Psychic Victim of Assault, 'Test Drive' Leads to Narcotics Arrest

Test drive leads to narcotics charges

A Bridgeport resident, and a Westport woman who told police she was in the process of purchasing a vehicle, were arrested on narcotics charges on May 5.

According to , officers on patrol noticed a 1993 Honda Civic in a parking lot on South Main St. just after 10 p.m. Thursday night. The lot was marked with a “No Trespassing” sign, and police went to investigate. When approached by the officers, a passenger in the car, identified as Christopher Lewis, 30, of Clinton Ave., Bridgeport, told police “We was just chilling.” At that point, an officer noticed that the ignition of the vehicle was punched out from the steering column and was hanging under the driver’s side dashboard, police said. A registration check indicated the vehicle had not been reported stolen.

By way of explaining why she didn’t have keys to the vehicle, the driver, Stephanie L. Bernier, 20, of Lee Lane in Westport, told police she was in the process of purchasing the car from a “Justin Miller” whom she said lives in Bridgeport.  According to police, Bernier told them Lewis was her boyfriend and she was in Norwalk to pick him up from a friend’s house on Chestnut St.  Police said Bernier told the officers she did not have identification because her wallet had recently been stolen.

Officers noticed crack cocaine on the floor of the vehicle and, as they were preparing to handcuff Lewis, he made an attempt to run away. He was tackled after a few feet, but continued to struggle with officers. An officer was slightly injured in the scuffle.

Because the incident took place approximately 1,200 feet from , both Lewis and Bernier were charged with sale/possession within distance of school, possession of narcotics, third degree criminal trespass and conspiracy. Lewis was also charged with interfering with an officer. Bond was set at $20,000 for each. The pair was released and they are scheduled to appear in court on May 16.

Assault victim's mother says attack is part of a pattern of harassment

At 2:43 a.m. on May 6, police responded to the emergency room of Norwalk Hospital where a 22-year-old woman was being treated for injuries she said were sustained on May 5.

According to police, the victim told them she was preparing to do a psychic reading in her office when Janet Lee, Steve Cola and a 17-year-old male barged through the door and began to attack her. Police said the victim told them Lee, 36, of Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, and Cola, 39, of Wolfpit Ave., Norwalk, told her to keep her mouth shut or they would return and kill her.

 Police said the victim’s mother told them this is part of a pattern of harassment by Cola, whom she said owns another psychic establishment.

According to police records, on June 9, 2010, Cola and the youth were involved in a fight with Nino Miller, who is related to the victim. Both men were charged with second degree breach of peace, third degree assault and second degree threatening.

In connection with the June fight, Miller, 23, was charged with second degree breach of peace, third degree assault and second degree, according to police.

Norwalk police said Cola has had 10 “involvements” with police since 2006.

No charges have been filed in connection with the recent incident.

Burglary on River Road

A River Road resident reported that over the past four months he and his wife have discovered jewelry and coins missing from their home. No value was given for the missing items. Police are conducting an investigation.