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Business Reporter

Dirk Perrefort

I’m a senior reporter who has spent more than 15 years covering the region including stints as a court reporter as well as providing political coverage for the Danbury area. I am currently a business writer with The News-Times covering everything from the corporate world in the greater Danbury area to economic issues, the jobs picture and small businesses.

Stories By Dirk Perrefort

DANBURY — Police are searching for a woman dressed in a nursing uniform who has been stealing from area assisted living facilities during the past week. Chief Patrick Ridenhour confirmed Friday that detectives are investigating reports of a black... By Dirk Perrefort

Disagreement with prostitute leads to Danbury police chase

DANBURY — Police chased down a suspect believed to be armed with a gun through downtown streets recently after a disagreement between a prostitute and her client. Police were called to the area of Frankin Street — less than a block from the... By Dirk Perrefort

REDDING — The sentencing of former school chairwoman Sara Sobel was delayed Monday after she asked the court to seal letters and other documents provided on her behalf. The package of information included letters from supporters, Sobel’s own... By Dirk Perrefort

Danbury detective calls quick response to stabbing ‘part of the job’

DANBURY — Detective Len LaBonia didn’t hesitate to act recently when he saw blood dripping from a man’s chest after a stabbing on Main Street. Driving an unmarked police car, LaBonia was about halfway into his shift on Wednesday afternoon when he... By Dirk Perrefort

REDDING — Former school board chairwoman Sarah Sobel is facing up to 10 years in prison when she is sentenced Monday for providing pornographic photos and videos of a young child to a convicted sex offender. Sobel pleaded guilty in August under... By Dirk Perrefort

DANBURY - Police have identified the woman who died earlier this week after being hit by a car while walking across Franklin Street in the heart of the city’s downtown. Authorities have identified the woman as Clemencia Guallpa, 71, as the woman... By Dirk Perrefort

Police need help identifying pedestrian killed in Danbury

DANBURY — An unidentified woman who died after being hit by a car early Thursday is the third pedestrian killed in the city in the past two months. Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the woman, who was crossing Franklin Street... By Dirk Perrefort

NEW MILFORD - A family of four is temporarily homeless after a fire engulfed their apartment early Thursday morning. The fire began around 4 a.m. in a legal apartment that was located above a detached garage on Kent Road. The people who were... By Dirk Perrefort

Funeral services set for Bridgeport woman killed on Route 8

Relatives of a Bridgeport woman killed recently when she was struck by a truck purportedly owned by Newtown Electric have already raised more than $2,000 for her funeral expenses. Police said Tuesday they continue to investigate last week’s... By Dirk Perrefort

Bethel police promotions show it’s not just a man’s world anymore

BETHEL — More women have been elevated to leadership positions within area law enforcement departments in recent years at a time when more females are entering the field. In Bethel, two of the three promotions announced this week were earned by... By Dirk Perrefort

Witnesses: Plane nosedived from clouds, broke up before crash

DANBURY — A plane that plummeted into the Atlantic Ocean last week killing all three people aboard, including Ridgefield attorney Richard Terbrusch, appeared to have an instrument failure shortly before the accident. But some experts believe,... By Dirk Perrefort

DANBURY — Police have confirmed the identity of a 43-year-old city man who was killed after being struck by a car on White Street over the weekend. Police said the incident occurred shortly before 2 a.m. on Sunday when Jose Yupangui, 43, was... By Dirk Perrefort

BROOKFIELD — An East Hartford man who died after a boating accident Sunday was an avid fisherman who operated his own home improvement business. Officials have identified Gary Hayes, 48, as the person who died after a boat capsized Sunday on... By Jim Shay and Dirk Perrefort

Teenagers sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for fellow Danbury teen’s death

DANBURY — For family members of Gabriel Bardo — a young man killed last year over a $30 bag of marijuana — the image of him dying alone on the side of the road on that summer night still haunts them. Their grief palpable, the family came together... By Dirk Perrefort

Ridgefield lawyer died in plane crash off L.I.

A Ridgefield attorney was among the victims in the weekend plane crash off Long Island. Authorities confirmed Tuesday that town resident Richard Terbrusch, 53, was among three people killed Saturday when a Piper PA-34 went down over the Atlantic... By Dirk Perrefort

Bethel police move into new headquarters

BETHEL — Police officers began the complex task Tuesday of moving into their new headquarters on Judd Avenue. “Originally we were planning to move out by the end of August but the day has finally arrived,” said Police Chief Jeffrey Finch. “From... By Dirk Perrefort

Ridgefield man, Ga. teacher among dead in plane crash

DANBURY — Officials have yet to say what prompted a flight instructor to stop Saturday at Danbury Muncipal Airport before a fatal crash off Long Island that killed both the instructor and two passengers. Authorities have identified 41-year-old... By Dirk Perrefort

Newtown residents tour proposed police HQ

NEWTOWN — Police officials looking for a new headquarters gave residents a tour Saturday of the existing department and their proposed new home on South Main Street. The tours of both buildings, which were held from 10 a.m. to noon, were part of... By Dirk Perrefort

RIDGEFIELD - Route 7 will be closed for some time this afternoon after significant winds took down a utility pole and several trees just north of Branchville. Police said it will likely take several hours and well into the afternoon before the... By Dirk Perrefort

Overtime pays for Danbury cop shortage; officer earned $38,000 extra in six months

DANBURY — Some police officers in the city are racking up nearly 50 percent of their salary in overtime pay as the department struggles to hire enough officers. The top earning patrolman has already made more than $38,000 in overtime in the first... By Dirk Perrefort