DWI Driver Falls Asleep At Route 202 Intersection In Raritan: Blotter

RARITAN, NJ — The latest Raritan Police blotter includes stolen vehicles and arrests for driving while intoxicated and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Raritan Borough Police Blotter:

On April 10: A Whitehouse Station resident reported that her 2018 Dodge Journey had been stolen from the Raritan Train Station. Officers subsequently placed a stolen vehicle alert on the Dodge. On April 15, the Linden Police Department advised they had located the vehicle on a street in their jurisdiction and the interior of the vehicle had been set on fire. An investigation is ongoing.

On April 10: Officers were dispatched to a residence on Frelinghuysen Ave for a report of an attempted burglary. While conducting an investigation, officers determined that someone had tried to pry open the door to the residence. The homeowner estimated the damage to the door to be around $550. An investigation is ongoing.

On April 11: A resident of Bencer Court in the Stonebridge Apartment Complex reported their 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit had been stolen overnight. An investigation is ongoing.

On April 11 at 10:51 a.m.: Samantha Pennant, 32, of Plainfield, was arrested for hindering apprehension and resisting arrest. Pennant was found sleeping in the Raritan Train Station and provided officers with a false name to conceal a warrant that she had for her arrest. Pennant was wanted by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office on a first-degree charge of manufacturing a controlled dangerous substance. While being placed under arrest, Pennant actively resisted being taken into custody. Pennant was later given to the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office and lodged in the Middlesex County Jail.

On April 11 at 9:24 p.m.: Cristina Winn, 55, of Emmett, Idaho, was arrested for driving while intoxicated following a motor vehicle stop on Route 202. Winn was also charged with failing to observe a traffic signal, careless driving, reckless driving, driving with a suspended driver’s license, possession of an open container of alcohol and refusing to submit a breath sample. Winn was later released pending a court appearance.

On April 15: A resident of Santora Drive in the Stonebridge Apartment Complex reported someone stolen around $9,500 worth of jewelry from her residence between March 9 and April 7. An investigation is ongoing.

On April 16 at 9:42 p.m.: Tony Alexander, 56, of Bridgewater, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia following a traffic stop on Old York Road. Alexander was also charged with driving with a suspended driver’s license due to a previous driving while intoxicated charge. Alexander was later released pending a court appearance.

On April 18: A 39-year-old Dunellen man was arrested for contempt of a court order. The man was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

On April 21 at 3:07 p.m.: Officers were dispatched to the intersection of Route 202 and First Ave on a report of a man who had fallen asleep in his vehicle while stopped at the traffic light. On scene, officers determined that Alexander Scheffer, 35, of Somerville, had fallen asleep while driving and was intoxicated. Scheffer was charged with driving while intoxicated and later released pending a court appearance.

On April 21: A Colby Avenue resident reported their 2020 Dodge Durango had been stolen. The vehicle was parked on Colby Avenue with the victim’s purse and keys inside. An investigation is ongoing and police are in the process of identifying a suspect(s).

"We would like to remind the public to remove all valuable belongings from your vehicles," said Raritan Borough Police.

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