In Cedar Grove: Driver Hits Deer, Keyed Car and Driving While Intoxicated

Editor’s Note: The following incidents are taken directly from the Cedar Grove Police Blotter, which may not include the full scope of police activity in the area. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

On Wednesday, April 8, at 4:26 a.m., police responded to West Lindsley Road on a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a deer. A subsequent investigation revealed the involved vehicle, a 2005 Buick, had been traveling east on West Lindsley when a deer ran into the side of his vehicle. The vehicle sustained side body damage and the deer ran off into a wooded area. Due to the large deer population in the area, motorists are urged to use caution when operating near wooded areas, especially between dusk and dawn.

On Wednesday, April 8, at 5:49 p.m., police arrested a Township man on a charge he was operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. The 43 year-old defendant, Vadim Vitkovskiy, was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Ptl. Jose Rodriguez was the arresting officer.

On Wednesday, April 8, at 9:52 p.m., a Pompton Avenue resident reported an act of criminal mischief to her parked motor vehicle. The victim stated that some unknown person(s) had ‘keyed’ the driver’s side door to her 2012 Toyota causing damage. Cost to repair the damage was unknown at the time of report.

On Sunday, April 12, at 7:28 p.m., police received numerous reports of a motor vehicle being operated erratically in a Pompton Avenue parking lot. Ptl. Jose Rodriguez located and stopped the involved vehicle, at which point he detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on the driver’s breath, along with signs of impairment. Following a series of standardized field sobriety tests, officers arrested the 34 year-old operator, Jose Koneski of Paterson, on a charge of driving while intoxicated. The defendant was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Ptl. Christopher Heck was the arresting officer.

On Monday, April 13, at 2:44 a.m., Ptl. Michael Passafiume initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed speeding violation. As the officer secured the operator’s credentials, he detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on the man’s breath, along with signs of impairment. Following a series of standardized field sobriety tests, the officer arrested the 46 year-old operator, Zenon Boczek of Verona, on a charge of driving while intoxicated. The defendant was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.