DWI Arrests, Report Of Hot Air Balloon Crash In Montgomery

MONTGOMERY, NJ — A report of a hot air balloon crash, DWI arrests, and car theft were reported recently, according to the Montgomery Police blotter.

On Sept. 22 at 8:34 p.m.: Montgomery Police Officers Ryan Martinez and Troy Gonzalez
encountered a vehicle in a ditch on Route 206 near Montfort Drive. Officers spoke with the driver,
Edward Parker, 56, of Middletown. While speaking with Parker, Officers determined Parker had
consumed alcoholic beverages before driving, and he was subsequently arrested for driving while
intoxicated. Parker was taken to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital – Somerset for a medical
evaluation. In addition to DWI, Parker was also charged with failing to maintain lane, reckless
driving, careless driving, and uninsured motorist. Parker is scheduled to appear in Montgomery
Municipal Court.

Montgomery Police issued Rainbow Smoke Shop a complaint for selling flavored vape products. The
township received complaints about flavored vapes being offered for sale at the location. The owner,
Neel Patel, was advised of the violation. Patel is scheduled to appear in Montgomery Municipal
Court.

On Sept. 25: Montgomery Police received a theft report from Kenvue on Grandview Road. An
air conditioner, valued at $1,000, was stolen from a building on the property. The detective
bureau is investigating.

On Sept. 27 at 8:10 a.m.: Montgomery Police received a report of a hot air balloon crash on
Harvest Moon Court. Police responded and determined the pilot of the balloon safely landed in a
yard on Harvest Moon Court after receiving permission from the homeowner.

On Oct. 2 at 11:27 p.m.: Montgomery Police were dispatched to Grandview Road after Somerset County Communications received an automatic crash notification. Officers made contact with Jaclyn Harding, 37, of Skillman, and determined Harding hit a utility pole while backing out of a neighbor’s driveway. Police determined Harding had consumed alcoholic beverages before driving
and subsequently arrested her for driving while intoxicated. Harding was taken to MTPD HQ for
processing. In addition to DWI, Harding was charged with reckless driving, careless driving, leaving
the scene of an accident, and failure to report an accident. Harding was released and is scheduled to
appear in Montgomery Municipal Court.

On Oct. 6: Montgomery Police responded to Hartwick Drive for a disorderly person. Two residents of the Montgomery Crossing Apartments reported that another resident was aggressively yelling at them from his balcony while they were in the parking lot. Police made contact with the resident and cautioned him about his behavior.

On Oct. 10: Montgomery Police received a report of a vehicle stolen from an Augusta Court residence. The victim reported their 2024 BMW was stolen from the driveway overnight. The vehicle was located in Newark later that morning. Later that day, a second resident from Planters Row reported their 2018 Porsche was stolen from their driveway. The detective bureau is investigating. Residents are reminded to remove all valuables, including vehicle fobs and keys, from their cars and lock them each evening.

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