Driver Apparently Sleeps Through Engine Fire

A Greenwich man who police say fell asleep at the wheel of his car which caught fire was arrested for driving while intoxicated.

According to a Greenwich Police report, officers investigating a complaint that a car parked on Pemberwick Road about 5:30 a.m. June 17 was "making a weird" noise saw "a huge cloud of smoke coming from the engine area" of the car. They found the driver "sleeping and with his foot pressing down on the accelerator. Numerous attempts were made to wake the operator ... but he was unresponsive and snoring loudly."

The driver, identified as Lavar J. Ferguson, 34, of 8 Peck Ave., Greenwich, "finally woke up approximately 15 to 20 minutes after the arrival of (the Greenwich Fire Department) and medics," according to the report. Ferguson had an odor of alcohol, red and glassy eyes, slurred speech and failed sobriety tests, according to the report.

He was released after posting $250 bond and scheduled to appear July 2 in state Superior Court in Stamford.

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A Meriden man has been arrested on charges he tried to cash a fraudelent check at a local bank back in February.

According to a Greenwich Police report, Daron Cochrane, 23, of 323 Coe Ave., Merident, was arrested June 18 on sixth-degree larceny, third-degree forgery and criminal attempt at fourth-degree larceny in connection with the Feb. 19 incident. He was released after posting $500 bond and scheduled to appear June 25 in state Superior Court in Stamford.

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