Traffic stop leads to improper driving, drug arrest

WATERBURY, Conn. (WFSB) – A man who state police say was driving the wrong way in Waterbury over the summer is facing DUI, drug and other charges.

They identified the driver as Robert Schwartz, 51, of New Milford.

In accordance with... — Robert Schwartz was arrested on a list of charges, including impaired driving, state police said.(Connecticut State Police)

A Southbury police officer said the driver of a gray Volkswagen Passat was northbound on Bucks Hill Road in Southbury with its interior lights on on Oct. 29 around 10:30 p.m.

As the driver drove by, the officer reported seeing what appeared to be hand-to-hand movements between the driver and front seat passenger, who quickly turned off the interior lights.

The officer followed the Passat and asked the DMV about the Connecticut registration on the vehicle.

A DMV inquiry showed it was actually registered to a red Toyota Tacoma, state police said.

Due to the registration discrepancy, the officer activated his hazard lights and siren to make a traffic stop.

The driver of the Passat, however, refused to stop, state police said.

He continued north on Main Street in Southbury before coming to an abrupt stop, police said.

After the stop, Officer Southbury approached the vehicle and observed an adult male driver named Schwartz and an adult female passenger.

During the investigation, the officer discovered that state police had an active warrant for Schwartz’s arrest in connection with a wrong-way driving incident in Waterbury in June.

A DMV request also revealed Schwartz had a suspended driver’s license

Additional officers and troopers arrived at the scene to assist with the investigation.

Given the strength of the arrest warrant, Schwartz was ordered out of the vehicle and handcuffed.

During an arrest-related search, Schwartz was found to be in possession of approximately 2 grams of a white, rock-like substance.

He was released from Southbury police custody while on the scene and issued a vehicle violation summons. The court hearing is scheduled for November 12.

State police then took him into custody on the warrant and related charges.

Schwartz was charged with operating while suspended, disobeying an officer’s signal, engaging in a police pursuit, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol/drugs, failure to maintain lane, improper lane separation. highway, following too closely, use of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, second-degree assault with a motor vehicle, first-degree reckless endangerment and interfering with an officer.

He was given bail in the amount of 500,000 dollars.

At the time of the arrest, state police said Schwartz complained of leg pain and was taken to a local hospital for treatment while still in custody.

Schwartz was scheduled to be arraigned in Superior Court in Waterbury on Nov. 1 after his release from the hospital.