21 Arrests Made by Washington Twp. Police in February

Despite the frigid temperatures and constantly accumulating snow, Washington Township Police again had their hands full in February, notching nearly two-dozen.

The department made a total of 21 arrests in the 28-day month, and fielded 2,567 calls. A call constitutes any incident a police officer may report to, including a motor vehicle stop, house alarm, or drug arrest.

Among those calls were 430 motor vehicle violations, up from 379 in January. The increase in and of itself is large, but was an even bigger jump than expected considering the weather, Lt. Doug Compton said.

Among the arrests were four for driving while intoxicated, eight for controlled dangerous substance, and nine for a variety of other offenses, including warrants and domestic violence issues.

Most notably in February was the arrest of Justin Rathfon, a convicted sex offender who was living in Long Valley without registering with authorities. He was found on West Mill Road and in possession of a rifle, police said.

Also included in those arrests was Anthony Faratro, who crashed his car on a Schooley’s Mountain residence’s front lawn when he was allegedly high on heroin.

The township’s newest police officer, Ryan Olah, accounted for four of the month’s arrests: two for drugs and two more for driving while intoxicated, Compton said. Also joining him on a big month was Officer Kevin Barnes, Compton said.

The squad’s K9 Cliff was not put into action in February.

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