Cops: Sex Offender Tries to Enter Car of Woman with 2 Kids

A man with an extensive criminal history spanning Connecticut and five additional states was arrested Monday, Dec. 10, after he allegedly tried to enter the vehicle of a woman traveling with two children, Darien police announced Monday, Dec. 17.

Police said at approximately 3:40 p.m. on the 10th, a suspect they identified as Gary Shurtleff, with an address of Pacific St. Shelter in Stamford, attempted to open the car door of a female Darien resident as she was stopped at a traffic light at Post Rd. and Tokeneke Rd.The woman had two children in the vehicle with her at the time of the alleged incident.

The woman immediately drove away and contacted police, giving them a description of Shurtleff, police said. According to authorities, he was spotted exiting a Dunkin Donuts in close proximity to the location where the incident allegedly occurred and began walking in the opposite direction of officers on patrol when he spotted them.

Police said Shurtleff initially identified himself as Roger Moore, then Gary Moore. He admitted his true identity after being placed under arrest, police said, and that was when they discovered Shurtleff is a registered sex offender in the state of Connecticut and had 34 prior arrests here, as well as arrest records in California, Florida, Maryland, New York and Virginia.

Shurtleff was charged with breach of the peace and interfering with an officer, and held in lieu of a $250.00 bond. He was presented for arraignment in Stamford Superior court on December 11th.