On Tuesday, 10/29/2024 at approximately 10:30 PM, a Southbury Police Officer was patrolling the intersection of Old Waterbury Rd and Bucks Hill Rd in Southbury when they noticed a gray Volkswagen Passat traveling northbound on Bucks Hill Rd with its interior lights illuminated. As the vehicle passed by, the Officer observed what appeared to be hand-to-hand movements between the driver and front seat passenger, who quickly turned off the interior lights. The Officer began to follow the Volkswagen and conducted a DMV query on the Connecticut registration displayed on the vehicle. The DMV query revealed that it was actually registered to a red Toyota Tacoma. Given the clear misrepresentation of the vehicle's registration, the Officer activated their emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop.
After doing so, the driver failed to stop and continued north for nearly a minute before coming to an abrupt stop on Main Street North. Once safely stopped, the Officer approached the vehicle and observed an adult male driver, identified as Robert Schwarz (DOB: 02/27/1973) of New Milford, and an adult female passenger. During the investigation, the Officer discovered that Troop A in Southbury held an active arrest warrant for Schwarz, which was related to several charges stemming from a wrong-way driving incident in June. A DMV query also revealed that Schwarz had a suspended driver's license. Additional Officers and Troopers responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. Given the strength of the arrest warrant, Schwarz was directed to exit the vehicle and placed in handcuffs. A search incident to the arrest revealed approximately 2 grams of a white rock-like substance on his person. Schwarz was released from Southbury PD custody while on scene and issued a misdemeanor summons for the following violations:
C.G.S. 14-12(a)*; Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
C.G.S. 14-1477(c); Improper Use of Registration Plates
C.G.S. 14-213b; Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle w/o Minimum Insurance
C.G.S. 14-215; Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Under Suspension
C.G.S. 21a-279(a)(1); Possession of a Controlled Substance
Schwarz was released on a $2,500 bond and is scheduled for arraignment at Waterbury Superior Court on 11/12/2024 for the above charges.
Schwarz was subsequently transported to Troop A to be processed for the charges pertaining to the arrest warrant. Schwarz was charged with the following violations:
C.G.S. 14-215; Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Under Suspension
C.G.S. 14-223(a); Disobeying the Signal of an Officer
C.G.S. 14-223(b)**; Engaging Police in Pursuit
C.G.S. 14-227a; Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle while Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs
C.G.S. 14-236; Failure to Drive in Proper Lane
C.G.S. 14-237; Driving the Wrong Way on a Divided Highway
C.G.S. 14-240; Following Too Closely
C.G.S. 21a-267(a); Use of Drug Paraphernalia
C.G.S. 21a-279(a)(1); Possession of a Controlled Substance
C.G.S. 53a-60d; Assault 2nd Degree with a Motor Vehicle
C.G.S. 53a-63; Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree
C.G.S. 53a-167a; Interfering with an Officer
Schwarz was assigned a $500,000 bond for the above charges, which he was unable to post. During arrest processing, Schwarz complained of leg pain and was transported to an area hospital for treatment while remaining in State Police custody. Schwarz is scheduled for arraignment at Waterbury Superior Court on 11/01/2024 following his discharge from the hospital.
Please see the attached arrest warrant application.
