Traffic stop leads to wrong-way driving and drug bust

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

They identified the driver as 51-year-old Robert Schwarz of New Milford.

Robert Schwarz was arrested on a list of charges, including wrong-way driving, according… — Robert Schwarz was arrested on a list of charges, including wrong-way driving, according to state police.(Connecticut State Police)

A Southbury police officer reported that the driver of a gray Volkswagen Passat was traveling north on Bucks Hill Road in Southbury with the interior lights on on October 29 around 10:30 p.m.

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

The officer followed the Passat and conducted a DMV query on the Connecticut registration displayed on the vehicle.

The DMV query revealed that the car was actually registered to a red Toyota Tacoma, state police said.

As a result of the registration discrepancy, the officer activated the emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop.

However, the driver of the Passat refused to stop, according to the state police.

He continued north on Main Street North in Southbury and then came to an abrupt stop, troopers said.

Once stopped, the Southbury officer approached the vehicle and observed an adult male driver, identified as Schwarz, and an adult female passenger.

During the investigation, the officer discovered that state police had an active arrest warrant for Schwarz, which was related to a wrong-way driving incident in Waterbury in June.

The DMV query also revealed that Schwarz had a suspended driver’s license

Additional deputies and officers responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.

Given the strength of the arrest warrant, Schwarz was ordered to exit the vehicle and placed in handcuffs.

A search of his home in connection with the arrest revealed approximately 2 grams of a white rock-like substance on Schwarz.

He was released from police custody in Southbury while at the scene and issued a summons for a list of motor vehicle violations. An arraignment was scheduled for November 12.

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

Schwarz was charged with illegal activity under suspension, disobeying an officer’s signal, participating in a police pursuit, illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, failure to drive in the proper lane, driving the wrong way on a divided road . 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 a $500,000 bond.

During the arrest proceedings, state police said Schwarz complained of leg pain and was transported to a local hospital for treatment while still in custody

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