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DARIEN, Conn. A Darien man working the gate at Weed Beach was charged with keeping money that non-residents paid to visit the beach.
The town charges a daily fee of $40 for non-residents to enter Darien beaches. According to police, John Dugdale, 54, was working the gate and keeping the money paid by the visitors and issuing fake receipts. Police estimate that he pocketed a total of $320.
Police said that his actions were noted by a fellow employee of Securitas, the private security firm that provides gatehouse attendants to town beaches. The employee then notified the Darien Parks and Recreation Department. According to police, Dugdale admitted to the thefts when questioned. A warrant was issued for his arrest and he turned himself in. He was charged with second-degree larceny and released on a promise to appear in court July 30.
Also in the Darien police blotter:
A Darien man was charged with driving while intoxicated after police said he fell asleep at the wheel while stopped at a traffic light on the night of July 16.
According to police reports, an officer spotted a van stopped at a traffic light near the exit 11 off-ramp of I-95. Police said the van did not move once the light turned green. The officer reported finding Maximo Reyes, 33, of Darien, asleep at the wheel with the keys in the ignition and the engine running.
Police said that the officer had difficulty waking Reyes, and, once the man did regain consciousness, the vehicle began moving forward. The officer reached into the car, put it in park and removed the keys. Reyes failed his field sobriety test and was arrested. He posted a $250 bond and will go to court July 27.
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