Man arrested for DUI twice since July 1

WINSTED >> Though he’s new to town, Jonathan W. Bennett has gotten to know Winchester police fairly well since his first appearance in the police blotter in earlier this year.

Since the beginning of July, Bennett has been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a suspended license twice.

Though Police Chief Robert Scannell says he doesn’t think arrests for driving under the influence are on the rise in Winsted, Bennett has had his share of encounters with the with this particular offense.

“He just showed up on our radar recently,” Scannell said. “The first time I saw him was two-to-three weeks ago.”

Since 2007, Bennett has been arrested at least six times, according to court records, in Torrington, Danielson, New London, and Winchester. Each of his arrests have been for one of three offenses, including driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, and speeding.

His most recent arrest was made July 19 for an incident that lead to an officer pursuit. Accord-

ing by Sgt. Tom Kenney, around 4 p.m. on that evening, each officer on patrol had been given a description and picture of Bennett because he was wanted for a violation of probation.

“We were looking for him earlier in the day,” Kenney said. “One of our guys spotted him after roll call.”

While responding to a call on a different matter, Officer Daniel Pietrafesa saw Bennett on a Harley Davidson in the company of a young woman.

After a short low speed pursuit, Bennett was apprehended. Though the woman, Alicia Kerr, was released at the scene, she told the officers she and Bennett were returning from an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and that they both had been drinking.

Pietrafesa administered a few sobriety tests then arrested Bennett. He charged with driving under the influence, operating a vehicle without a license and pursuing in a police chase.

According to the police report, Kenney was present for the end of the pursuit and arrest.

“Within two weeks he was just arrested I think,” Kenney said. “I know he just got popped not long ago.”

The arrest Kenney was referring to occurred on July 8 when Bennett was charged with speeding, criminal impersonation, interfering with an officer, resisting arrest and his usual DUI and driving with a suspended license.

Bennett has been arrested throughout the state for the same offenses. He’s currently being held on a $25,000 bond for both of the his July arrests.

He was transported to Bantam Superior court on July 21 and is schedule to appear in court again in August.