Basking Ridge Man Charged With Scratching Car At Supermarket

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A Basking Ridge man was charged for criminal mischief on Jan. 2 at 6:30 p.m.

Steven Merkel, 52, of Basking Ridge was arrested by Officer England after he used a sharp object to scratch the vehicle of a customer of the Stop & Shop at the Lyons Mall, police report.

He was charged on a summons and released.

Other Bernards Township Police blotter items:

On Dec. 29 at 7 p.m.: Mark Herklotz, 65, of Basking Ridge was arrested for possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose by Officer Aboosamara after he confronted another man while unlawfully possessing a handgun. Herklotz was arrested and charged. He was lodged in Somerset County Jail.

On Jan. 3 at 11:05 p.m.: Brett Cullinan and Catherine Chujak, both 38, of the Broadway section of Franklin Township in Warren County residents were arrested for drug possession after being stopped by Officer Zolnierowski for driving an uninspected vehicle. During the stop heroin, syringes, and other paraphernalia were discovered. Both were charged and released pending a court appearance.

On Jan. 8 at 10:55 p.m.: Darren Curtis, 46, of Newark was arrested for DWI for driving on Lyons Road when his vehicle became disabled. While Officer Zolnierowski was assisting him, it was determined that he was impaired. He was charged and released pending a court appearance.

(Image via Google Maps)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.