Garwood Drunk Driver Was Nearly 4 Times Over Limit: Police

GARWOOD, NJ — A Garwood local was caught driving drunk, with a blood alcohol content of almost four times the legal limit, police said.

Just after 7 p.m. on Sept. 21 a caller reported to police that there was a suspicious white man believed to be intoxicated inside a blue Dodge four-door vehicle on the 300 block of Second Avenue, Garwood Police report.

Officer Todd Herz and Sgt. John Wright arrived and saw a vehicle matching the description trying to leave the scene. The car was stopped and during the investigation Marc B. Atkins, 32, of Garwood was arrested for DWI, police said.

Atkins was transported to headquarters where he submitted samples of his breath for testing. Atkins blood alcohol content was reportedly 0.30 percent, where the New Jersey limit is 0.08 percent. That is nearly four times over the limit.

He was issued several summons including DWI, careless driving, and operating a motor vehicle with an open container and released pending his date in municipal court, police said.

Other Garwood Police blotter items:

On Sept. 24 at 5:51 p.m.: The property manager of 400 North Avenue reported a vehicle belonging to a former tenant had been observed parking on the property without permission and he believed the vehicle owner is sleeping in the car. While on patrol Police Officer Edward Mironski and Sgt. Philip Lewis saw the vehicle in the lot and approached finding it occupied by the registered owner. During the investigation the officers placed the vehicle owner, Mariah Lewis, 22, of Garwood under arrest for multiple active warrants out of Union Township totaling $3,250. Lewis was transported to headquarters where she posted bail and was released pending her date in Union Municipal Court. Lewis was given a warning for trespassing with no further complaints issued.

On Sept. 26 at 1:54 p.m.: The officer observed a white GMC van cross over a double solid yellow line on the 200 block of North Avenue heading west bound and initiated a motor vehicle stop. During the subsequent investigation the operator of the vehicle, Nareiek Barnes, was found to have an open no-bail warrant for his arrest out of Newark and his passenger, Travis M.Smith, 40, of Newark was in possession of a marijuana cigarette. Both were placed under arrest and transported to headquarters. Barnes was released to the custody of Newark Police on the outstanding warrant and Smith was issued a complaint for possession of controlled dangerous substance(CDS) under 50 grams. Smith was released pending his appearance in Garwood Municipal Court.

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