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DRUNK DRIVING RAMPANT IN MIDDLETOWN

By DUSTIN RACIOPPI

mtown-police-carThe recurring — and alarming — theme for Middletown’s police officers this week was dealing with alleged drunks crashing into things.

There were five reported car accidents in which the drivers were arrested for driving while intoxicated, said Detective Lieutenant Steve Dollinger in his regular roundup of crime activity. One driver fell asleep at the wheel and hit a parked car, two crashed into utility poles, another man went through a road barrier and another ended up on the side of the road after crashing his vehicle, Dollinger said.

That’s not counting the two incidents of wrong-way drivers.

More reports from MTPD are unedited below.

• On August 7, 2011 at approximately 12:25 am Patrolman Christian Clark responded to the Comfort Inn parking lot in reference to an accident involving a parked car. Upon arrival Officer Clark found the driver of a vehicle, identified as Robert Waters, age 51, from Heron Avenue in Pennsville, NJ, asleep behind the wheel of his vehicle which had struck a parked car.

Officer Clark conducted an investigation which resulted in Waters being arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.

• On August 7, 2011 at approximately 1:25 am Sgt. John Werner was on patrol in the area of Leonardville Road when he observed a vehicle traveling in front of him that was weaving in and out of its lane. Sgt. Werner stopped the vehicle and approached the driver, identified as a 17 year old male juvenile from Manymind Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, at which point he detected an odor of raw Marijuana coming from the vehicle.

Sgt. Werner conducted an investigation and located Marijuana and a grinder, a device used to process Marijuana, inside the vehicle. The officer continued his investigation which resulted in the 17 year old juvenile being arrested for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released to his mother pending a court date.

• On August 7, 2011 at approximately 3:45 am Corporal Ralph Flannigan was on patrol in the area of Middletown Lincroft Road when he observed a vehicle traveling on the wrong side of the road. Officer Flannigan stopped the vehicle and approached the driver, identified as Jose Perez, age 42, from Altamont Road in Edison, NJ, and determined that he had been drinking.

Officer Flannigan continued his investigation which resulted in Perez being arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and Careless Driving. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.

• On August 6, 2011 at approximately 3:45 am Patrolman James Beirne and Patrolman Albert Scott responded to the WAWA store in reference to a report of two suspicious people in the parking lot. Upon arrival the officers located the subjects standing near a vehicle. The officers approached the two subjects and conducted an investigation.

The officers determined that there was an outstanding Non-Support warrant issued by the Monmouth County Superior Court for one of the subjects, identified as Gregory Guido, age 49, from Bray Avenue in Middletown. The officers placed Guido under arrest.

While conducting the investigation, the second subject, identified as Lynn Moretti, age 39, from Ocean Avenue in Middletown, NJ, began to yell obscenities at the officers. After she refused to calm down the officers placed her under arrest for Disorderly Conduct. Both subjects were transported to police headquarters for processing.

Moretti was released pending a court date and Guido was held on $67,673.01 bail.

• On August 6, 2011 at approximately 8:50 pm Patrolman Ian May responded to the Foodtown Store in reference to a report of a shoplifter. Upon arrival Officer May was advised by the store manager that he had observed the suspect, identified as James Quirk, age 53, from Pineview Avenue in Keansburg, NJ, place a bottle of Vodka and a can of beer inside a backpack and walk out of the store. The manager stopped Quirk and detained him until the police arrived.

Patrolman May arrested Quirk for Shoplifting and transported him to police headquarters for processing. While at headquarters Officer May located an outstanding Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Court for Quirk’s arrest. He was processed and released after posting $250.00 bail.

• On August 6, 2011 at approximately 7:35 am Patrolman Christian Clark was on patrol in the area of Highway 35 near Navesink River Road when he observed a vehicle make an illegal turn through the barrier. Officer Clark stopped the vehicle and approached the driver, identified as Christopher Hordeman, age 24, from Manfre Court in Freehold, NJ, at which point he detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath.

Officer Clark conducted an investigation which resulted in Hordeman being arrested for Driving While Intoxicated. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.

• On August 6, 2011 at approximately 11:00 pm Patrolman Felipe Benedit responded to the area of McClees Road in reference to a report of a motor vehicle accident involving a car that crashed into a utility police. Upon arrival Officer Benedit located the driver, identified as Candace Ronan, age 22, from Willis Place in Red Bank, NJ, at which point he suspected she may have been operating her vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The officer continued his investigation which resulted in Ronan being arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving. She was transported to police headquarters where she was processed and released pending a court date.

• On August 5, 2011 at approximately 9:10 pm Patrolman Christian Clark was on patrol in the area of Highway 36 in the Navesink section of Middletown when he observed a vehicle pull out of the A&P Shopping Center and begin traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of traffic. The officer observed the vehicle almost strike another car head on.

Officer Clark was able to stop the vehicle near Valley Drive and approached the driver, identified as Eileen Gaestel, age 56, from East Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, at which point he detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her breath.

Officer Clark continued his investigation which resulted in Gaestel being arrested for Driving While Intoxicated. She was transported to police headquarters where she was processed and released pending a court date.

• On August 5, 2011 at approximately 1:45 am Patrolman Thomas Meckier responded to a motor vehicle accident on Murphy Road. Upon arrival the officer located a vehicle lying on its side. The officer located the driver, identified as Robert Brandow, age 20, from Kenneth Terrace East in Middletown, NJ, inside the vehicle at which point he detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath.

Officer Meckier conducted an investigation which resulted in Brandow being arrested Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving and Possession of Alcohol Underage. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.

• On August 5, 2011 at approximately 12:30 am Patrolman Raymond Sofield conducted a motor vehicle stop on Delaware Avenue during which he arrested Joseph Defiglia, age 33, from Delaware Avenue in Middletown, NJ, on a warrant for Robbery which was issued after an incident that occurred at the Sears Store located on Highway 35 on July 29, 2011.

Police say Defiglia had entered the Sears store, loaded a shopping cart full of merchandize and then attempted to leave the store without paying. Store security tried to stop Defiglia at which point h pushed the shopping cart into the security officer causing a minor injury to his ribs and then fled the area.

Defiglia was charged with Robbery and Shoplifting. He was held pending bail.

• On August 5, 2011 at approximately 9:50 am Patrolman Jason Caruso and Patrolman Donald Coates of the Quality of Life Unit and Detective Lieutenant Stephen Dollinger conducted an investigation into the alleged sale of narcotics from a residence on Birchwood Lane.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of Jesse Ballard, age 20, from Birchwood Lane in Middletown, NJ, for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana after police conducted a consent to
search in his room at the residence.

Ballard was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.

• On August 4, 2011 at approximately 8:20 pm Police Officer Lisa Vreeland responded to the Stafford Tire Store located on Highway 35 in reference to a report of trespassers. Upon arrival the officer located two juveniles sitting in a boat located on the property.

Officer Vreeland conducted an investigation which resulted in the arrests of two 16 year old male juveniles, both from Middletown, for Defiant Trespass. Both subjects were transported to police headquarters for processing and were released to their guardians pending a court date.

• On August 4, 2011 at approximately 7:00 pm Patrolman Jason Caruso and Patrolman Donald Coates of the Quality of Life Unit were on patrol in the area of McMahon Park when they observed a vehicle parked near the hockey rink. The officers approached the vehicle at which point they observed one of the occupants, identified as Tara Maier, age 18, from Washington Avenue in Keansburg, NJ, attempt to place a Marijuana grinder, a device used to process Marijuana for smoking, inside the waistband of her pants. The officers also observed Marijuana in a door compartment in plain view.

The officers continued their investigation which resulted in the arrests of Maier and Nicole-Lynn Souza, age 28, from Pineview Avenue in Keansburg, NJ, for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Both subjects were transported to police headquarters where they were processed and released pending a court date.

• On August 4, 2011 at approximately 9:30 pm Patrolman Donald Coates and Patrolman Jason Caruso of the Quality of Life Unit were on patrol in the area of Church Street in Belford when they observed an occupant of a vehicle throw a cigarette out the window. The officers conducted a motor vehicle stop and approached the vehicle at which point they detected an odor of burnt Marijuana
coming from inside the car.

The officers conducted an investigation which resulted in the driver, identified as Justin Damico, age 19, from Evergreen Street in Spotswood, NJ, being arrested for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was transported to police headquarters for processing and was issued an additonal summons for littering. He was released pending a court date.

• On August 4, 2011 at approximately 3:10 am Patrolman Robert Shannon responded to the area of West Front Street in reference to a report of a motor vehicle accident during which a vehicle rolled over and struck a utility pole. Upon arrival the officer located the driver, identified as James Steele, age 26, from Walling Avenue in Belford, NJ, sitting on the ground. The officer approached Steele at which point he detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath.

The officer conducted an investigation which resulted in Steele being arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.

• On August 4, 2011 at approximately 2:10 am Patrolman Richard Fulham was on patrol in the area of Highway 36 when he observed a vehicle weaving in its lane and failing to signal a turn. The officer conducted a motor vehicle stop and approached the driver, identified as Samson Hearn, age 29, from Maple Avenue in Fair Haven, NJ, at which point he detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath.

The officer conducted an investigation which resulted in Hearn being arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.

• On August 3, 2011 at approximately 7:05 pm Patrolman Michael Pintilie and Patrolman Anthony Dellatacoma responded to a report of a shoplifting at the Staples Store located on Highway 35. While in route to the store a description of the vehicle used in the shoplifting was given out to responding officers. Officer Dellatacoma spotted the vehicle on Palmer Avenue and conducted a motor vehicle stop.

The officers conducted an investigation which resulted in the driver of the car, identified as Tracy Kiernan, age 31, from Avenue A in Keansburg, NJ, being arrested for Shoplifting. The officers  continued their investigation and discovered the vehicle contained merchandise that was also stolen from a store in Holmdel and Suboxene Pills which the suspect did not have a prescription for.

Kiernan was transported to police headquarters where she was charged with Shoplifting and Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Legend Drug. She was held on $1,500.00 bail with no 10% option set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• On August 3, 2011 at approximately 4:35 PM Patrolman Donald Coates and Patrolman Jason Caruso of the Quality of Life Unit were on patrol in the area of the McMahon Park Hockey Ring when they observed a subject sitting in one of the dug-outs.

The officers approached the subject, identified as a 17 year old male juvenile from Morningside Avenue in Keansburg, NJ, and observed Marijuana on his lap. The officers arrested the juvenile and transported him to police headquarters where he was charged with Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was processed and released pending a court date.

• On August 3, 2011 at approximately 4:50 am Patrolman James Beirne and Patrolman Richard Fulham were on patrol in the area of the 7-11 store located on Highway 35 when he stopped a vehicle
for having a rear light out. The officers approached the vehicle at which point they observed a clear plastic baggie containing Marijuana on the rear floor in plain view.

The officers conducted an investigation which resulted in Armand Lecomte, age 24, from Wickersham Lane in Austin, Texas, being arrested for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana. He was processed and released pending a court date.

• On August 2, 2011 at approximately 1:45 pm Patrolman Keith Hirschbein was on patrol in the area of the Henry Hudson Trail when he observed a group of juveniles sitting on a bench. The officer walked towards the group at which point he observed one of the juveniles, identified as a 17 year old male from Hudson Avenue in Middletown, NJ, attempt to hide a bottle of Vodka and a clear plastic baggie containing Marijuana under a table.

Officer Hirscbein retrieved the bag and conducted an investigation which resulted in the juvenile being arrested Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Underage Possession of Alcohol. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released to his mother pending a court date.

• On August 2, 2011 at approximately 3:50 am Patrolman John Soltysik and Patrolman David Crenshaw responded to the area of Seabreeze Avenue in reference to a report of a disturbance. Upon arrival the officers were conducting an investigation when one of the suspects, identified as Luis Ramirez, age 44, from Seabreeze Avenue in Middletown, NJ, began to yell and scream. The officers
issued numerous warnings to Ramirez to calm down.

The officers continued their investigation and determined there were numerous outstanding Contempt of Court warrants from various municipal courts for Ramirez’s arrest. The officers attempted to place him under arrest at which point he began to fight with the officers and spit on them. The officers were able to take him into custody after a brief struggle.

Ramirez was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with Aggravated Assault on Police Officers, Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing the Administration of Law, Throwing Bodily Fluids at a Law Enforcement Officer, Terroristic Threats and Contempt of Court. He was being held on $25,000.00 with no 10% option.

The Middletown Police Department reports the arrests of the following subjects for various offenses:

Roberto Ramirez, age 27, arrested on August 3, 2011 by Patrolman Darrin Simon on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was released after posting $300.00 bail.

Lindsey Nadolny, age 22, from Main Street in Belford, NJ, arrested on August 2, 2011 by Patrolman Thomas Russo on a Contempt of Court warrant. She was released after posting $89.00 bail.

Rashon Martin, age 22, from Brainard Avenue in Port Monmouth, NJ, arrested on August 2, 2011 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was released after posting $689.00 bail.

On August 2, 2011 Patrolman Brian Dilworth arrested a 16 year old from Valley Drive in Navesink, NJ, for Simple Assault and Resisting Arrest. She was released pending a court date.

Vincent Marchese, age 26, from Ocean Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on August 3, 2011 by Patrolman Frank Mazza for Simple Assault. He was released pending a court date.

On August 3, 2011 Patrolman Joseph Alhemeyer arrested a 17 year old female from Michael Drive in Middletown for Simple Assault. She was released pending a court date.

On August 3, 2011 Patrolman Frank Mazza arrested a 16 year old female from Locust Terrace in Middletown for Obstructing the Administration of Law and Disorderly Conduct.

Lynn Moretti, age 39, from Ocean Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on August 3, 2011 by Patrolman Stephen Keller for Simple Assault. She was released pending a court date.

Timothy Perkins, age 52, from Bay Avenue in Leonardo, NJ, arrested on August 4, 2011 by Patrolman Carl Roth on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was held on $1,000.00 bail.

Wallace Baynes, age 59, from Prospect Avenue in Navesink, NJ, arrested on August 4, 2011 by Patrolman Charles Higgins on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was held on $1,000.00 bail.

Elliot Gonzalez, age 31, from Millstone Road in Somerset, NJ, arrested on August 4, 2011 by Patrolman Frank Mazza on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the New Brunswick Municipal Court. He was released after posting $500.00 bail.

Joseph Yannibelli, age 34, from Day Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on August 7, 2011 by Patrolman James Beirne on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Little Egg Harbor Municipal Court. He was held on $500.00 bail.

David Isaksen, age 35, from Leonard Avenue in Leonardo, NJ, arrested on August 7, 2011 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein on a Contempt of Court warrant out of Middletown Municipal Court. He was released after posting $1062.00 bail.

Wayne Carhart, age 32, from Harmony Road in Middletown, NJ, arrested on August 6, 2011 by Sgt. William Colangelo on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was released after posting $1,000.00 bail.

Andrea Guttadauro, age 25, from Tatum Drive in Middletown, NJ, arrested on August 5, 2011 by Patrolman John Soltysik on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. She was released after posting $250.00 bail.

Nicholas Sipsis, age 20, from Campbell Avenue in Port Monmouth, NJ, arrested by Patrolman Donald Coates and Patrolman Jason Caruso of the Quality of Life Unit on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was held on $750.00 bail.

Roberto Ramirez, age 41, from Seabreeze Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on August 5, 2011 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Newark Municipal Court. He was released on his own recognizance pending a court date.

Joseph Hughes, age 19, from Oak Street in Keansburg, NJ, arrested on August 5, 2011 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was released on his own recognizance pending a court date.

Dana Glisson, age 30, from 11th Avenue in Neptune, NJ, arrested on August 5, 2011 by Patrolman Kevin Gardiner on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. She was released after posting $1,000.00 bail.

John Moran, age 42, from Clubhouse Drive in Middletown, NJ, arrested on August 8, 2011 by Patrolman Michael Reuter for Simple Assault, Unlawful Possession of a Handgun and Unlawful Possession of Armor Piercing Bullets. He was held on $29,500.00 bail with no 10% option set by Judge Richard Thompson.

Cliff Desiderio, age 36, from Clubhouse Drive in Middletown, NJ, arrested on August 7, 2011 by Patrolman John Mele on two Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Keansburg Municipal Court. He was released after posting $235.00 bail.

Remember: Nothing makes a Red Bank friend happier than to hear "I saw you on Red Bank Green!"
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