DWI Driver Crashes Porsche Into Woods, Found Asleep Behind Wheel In Basking Ridge: Blotter

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A driver found asleep behind the wheel of a luxury car that crashed into the woods was charged with driving while intoxicated, according to the Bernards Township Police blotter.

On Oct. 13, Officer Alec McCrea was patrolling the area of Tall Timber Lane when he saw a gray Porche Panamera that crashed off the roadway into the woods.

McCrea approached the vehicle where he was met with the vehicle's driver, Thomas Kopczynski, who was asleep behind the wheel of the vehicle, according to the blotter.

After an investigation, Kopczynski showed signs of intoxication, and he was placed under arrest for DWI, according to the blotter.

Kopczynski was taken back to police headquarters for processing before being released to a responsible party with an upcoming court date.

Other police blotter items for the month of October.

During October, Bernards Township Police officers responded to 28 motor vehicle crashes. There were four injuries reported, and 27 motor vehicle summonses were issued.

On Oct. 1: A resident of Spruce Street reported to police that she fell victim to a lottery scam. The victim reported that the fraudsters instructed her to mail them a check after informing her that she won a large sum of money in a sweepstakes. The victim further reported that she wired the fraudsters additional money as instructed to claim her alleged prize. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Oct. 2: Police responded to a home on Queenberry Way for a report of a residential burglary. Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into the home and stole various valuables. If anyone has any information or witnessed any suspicious activity, contact the police department. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Oct. 5 at around 7:05 p.m.: Police responded to a home on Somerville Road on a report of a theft of a motor vehicle in progress. Upon arrival, the reporting party stated that two men, one wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and another that he was unable to describe, attempted to enter his vehicle which was parked in his driveway. The reporting party stated that when his vehicle’s alarm system went off both men fled his property before police arrived. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Oct. 5: A resident of Dorchester Drive reported an incident of criminal mischief. The caller reported that unknown suspect(s) threw eggs at their home. No damage to the home was reported by the victim.

On Oct. 7: A person came to police headquarters to report that an unknown suspect(s) had written a check in the victim's name. The victim reported to police that a fraudulent check was clearly altered. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Oct. 10: A person came to police headquarters to report that an unknown suspect(s) had gained access to multiple credit cards in the victim's name. The victim reported that the credit cards were fraudulently used to purchase goods in various locations. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Oct. 10 at around 3:27 p.m.: Officer Bryson Buchanan was driving on King George Road when he saw a black Mitsubishi Galant with an equipment violation. Buchanan conducted a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle. The driver, Lyn'nete Webb, of Stirling, was found to have an active traffic warrant out of Newark, and the front seat passenger, Aniyah Needham, of Irvington, was found to have an active traffic warrant out of East Orange. Both occupants were arrested on scene by police. Officers contacted Newark and East Orange who issued both arrestees new court dates and both parties were released on scene.

On Oct. 13 at 12:44 p.m.: Officer Alec McCrea was patrolling Allen Road when he saw a gray Volkswagen Passat commit a moving violation. McCrea conducted a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle and the driver Cheryl Cibak. McCrea saw signs of intoxication and impairment from Cibak and after an investigation conducted by McCrea, Cibak was arrested on scene for DWI. Cibak was taken back to police headquarters where she was processed. Cibak was released from police custody to a responsible party with an upcoming court date.

On Oct. 13 at 4:59 a.m.: Police went to a home on Homestead Road for a residential burglary. Upon arrival, the victim stated she was house-sitting for a friend when she believed she heard an unknown number of suspects on a different floor of the home. When police arrived, they found signs of entry into the home along with missing valuables. If anyone has any information or witnessed any suspicious activity, contact the police department. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Oct. 15 at 5:31 p.m.: Police went to a home on Baldwin Court on a report of a theft. Police met with the victim who stated she ordered goods from an online store and received a notification that her package was delivered today while they were not home. When the victim returned home, they saw that the package was stolen from their front porch. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Oct. 18 at around 11:58 a.m.: Police went to a home on Coddington Court regarding a theft. Once on scene, the victim said that they removed their child's car seat from their vehicle and left it by their back garage door. When they returned home the car seat was missing. The victim reported to police that they checked their security cameras, and a man is seen leaving the property with the alleged car seat. The man is seen wearing light-colored pants, a gray hooded sweatshirt, and appears to be driving a gray transit van. If anyone has any information or witnessed any suspicious activity, contact the police department. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Oct. 20: Corporal Zolnierowski was patrolling the area of Martinsville Road near Interstate 78. While patrolling Zolnierowski saw a grey Mitsubishi Lancer with an equipment violation. Zolnierowski conducted a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle and the vehicle’s driver, Emmanuel Larios, out of New York, NY. After an investigation, Emmanuel was found to have an active traffic warrant issued by the New Jersey State Police(NJSP) out of Franklin. Emmanuel was arrested on scene by police. Officers contacted the NJSP who issued Emmanuel a new court date and he was released from custody on scene.

On Oct. 22 at 12:12 p.m.: Police responded to the Stop and Shop on a report of shoplifting that was currently not in progress. Staff informed police that on Oct. 21 at 7:45 p.m. an unknown man entered the store, stole baby formula, and exited the store. Per staff, footage captured on scene, the suspect appears to be a black man wearing a distinct half-black/half-white t-shirt, blue jeans, black and white Nike sneakers, and a gray baseball hat with a large white logo on the front of it. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Oct. 24 at 5:45 p.m.: Police responded to a home on Jamestown Road for a report of a motor vehicle theft. The victim stated her Acura MDX was stolen from in front of her residence and a white Roadmaster bicycle was left behind where her vehicle was formally parked. Police responded to the incident to process and document the incident. If anyone has any information or witnessed any suspicious activity, contact the police department. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

The Bernard’s Township Police would like to continue to remind everyone to report suspicious activity observed by calling 908-766-1122. Please keep vehicles locked, without the keys in them and valuables out of sight. Please confirm all suspicious calls/emails/texts/messages requesting monetary payments with law enforcement or banking officials before sending funds.

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