attempting to steal a car from the driveway. It was also reported that the homeowner was holding the suspect at gun point.

The homeowner was allowing his vehicle to warm up in the driveway when he was alerted by a family member that someone was sitting inside the vehicle. The homeowner found Ramirez sitting in the vehicle, and it appeared that Ramirez was attempting get the vehicle into gear.

The homeowner opened the car door and told Ramirez to get out of the vehicle as he stepped back and drew his firearm. Ramirez then exited the vehicle and slowly walked away from the homeowner and down the driveway. Responding Officers took Ramirez into custody without incident at the end of the driveway. The vehicle is valued in excess of $23,000.

Ramirez was charged with criminal attempt at larceny in the first degree, third degree burglary, second degree criminal trespassing, and second degree breach of peace. He was released on a $5,000 bond with a court date of Jan. 25, 2016 at Bristol Superior Court.

The handgun was legally registered, and the homeowner has a valid Connecticut pistol permit.

The Southington Police Department
69 Lazy Ln, Southington, CT 06489
(860) 378-1600

The Southington Police Department announced the following arrests from Monday, Jan. 11 through Thursday, Jan. 14:

• Frank M. Cariso Jr., 29, of 13 Jasmine Ln., Wolcott, was arrested on Jan. 8 for operating an unregistered motor vehicle, improper use of registration, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Steven Soucy, 28, of 42 Victoria Dr., Southington, was arrested on Jan. 10 for disorderly conduct.
• John J. Mangan, 52, of 55 Columbus Ave., Southington, was arrested on Jan. 11 for second degree failure to appear.
• Martin Brennan, 49, of 174 Loper St., Southington, was arrested on Jan. 11 for second degree breach of peace and second degree threatening.
• Andrew R. Salisbury, 23, of 427 North Main St., Bristol, was arrested on Jan. 11 for sixth degree larceny and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• James Tatro, 50, of 223 Redstone Hill Rd., Bristol, was arrested on Jan. 12 for violation of a protective order.
• Pawal L. Rybski, 32, of 25 Vernondale Dr., Southington, was arrested on Jan. 12 for interfering with a 911 call.
• Joshua Ramirez, 21, of 180 South St., Bristol, was arrested on Jan. 12 for criminal attempt at first degree larceny, third degree burglary, second degree criminal trespassing, and second degree breach of peace.
• Luke A. Mauro, 24, of 17 Wolcott St., Hartford, was arrested on Jan. 14 for two incidents of selling marijuana and two incidents of selling heroin.

The Southington Police Department
69 Lazy Ln, Southington, CT 06489
(860) 378-1600

Andrew Pelto, 24, of Southington was arrested after Southington police made two controlled purchases of marijuana.

During the month of August 2015, the Southington Police Department Special Investigations Unit received information that Pelto was selling marijuana in town. Based on this information, two controlled purchases of marijuana were made and two arrest warrants were issued by Bristol Superior Court.

Pelto turned himself into police on Saturday, Jan. 16 at approximately 11 a.m. after learning there were active warrants for his arrest. He was charged with two counts of selling marijuana. He was held on two $50,000 bonds and is scheduled to appear in Bristol Superior Court yesterday.

The warrant was sealed at the time of the arrest and no further details will be released.

Russell Sears

Southington police arrested a Somers man for stealing a backpack leaf blower from Home Depot at 1816 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike in Southington.

On Monday, Jan. 18, police responded to a call from Home Depot security at approximately 10:16 a.m. about a shoplifting incident and a possible altercation in the parking lot.

Home Depot security watched Russell Sears, 53, of Somers selecting a backpack blower from the outdoor equipment aisle and running out of the front door without attempting to pay for it. Security approached Sears in the parking lot and immediately identified themselves at which time Sears began to struggle with them. While attempting to restrain him, security officers heard Sears shout to someone to “get the gun,” and he had needles in his pockets.

Police found Sears in restraint upon arrival. He was taken into custody without further incident.

The blower was valued at $429. No gun or needles were found. A possible accomplice of Sears fled the scene in an unknown vehicle as police were arriving.

Sears was charged with third degree robbery, sixth degree larceny, and second degree breach of peace. He was held on a $50,000 bond and had a court appearance scheduled for Bristol Superior Court on Jan. 19.

Dylan Cooke

Southington police made another arrest as a result of a continuing investigation surrounding thefts from Brunalli Construction Co. on Buckland St. Today, Dylan Cooke, 21, of New Haven turned himself in on an arrest warrant.

The ongoing theft investigation originated on Sept. 17, 2015 when Cooke was arrested for stealing aluminum forming joists from the Brunalli property. As the investigation continued, police found that on Sept. 15, 2015 and Sept. 16, 2015, Cooke and another person (Jonathan Siarkowski) took aluminum, similar to the aluminum in the Sept. 17 case, to a scrap yard and received cash payments for the aluminum.

The value for the aluminum that was turned in during these latest incidents was $2048.

Cooke was charged with third degree larceny, two counts of third degree criminal trespassing, and two counts of second degree criminal mischief. He was held on a $500 bond and will appear in Bristol Superior Court today.

There are no more arrests expected in this case.

The Southington Police Department
69 Lazy Ln, Southington, CT 06489
(860) 378-1600

The Southington Police Department made an arrest for the October robbery at the 7-Eleven store at 777 Queen St. on Oct. 17, 2015. James Dietrichsen, 44, of North Haven was arrested on a warrant at the Bristol Court on Jan. 21. He was incarcerated at New Haven Correctional Institution, but he was scheduled to appear at Bristol Superior Court. At that time, the warrant was served.

The warrant stems from an investigation that began just after 2 a.m. on Oct. 17, 2015 when Southington Police were called about a robbery at the store.

The suspect, identified as Dietrichsen, entered the store, approached the clerk, and demanded money. The clerk put the money from the cash register on the counter. The suspect took the money from the counter, threatened the clerk and the left the store.

The initial investigation said that there was no weapon displayed during this incident. The warrant alleges that Dietrichsen implied he had a weapon and fled the scene with approximately $127 in cash.

Dietrichsen was processed and charged with first degree robbery and sixth degree larceny with a court-set cash bond of $75,000. There is no mug shot available for Dietrichsen due to the fact that he was processed in Court.

With the first significant winter weather event, the Southington Police Department reminded residents that the winter parking ban has been in effect since Sunday, Nov. 15.

These are the town ordinances applicable to the winter months:

• Winter parking ban—It shall be unlawful from Nov. 15 to April 15 for the owner or operator of a vehicle to allow such vehicle to stand or park on any street in the town for more than one hour between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. on any given day.
• Emergency parking ban—The Chief of Police or such other person as may be designated by him to act in his absence or incapacity may terminate street parking on any or all of the streets in the town during a snowstorm or other emergency.
• Maintenance of sidewalks—Whenever any sidewalk adjoining and fronting any land or premises shall be wholly or partially covered with snow, the owner, tenant or occupant of such adjoining premises shall cause such sidewalk to be made safe and convenient by removing such snow there from within 24 hours after the accumulation of the same thereon, and, should ice be accumulated on any sidewalk so that the same cannot be removed, such ice shall be covered with sand or other substance within three (3) hours after the accumulation of such ice.
• Snow throwing—No owner, tenant, occupant or other individual shall throw or cause to be blown by machine or other implement snow into the right-of-way or sidewalks in the Town of Southington. Any person or company found to be in violation hereof shall be fined per violation. Cul-de-sac residents shall be subject to consideration of the difficulties of snow removal in such areas by the agent who decides on the issuance of a violation.
• Absent owner of premises—In the event an owner of premises is absent from the premises when an accumulation of ice or snow occurs such as needs to be removed from a sidewalk adjoining said premises, and the police are unable to reach the owner by phone or in person, then in said event the Town of Southington may cause the snow or ice to be removed and lien the premises for the amount so expended in addition to any other remedy or fines as allowed by law.

**Fines are listed in the Fine Schedule, § 37-2 of the Town Ordinances and posted on the Town of Southington website.

Police are looking for information regarding this robbery at Colonial Spirits Shoppe on Monday.

Police are still investigating Monday’s robbery at Colonial Wine Spirits Shoppe at 255 Berlin Ave. They are asking anyone with information to contact Southington police.

Police were alerted to the robbery when a panic alarm was activated at approximately 7:39 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 25. Dispatch called the establishment and found that an armed robbery had occurred.

A lone male suspect wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a black mask entered the store, displayed a black handgun, and demanded the store clerk give him all of the money from the cash register. The clerk gave the suspect the money before being told to sit on the floor as the suspect fled the scene in a southerly direction.

The amount of cash taken was unknown at the time of the investigation.

Police K-9 units attempted to track the suspect, but the track ended just south of the store.

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 20 to 25 years old, with a slender build (approx. 150 lbs). He was 5’7″ to 6’0” tall, wearing blue jeans, a black sweatshirt, a Carolina Panthers baseball hat, a black face mask, and gloves.

Police are looking for anyone who might have been in the area at this time or witnessed this incident. If you have any information regarding this incident, contact Det. Adam Tillotson at (860) 378-1667 or at atillotson@southingtonpolice.org.

The Southington Police Department
69 Lazy Ln, Southington, CT 06489
(860) 378-1600

Police are investigating several vehicle burglaries that happened during the overnight hours of Sunday, Jan. 24 through Monday, Jan. 25.

The burglaries were concentrated in the southwest portion of town around the Whitlock Avenue-Todd Road neighborhoods. A majority of the vehicles that were entered were unlocked motor vehicles in which mostly loose change was stolen. At one residence on Todd Road, a purse was recovered which was determined to have been stolen from a vehicle within the town of Berlin.

All of these thefts currently under investigation and anyone with any information are asked to call the Southington Police Department at (860) 621-0101.

Police reminded residents to lock their vehicles even when parked in their driveway and to report anything or anyone suspicious to the police.

The Southington Police Department
69 Lazy Ln, Southington, CT 06489
(860) 378-1600

The Southington Police Department announced the following arrests from Saturday, Jan. 16 through Thursday, Jan. 21:

• Heather McLean, 31, of 579 Emmett St., Bristol, was arrested on Jan. 16 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drug, failure to drive right, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, illegal possession of narcotics, and failure to keep narcotics in original container.
• Andrew Pelto, 24, of 63 Homesdale Ave., Southington, was arrested on Jan. 16 for two incidents of selling marijuana.
• Bruce H. Martel, 53, of 4 John St., Southington, was arrested on Jan. 17 for second degree breach of peace.
• Meghan E. Telle, 19, of 175 North Main St., Southington, was arrested on Jan. 17 for possession of less than one half ounce of marijuana.
• Brandy Saccoccio, 31, of 996 Meriden Waterbury Tpk., Southington, was arrested on Jan. 18 for disorderly conduct.
• Duane J. Veilleux, 36, of 132 Rockwell Ave., Bristol, was arrested on Jan. 18 for disorderly conduct.
• Russell D. Sears, 53, of 335 Bilton Rd., Somers, was arrested on Jan. 18 for sixth degree larceny, third degree robbery, and second degree breach of peace.
• Steven X. Rivera, 22, of 22 Homecrest St., Newington, was arrested on Jan. 18 for sixth degree larceny.
• Johnny Agron, 27, of 511 High St., New Britain, was arrested on Jan. 18 for sixth degree larceny.
• Tina Billie Port-Munoz, 46, of 7 Red Oak Dr., Southington, was arrested on Jan. 20 for disorderly conduct.
• Joaquin Alberto Munoz, 59, of 7 Red Oak Dr., Southington, was arrested on Jan. 20 for disorderly conduct.
• Dylan Cooke, 21, of 210 Buckland St, Southington, was arrested on Jan. 21 for two counts of third degree criminal trespassing, third degree larceny, and two counts of third degree criminal mischief.
• Shayquan T. Walker, 26, of 2206 State St., Hamden, was arrested on Jan. 21 for sixth degree larceny, credit card theft, illegal use of a credit card, receiving goods from illegal use of a credit card, and third degree identity theft.
• Kevin Kerns, 21, of 48 Center St., Meriden, was arrested on Jan. 21 for third degree burglary and fourth degree larceny.

Cheryl Ann St. Amant

Southington police arrested Cheryl Ann St. Amant, 36, of Southington after an investigation of a domestic dispute on Saturday, Jan. 23 at approximately 3:23 p.m.

The initial report indicated that St. Amant and a 64 year old female victim got into an argument while the victim was on the phone. As St. Amant tried to take the phone from the victim, it was reported that she grabbed the victim’s arm, shook it, and caused a bruise.

The victim ran away from St. Amant and attempted to dial 911 while they wrestled with the phone. During this time, police arrived on scene. The victim did not require medical attention.

St. Amant was taken into custody without incident and charged with third degree assault of an elderly person, disorderly conduct, interfering with an emergency call, and third degree criminal mischief. She released on a $5,000 bond with an appearance date of Jan. 25, 2016.