6 DWI Arrests, 6 Catalytic Converters Stolen In Bridgewater

Editor's Note: One or more names in this report have been redacted in light of additional documentation provided regarding this case.

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A total of six people were charged with driving while intoxicated and six catalytic converter thefts were reported in January.

Bridgewater Police Blotter:

On Jan. 2 at around 1:21 p.m.: A 41-year-old from North Plainfield, was stopped for shoplifting at Costco, located at 325 Promenade Boulevard. The man stole store merchandise valued at $81.95. A complaint summons was completed and he was released with a pending court appearance.

On Jan. 2 at around 11:52 p.m.: In the area of Finderne Avenue and Sunny Slope Road, officers stopped a 2022 Volkswagen Jetta operated by Rodirgo Fernandes, 43, of Bridgewater for failure to maintain lane. Fernandes was arrested on the scene for DWI and issued the following summonses: driving while intoxicated, refusal to submit to breath testing, careless driving, and failure to maintain lane.

On Jan. 3 at around 12:21 p.m.: A dog training table, valued at $160, was stolen from the parking lot of the Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital located at 830 Rt. 202/206. Claire Comes, 25, of Randolph, was arrested after an investigation was conducted. Comes was charged with theft and was released with a pending a court date.

On Jan. 3 at around 4:59 p.m.: Officers responded to the CVS located at 230 Milltown Road for a hit-and-run crash. The victim advised a pickup truck hit their vehicle while driving in the intersection of Route 202 and Milltown Road. Officers located a 2012 Ford F- 250, operated by Christopher J. Frost, 55, of Branchburgh, in the parking lot of Branchburg Funeral Home located at 910 Rt. 202 Branchburg. Frost was arrested for DWI and issued the following summonses: driving while intoxicated (DWI), careless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and failure to report an accident. Frost was released with a pending court appearance.

On Jan. 7 at around 12:34 a.m.: Officer responded to the area of 1226 Washington Valley Road for a wrong-way driver. Officers located a 2013 Acura MDX operated by Andres Alonso Valenciano-Rojas, 39, of Piscataway, stopped facing west in the eastbound lane. Valenciano-Rojas was arrested for DWI and issued the following summonses: driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, careless driving, open container in a motor vehicle and improper parking. Valenciano-Rojas was released with a pending court appearance.

On Jan. 12 at around 1:37 a.m.: Joseph Dinkelacker, 30, of Edison, was arrested for DWI after a motor vehicle stop on Route 22 west. Dinkelacker was issued the following summonses: driving while intoxicated, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving, and careless driving. Dinkelacker was released with a pending court appearance.

On Jan. 12 at around 1:36 p.m.: Kimberly A. Smith, 28, of Somerville, was stopped for shoplifting at Target, located at 200 Promenade Boulevard. Smith stole store merchandise valued at $108.12. A complaint summons was completed and she was released with a pending court appearance.

On Jan. 13 at around 9:30 p.m.: Officers responded to the area of 649 East Main Street for a single-vehicle crash. Officers located and arrested the operator, Albert K Salmorin Jr., 37, of Bridgewater. Salmorin Jr. was issued summonses for driving while intoxicated, careless driving and refusing to submit to breath testing. Salmorin Jr. was released with a pending court appearance.

On Jan. 14: A resident from Williamson Court reported the catalytic converter had been stolen from their 2013 Volkswagen Jetta, sometime during the overnight hours. The vehicle was parked in the residential parking lot of Williamson Court.

On Jan. 14: A resident of Dilts Lane reported the catalytic converter had been stolen from their 2007 Toyota Prius, sometime during the overnight hours. The vehicle was parked in the residential parking lot of Dilts Lane.

On Jan. 14: A resident of Riddle Court reported the catalytic converter had been stolen from their 2008 Toyota Prius, sometime during the overnight hours. The vehicle was parked in the residential parking lot of Riddle Court.

On Jan. 15 at around 4:38 p.m.: William Whitlock, 59, of Newark, was arrested for shoplifting and providing false information to the police. Whitlock stole $840 of store merchandise. Whitlock was charged with shoplifting and hindering with a pending court appearance. Whitlock was taken to Somerset County Jail on an outstanding warrant out of Essex County.

On Jan. 15: A resident of Marcia Way reported the catalytic converter had been stolen from their 2006 Honda Accord, sometime during the overnight hours. The vehicle was parked in the residential parking lot of Marcia Way.

On Jan. 15: A resident of Chestnut Street reported the catalytic converter had been stolen from their 2008 Volkswagen Beetle, sometime during the overnight hours.

On Jan. 16: A resident from Marsillo Court reported the catalytic converter had been stolen from their 2007 Honda Accord, sometime during the overnight hours. The vehicle was parked in the residential parking lot of Marsillo Court.

On Jan. 18: A 2011 Toyota Prius and a 2005 Toyota Prius owned by Somerset County 4H had its catalytic converter stolen. The vehicles were parked in a parking lot of Milltown Road.

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On Jan. 21 at around 2:04 a.m.: A victim of Warren Avenue reported their vehicle had been burglarized while parked in their driveway. The victim advised someone entered their unlocked vehicle and rummaged through the glove box.

On Jan. 20 at around 7:49 p.m.: Omaru Massaquoi, 52, of North Brunswick, was arrested for DWI after a motor vehicle crash investigation at the intersection of Finderne Avenue and East Main Street. Massaquoi was issued the following summonses: driving while intoxicated, careless driving, reckless driving, and failure to yield the right of way at an intersection. Massaquoi was released with a pending court appearance.

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