Washington Township Police Blotter

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Any individual arrested is presumed to be innocent until adjudication by a court.

10/20/03	6:30 PM	BURGLARY A Bartley Road resident reported their home was burglarized.  Patrol Officer Wallenstein responded to initiate an investigation.  Detective Sergeant Pellegrino and the Morris County Sheriff's Department K-9 Unit also responded to the scene.  The residence was processed for evidence, and the investigation was turned over to Detective Sergeant Pellegrino. The investigation determined a number of items, including jewelry, were taken. The investigation is continuing.
10/20/03	7:40 AM	STRUCTURE FIRE A Kings Highway business reported that the building was on fire and an employee was possibly suffering from smoke inhalation.  Sergeant First Class Brader, Sergeant Adams, Sergeant Compton, Corporal Barnes, the Fairmont Fire Company, the Schooley's Mountain Fire Protection Association, the Long Valley Fire Department and First Aid Squad and the Budd Lake Fire Department responded to the scene.  MICU 57 (Mobile Intensive Care Unit) from Hackettstown Community Hospital responded to the scene. Detective Sergeant Pellegrino responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. The Morris County Prosecutor's Office Arson/environmental Crimes Unit responded in accordance with Prosecutor's Office Guidelines.  The fire was quickly extinguished, and the employee, a 47 year old resident of Stroudsburg, PA., was treated by the Long Valley First Aid Squad and MICU 57, and refused transportation to the hospital. Investigation determined the fire was accidental. See the NEWS Section for pictures and the press release
10/18/03	1:00AM	PATROL ARREST (Warrant) Patrol Officer Burns arrested a 21 year old male resident of Budd Lake, NJ on a contempt of court warrant issued by Washington Township Municipal Court.  Bail on the warrant was set at $500.  The individual was transported to Headquarters, processed and released on bail pending adjudication.
10/17/03	6:31 AM	BURGLARY A Pleasant t Grove Road Resident called to report a prowler in their house.  Sergeant First Class Brader, Sergeant Almer, and Corporal Szymanski responded to the scene to apprehend the individual and initiate an investigation. The individual was not at the premises upon their arrival.  The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Canine Unit responded to assist in the investigation.  Detective Oranchak responded to the scene to continue the investigation and process the scene for evidence.  The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Canine Unit was unable to locate the prowler.  The resident indicated that nothing appeared to have been taken.  Detective Oranchak  is continuing the investigation.  Anyone with any additional information is urged to contact Detective Oranchak
10/15/03	Various	HEAVY WINDS Patrol Officers responded to a number of calls during the day involving limbs and trees down due to high winds.  Some of the areas affected were Turtleback Road, Bartley Road, East Avenue, West Mill Road, Farmers Road, Schooley’s Mountain Road, Middle Valley Road, Drakestown Road, Pleasant Grove Road, Hacklebarney Road Black River Road, and Markham Drive.  The Washington Township Road Department cleared the roadways from a number of trees that were brought down by the winds. The traffic signal at the intersection of Bartley and Naughright Roads lost power and the Washington Township Road Department supplied a generator to power the intersection until normal power could be restored.
10/13/03	4:10 PM	PATROL ARREST (Warrant) Sergeant Almer arrested a 23 year old male resident of Milford PA on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Allamuchy Township Court, on Schooley’s Mountain Road, after the individual was involved in a minor motor vehicle accident.  The individual was released after posting the $248 bail.
10/13/03	8:21 PM	HARASSMENT A West Springtown Road resident called to report that they have been receiving harassing phone calls.  Patrol Officer Bigham responded to initiate an investigation.  Patrol Officer Bigham determined who made the calls and when, and advised the complainant what options were available, and the procedures involved, to end the harassment.
10/13/03	12:24 PM	FRAUD A Schooley’s Mountain Road resident reported that they were the victim of fraud.  Patrol Officer Gilligan initiated an investigation and determined the validity of the resident’s complaint and facts.  The resident was advised as to the action available to them, and indicated that they would file a criminal complaint.
10/11/03	05:17 AM	PATROL ARREST (Consumption of Alcohol Underage) Patrol Officer Brobst, assisted by Corporal Carvino, arrested an 18 year old female resident of Bloomingdale, NJ for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol while underage, after stopping the driver for speeding on Route 46. The vehicle was impounded in accordance with “John’s Law” and the driver was transported to police Headquarters for processing and a breathalyzer test. The driver was additionally charged with speeding, and was released to a responsible party.
10/11/03	9:03 PM	PATROL ARREST (Warrant) Patrol Officer Brobst arrested a 61 year old male resident of Hackettstown on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Washington Township Court.  The individual was unable to post the $750 bail and was transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility, where he was incarcerated.
10/10/03	12:00 PM	BAD CHECKS An employee of a Schooley’s Mountain Road business reported that the business received several checks, totaling $1015, that were returned for insufficient funds.  The employee indicated that they have made several attempts to contact the issuer of the checks without success.  Patrol Officer Falleni initiated an investigation and determined the validity of the resident’s complaint and facts.  The resident indicated that they would file a criminal complaint.
10/10/03	12:30 PM	BAD CHECKS An employee of a Route 46 business reported that the business received a check that was returned for insufficient funds.  The employee indicated that they have attempted to contact the issuer of the checks without success.  Patrol Officer Falleni initiated an investigation and determined the validity of the resident’s complaint and facts.  The resident indicated that they would file a criminal complaint.
10/09/03	7:19 PM	CRIMINAL MISCHIEF A resident of Buttzville, NJ reported that their vehicle was damaged at Hastings Square.  Patrol Officer Wurtemberg responded and initiated an investigation.  .  Patrol Officer Wurtemberg determined the driver’s side window of a 1999 GMC pickup was deliberately broken.