In Cedar Grove: Many suspended licenses, DWI and Drug arrest

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 1, at 5:12 p.m., Ptl. Christopher Heck initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation. A subsequent check of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) computer revealed the operator’s driving privileges were under suspension. The 22 year-old operator, Matthew D. Culbertson of West Orange, was arrested on the charge and transported to police headquarters for processing. A check of the Automated Complaint System (ACS) revealed Culbertson was also wanted on an outstanding warrant issued by the Cedar Grove Court. He was processed on all charges and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

On Wednesday, April 1, at 7:22 p.m., Ptl. Jason Rivers initiated a motor vehicle stop for observed speeding and erratic driving violations. 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 53 year-old operator, Brian T. Decastro of South Orange, on a charge of driving while intoxicated. The defendant was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

On Wednesday, April 1, at 8:40 p.m., police arrested a Verona woman on charges she was operating a motor vehicle bearing a suspended NJ registration while her NJ driving privileges were under suspension. The 39 year-old defendant, Lisa Tomasi, was processed on the charges at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. The defendant’s vehicle, a 2003 Toyota, was impounded. Ptl. Christopher Heck was the arresting officer.

On Thursday, April 2, at 1:20 a.m., police arrested a Verona man on charges he was operating a motor vehicle while his NJ driving privileges were both expired and under suspension. It was also determined the 33 year-old defendant, Darrian Merza, was wanted on an outstanding traffic warrant issued by the Wayne Court. Merza was processed on all charges at police headquarters turned over to the Wayne Police on their warrant. Ptl. Jason Rivers was investigating officer.

On Friday, April 3, at 9:47 a.m., Ptl. Joseph Russomanno initiated a motor vehicle stop for observed violations. A subsequent check of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) computer revealed the operator’s driving privileges were under suspension. The 23 year-old operator, Patrice E. Lindsay of Newark, was arrested on the charge and transported to headquarters. A check of the Automated Traffic System (ATS) revealed Lindsay was also wanted on an outstanding warrant issued by the East Orange Court. The defendant was processed and released pending court appearances in Cedar Grove and East Orange.

On Friday, April 3, at 11:29 p.m., Ptl. John Smigelsky initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of a vehicle passenger after it was determined the subject was wanted on outstanding warrants issued by the Clifton and Cedar Grove Courts. The 23 year-old defendant, Timothy M. Daigger, was processed at police headquarters and turned over to the Clifton Police on their warrant.

On Saturday, April 4, at 12:42 a.m., Ptl. Raymond Cassella initiated a motor vehicle stop after observing a speeding vehicle being operated in an erratic manner. 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 30 year-old operator, David G. Romano of Cedar Grove, on a charge of driving while intoxicated. Subsequent to arrest, Romano was found to be in possession of CDS cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and a tactical knife under circumstances not manifestly appropriate for such possession. The defendant was processed on all charges at police headquarters and released pending a Superior Court Arraignment in Newark on April 15.

On Saturday, April 4, at 4:26 p.m., police arrested a Township man on charges he was operating a motor vehicle while his NJ driving privileges were both expired and under suspension. The 39 year-old defendant, Frances J. Kovats, was processed on the charges at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Sgt. Frank Pumphrey was the arresting officer.

On Saturday, April 4, at 11 p.m., Ptl. Nicole O’Halloran initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed speeding violation. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the operator on a charge he was operating the vehicle while his NY driving privileges were under suspension. The 25 year-old defendant, Enrique R. Lebron Malave of East Elmhurst, NY, was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.