Milford Police Arrests: DUI, Forgery, Assaulting Police Officers

Audrey Demarinis, 53, of Spruce Street in Milford, was charged March 11 with interfering with police, second-degree breach of peace and two counts of evading responsibility. According to Milford Police, the department received a complaint regarding a motor vehicle accident in a parking lot on the Boston Post Road. An investigation found that Demarinis left the scene of the accident, after she struck two parked vehicles in the lot and caused a disturbance with patrons, police said. Officers located Demarinis at her home where she was taken into custody. Demarinis was uncooperative with officers during their investigation, police said. A $500 bond was set and she is scheduled to appear in court April 8.

Michael Pantoja, 44, of Kenwood Avenue in Fairfield, was charged March 8 with three counts of assault on a police officer, interfering with police, first-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, disobeying an officer's signal, possession of narcotics and possession of marijuana. According to Milford Police, the department's narcotics and vice unit observed suspicious activity involving a vehicle in the parking lot of a Boston Post Road business. During the investigation, detectives report they observed suspected drug materials inside the vehicle involving Pantoja who fled on foot from the officers and then re-entered his vehicle. Pantoja refused to exit the vehicle and operated the car in a reckless manner, which resulted in three detectives suffering minor injuries. Pantoja fled in the vehicle onto Interstate 95. He was located in Fairfield, and taken into custody. Milford Police K9 Judge assisted with the investigation, with the police dog finding crack cocaine and marijuana inside the vehicle. Pantoja was held on a $100,000 bond. 

James Rainieri, 18, of Meadows End Road in Milford, was charged March 7 with first-degree forgery. According to police, on Feb. 18 officers conducted an investigation at 220 Meadows End Road. During the investigation police executed a search warrant and found counterfeit money and equipment used to manufacture it. A total of 38 counterfeit bills — in denominations of $5, $10 and $20 bills — were recovered at a total value of $420. Rainieri was held on a $25,000 bond.

Brandon Bailey, 24, of Cornflower Drive in Milford, was charged March 7 with third-degree assault and second-degree threatening. According to police, officers received a complaint regarding a disturbance at a Cornflower Drive residence. An investigation led to the arrest of Bailey who is accused of striking and threatening his landlord. A $5,000 bond was set and he is scheduled to appear in court April 1. 

Joseph Campano, 48, of Berlin Turnpike in Berlin and Frank Rogers, 52, of Kimberley Avenue in New Haven, were both charged March 9 with second-degree breach of peace. According to police, officers received a complaint regarding a larceny that occurred the Rite-Aid on Boston Post Road, which involved a fight in the parking lot. An investigation found that Campano took several items valued at $432.27 without paying for them and left the store. Campano then entered a vehicle being driven by Rogers, an acquaintance he drove there with, police said. As employees attempted to retrieve the stolen merchandise, Rogers and Campano being fighting with each other, when Campano struck Rogers with a bottle. Police say Rogers claimed he was unaware that Campano was taking items from the store. Campano was additionally charged with sixth-degree larceny and sixth-degree conspiracy to commit larceny. Both men were released on a promise to appear in court April 1.

Yanira Velez, 37, of East Main Street in Bridgeport, was charged March 8 with driving under the influence and operating the wrong way on a one-way street. According to Milford Police, an officer observed a vehicle with a flat tire traveling the wrong way on the one-way section of New Haven Avenue. During the stop of the vehicle, police found that Velez was operating with under the influence of alcohol. Subsequent her arrest, Velez refused a breathalyzer test, police said. A $500 bond was set and she is scheduled to appear in court April 3.