Crime & Safety

Cops: Stamford DWI Checkpoint Leads to Carjacking Arrest

On Friday night, Stamford police officers conducting a sobriety checkpoint in conjunction with Darien and State Police Departments and made five arrests, the most surprising of which was the arrest of a 22-year-old Stamford man on charges of carjacking and robbery.

According to Sgt. Andrew Gallagher, police stopped a vehicle on Friday, Nov. 22, carrying a man identified as Michael K. Banks, as well as the operator of the vehicle, identified as the victim as they conducted their checkpoint between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 2:15 a.m.

Banks allegedly entered the victim's vehicle while it was stopped at a red light on Tresser Boulevard and told the operator he had a gun and to continue driving. Banks then allegedly took the victim's cell phone.

Upon approaching the sobriety checkpoint, Banks allegedly told the victim, the sole occupant, not to alert police or he would cause the victim physical harm, Gallagher said. However, he said the victim did manage to alert the Connecticut State Police sergeant who attempted to interview him.

Banks was detained and found to be in possession of the victim's cellphone, according to Gallagher, who said he was additionally charged with being a fugitive from justice on an outstanding warrant from New Jersey.

52 motorists were ticketed or summoned to court for motor vehicle violations that included the following: 20 counts of operating without a license, three counts of operating under suspension, eight counts of unregistered motor vehicles, eight counts of failure to wear a seat belt, and three counts of possession of marijuana.

The following motorists were charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs:

  • Sherman Owens, 30, Stamford
  • Curtis Brickhouse, 30, Bridgeport 
  • Two arrests were made by Connecticut State Police and their names were not included in the release.
Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Connecticut Department of Transportation had representatives in attendance. Both groups are responsible for the funding of Friday's checkpoint.


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