Vehicle Damage Leads to Arrest of Wilton Man for DUI

The following arrest information was provided by the Westport Police Department. It does not indicate convictions.

Nicholas Galella, 24, of Wilton was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol on July 14. According to police an officer on patrol observed Galella’s vehicle traveling north on Wilton Road with fresh damage to the rear end — specifically the car’s rear bumper was hanging off and dragging on the pavement. The officer reportedly followed the vehicle, which pulled into a driveway. Upon speaking with Galella the officer detected a strong odor of alcohol. When asked about the damage to the car, Galella reportedly told police that he left a friends house on Rice’s Lane in Westport and possibly hit a mailbox, but then changed his story and stated he hit a rock. Officers were sent to the area but could not locate any damaged property. Galella reportedly failed field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest. He was held on a $500 bond and transported to Norwalk Superior Court for arraignment. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 21.

Anne Magee, 19, of Fairfield, was arrested and charged with sixth degree larceny on July 14. Police said they were contacted by a clerk at ODDZ, a retail store on Main Street, after the clerk had allegedly caught Magee attempting to steal a skirt. The clerk told police that Magee had removed the sensor tag and put the skirt, valued at $44, in her purse. Magee was issued a misdemeanor summons and released. She is scheduled to appear in court on July 25.

Gerritt Graham, 40, of Fairfield, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol on July 15. Police said an officer on patrol on Maple Ave North near the intersection of Post Road East observed Graham’s vehicle weaving in and out of the northbound lane, nearly striking the curb, and cross the yellow lines completely into the southbound lane several times. Once stopped, the officer reportedly noticed a distinct and pronounced odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from inside the vehicle. Graham failed field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest. Police said Graham refused to submit to the breath test. Graham was also charged with driving an unregistered motor vehicle and failure to drive in the proper lane. He posted bond and is scheduled to appear in court on July 25.

Brendan Begnal, 31, of 111 Compo Road, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol on July 16. According to police an off-duty officer observed Begnal’s vehicle traveling erratically on Greens Farms Rd and called the vehicle information into HQ. At the off duty officer followed the vehicle he observed it strike a stone wall at 25 Compo Road South, police said. Officers who arrived on the scene and spoke with Begnal reportedly detected a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. Begnal reportedly failed field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest. Begnal was also charged with failure to drive in proper lane, failure to renew registration, and failure to carry adequate insurance. He reportedly posted bond and is scheduled to appear in court on July 26.

Robert MacCloy, 50, and Ellen MacCloy, 45, both of Monroe were each arrested and charged with breach of peace on July 17. According to police the pair got into a loud verbal altercation outside of Splash Restaurant. They were both issued misdemeanor summons with a court date of July 18.

John McNamara, 19, of Fairfield was arrested and charged with possession of alcohol by a minor on July 17. According to police an officer on patrol stopped McNamara’s vehicle in the area of Post Road East and Morningside Drive for expired plates. During the stop, officers located two 40 oz. Budweiser beers in the vehicle. McNamara was also charged with operating an unregistered motor vehicle. He was issued an infraction with an answer date of July 29.