W. Caldwell Police Make 2 DWI Arrests in 2 Hours

In a span of less than two hours, the West Caldwell Police Department made two DWI arrests last week.

According to Chief Michael Bramhall, officer Patrick Cooper witnessed a vehicle unable to stay within its lane while heading westbound on Bloomfield Avenue Friday night at about 11:20 p.m.

After stopping the vehicle near Johnson Avenue, Cooper realized the driver, Zachary Keator, was under the influence of alcohol. Keator, 22, of Lincoln Park, was charged with DWI and "several moving violations," Bramhall said. Keator is scheduled to appear in court April 28.

Less than two hours later, officer Greg Ruesch witnessed another vehicle also unable to stay within its lane traveling northbound on Passaic Avenue.

Ruesch pulled over Luis Herrera, 33, of West Paterson, near Fairfield Avenue Saturday at about 1 a.m. Ruesch found Herrera to be under the influence of alcohol, Bramhall said.

Herrera was also charged with DWI and moving violations, Bramhall said. Herrera is scheduled to appear in court April 28.

"It was a little unusual to have two incidents in such a short period of time," Bramhall said. "Both vehicles failed to maintain their position in their respective lanes. It was good work on the officers' part recognizing something was up and taking action."

Bramhall said the department made 18 DWI arrests in 2009, but typically averages about two a month and 24 a year.

"This time of year traffic definitely increases," Bramhall said. "There are more people out doing recreational activities and taking advantage of the nice weather. But our DWI arrests are typically spread out evenly through the year."