The information contained in this Police Blotter has been compiled and released at the discretion of the West Milford Twp. Police Department and does not represent the entire scope of activity for the time period. However, in the spirit of transparency, the Police Department strives to release all information that can be released without compromising ongoing investigations or causing unnecessary harm to victims.
DWI arrestOn Jan. 1 at about 3:21 p.m., West Milford Police received a report of a motor vehicle accident on Route 23 North near the Ramsey Corp.
The caller alerted police that the driver may be intoxicated. Upon Officer James Fulton’s arrival to the scene, a small child was seated in the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was changing the tire and he was identified as Michael Metzger, 45, of Hewitt, NJ.
While speaking with the driver, the officer observed signs of intoxication. After failing sobriety tests, the accused was placed under arrest for DWI.
He was transported to headquarters where he was processed and charged with DWI, DWI with a minor in vehicle, reckless driving, failure to maintain a lane, leaving the scene of an accident, and failure to report an accident. The accused and the child were released to a family member.
DWI arrestOn Jan. 6 at about 1:04 a.m., West Milford Police Officer Michael Onembo observed the driver of a Chevy Tahoe having difficulty maintaining its lane on Route 23 North.
The driver was stopped on Route 23 North and Clinton Road and was identified as John Stewart, 44, of Highland Lakes, NJ.
After speaking with the driver, the officer observed signs of intoxication. The driver was asked to step out of the vehicle to perform sobriety tests. After failing the tests the driver was placed under arrest for DWI and transported to police headquarters for processing.
At headquarters the accused refused to submit samples of his breath for testing purposes. He was charged with DWI, refusal to submit samples of his breath and failure to maintain a lane of travel. He was released to a family member with a future court date pending in West Milford Municipal Court.
DWI arrestOn Jan. 15, at about 10:27 a.m., West Milford Police responded to the Bald Eagle Commons on a report of a hit and run involving an intoxicated driver.
A vehicle description was given and Officer Andrew Petrucelli located the vehicle and the driver in the Shoprite parking lot. The driver was identified as Diana Conklin, 57, of Teaneck, NJ.
After exhibiting signs of intoxication and failing sobriety tests, the driver was placed under arrest for DWI.
She was transported to police headquarters and processed. She was issued summonses for DWI, consumption in a motor vehicle, open container and reckless driving.
The accused was released to a friend and is awaiting her first appearance in municipal court.
CDS ARRESTOn Jan. 15, at about 3:20 p.m., West Milford Police Officer Michael Onembo conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 23 South near the Smoke Rise entrance.
The driver of the vehicle failed to keep right on a two-lane highway. Upon speaking with the driver, the officer smelled an odor of raw marijuana coming from within the vehicle. After locating the marijuana, the front-seat passenger, identified as Jake Pepe, 36, of New York, NY, admitted the marijuana was his.
He was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and released on a summons.