Felon with guns
A stop for a minor traffic violation resulted in a convicted felon being arrested for weapons and drug charges. A police DUI patrol on Dec. 28 pulled over a vehicle for rolling through a stop sign near Success Avenue and Granfield Avenue. According to police the driver, Jonathan Latta, 28, of Stratford appeared nervous and there was a smell of marijuana. A K-9 unit was brought to the scene and it alerted on the car. In the car police found narcotics, a 380-caliber handgun and ammunition. Latta was charged with possession of narcotics with intent to sell, carrying a gun without a permit, weapons in a vehicle, criminal possession of a firearm, and criminal possession of body armor. The passenger in the car, Stefon Taylor, 27, of Bridgeport, was charged with weapons in a motor vehicle, illegal possession of narcotics with intent to sell and carrying a gun without a permit.
Paintballs on property
Police responded to a call of a disturbance on Woodend Road on Dec. 27 where they saw paint splattered in the area and a complainant said she heard loud bangs. An investigation led police to the home of Jordan E. Taylor, 19, of Bates Street where they saw similar splattered paint swatches. Police say Taylor had been warned to stay away from Woodend Road residences. Police arrested Taylor and charged him with criminal trespass, criminal mischief, breach of peach, and reckless endangerment.
Attacking a police officer
Responding to a report of a suspicious person hanging around Avalon apartments on Cutspring Road at 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, police searched a building there. Police say a man, Jason Claus, 35, of Shelton, jumped out of a door, growled and attacked an officer. Claus was quickly subdued and taken into custody, according to the police report. He was charged with assaulting a peace officer, interfering with an officer, and disorderly conduct.
Strangulation
Police arrested Akida McKnight, 38, of Stratford on Dec. 31 after he reportedly got into a domestic fight with his wife over her watching TV in the morning and him smoking pot in the morning. The police report says McKnight and his wife taunted each other and he choked her. Police charged McKnight with strangulation, assault and impairing the morals of a minor.
Shoplifting, assault
Janet Pereira, 46, of Bridgeport was charged with shoplifting at Walmart on Dec. 31 after she allegedly returned an empty box and got money applied to a gift card. After getting a description of Pereira from store employees and a store video, police searched the area and spotted the suspect on E. Main Street. She was charged with robbery, larceny and assault because she allegedly fought and attempted to bite a security guard.