Police Blotter: Child Porn, Criminal Impersonation, Bad Checks

Here are the latest crime reports obtained from the Westport Police Department for the week of April 5-12.

Stratford Man Arrested for Possessing Child Porn

David Oneil of Stratford was arrested last week on a charge of possessing child pornography after police found a book containing photos of young naked boys in his car, among other similar items.

Officers noticed the book during an investigation of a larceny at Barnes and Noble last summer. At that time, Oneil was charged with theft, which then led to further investigation. Police obtained a warrant to search Oneil's home and found a "large amount of pornographic materials of similar nature," according to a police report. Additional images were also found on his computer. Once officers obtained a warrant for Oneil's arrest and told him of the warrant, he turned himself in.

Oneil, 50, is scheduled to appear in court April 14. His bond was set at $10,000.

Newman's Own is Victim of Identify Theft

In November, detectives responded to Newman's Own at 246 Post Road East on a report of identity theft. Police learned that several credit cards and charge accounts had been opened as corporate accounts using Newman's Own corporate information under the name of Chase Newman with a Bronx, N.Y., address. An investigation involving other departments in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York, identified Chase Newman, 22, as the person opening and using those accounts. Newman turned himself in after being advised of the warrant for his arrest. He was arrested on charges of forgery, criminal impersonation, false statement to procure a credit card, illegal use of credit cards and larceny. During processing, it was also found he was wanted on three charges of failure to appear in Berlin, Milford, and New Haven, so he was arrested on those counts as well. In total, his bond was set at $51,669. He is scheduled to appear in court April 15.

The following arrests were made by Westport Police last week:

• Pamela Discola of Westport, 46, was arrested Thursday on a charge of issuing a bad check. In February, police received a complaint from Mitchell's of Westport that Discola had written the store two checks totaling $4,279.28 that had been returned for insufficient funds. Police obtained a warrant for Discola. Then on Thursday, police responded to a report of a drunk person at Acqua Restaurant. The drunk person was identified as Discola and she was taken into custody. A bond has been set at $5,000 and she is scheduled to appear in court April 16.

• William Wexler of Westport, 50, was arrested Wednesday on a charge of flammable combustion. While getting gas at a Post Road station, he locked the pump handle using the gas cap rather than the built in mechanism and went into the store to do other shopping, leaving the pump unattended. As the gas tank overflowed, more than 5 gallons of gas spilled onto the pavement. The Westport Fire Department responded and cleaned up the spill with absorption material.

• Christina Mattsson of Fairfield, 46, was arrested Thursday on a charge of operating under the influence of alcohol. She was seen swerving on Long Lots Road and crossing over the double yellow centerline. She was stopped by police and failed sobriety tests. She was taken into custody and given a $500 bond. She is scheduled to appear in court April 19.

• Michael Rechtman of Weston, 19, was arrested Thursday on a charge of possessing and selling cocaine. In October, during a drug investigation, he sold cocaine to an undercover officer, according to a police report. Rechtman turned himself in after learning there was a warrant for his arrest. His bond was set at $50,000 and he is scheduled to appear in court April 19.

• Victoria Drought of Sandy Hook, 49, was arrested Friday on a DUI charge. She was seen weaving between lanes and crossing the double yellow line on Post Road East. When stopped by police, she failed sobriety tests and was taken into custody. A bond was set at $500. She is scheduled to appear in court April 9.

• Daniel Mariano of Norwalk, 47, was arrested Friday on a charge of threatening. According to police, he had threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend after a recent breakup. Police obtained a warrant for his arrest and he was taken into custody without incident. A risk warrant was also obtained and his handguns were taken into custody as well, according to police. His bond was set at $1,000 and he is scheduled to appear in court today.