Madison Police Blotter: Man Charged with DWI in School Zone, Madison Man Charged with Simple Assault

In the latest police blotter from the Madison Borough Police Department, a man was charged with driving while intoxicated in a school zone and another man was charged with criminal mischief for allegedly pulling down an American flag mounted to a pole outside the Public Safety Complex.

On April 15, 2015 at 9:53 pm, Ptl. Patrick Strafaci arrested a 51 year old resident of Chatham. While Ptl. Strafaci was stopped in eastbound traffic on Main Street, he heard a loud crash and quickly realized a car, several behind him, was just rear-ended. When Strafaci responded to investigate the crash he determined that the suspect allegedly struck the rear of a white BMW which was also stopped on Main Street for the red light. While Strafaci was speaking with the drivers he detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage on the suspect’s breath. It was determined the suspect was operating his vehicle under the influence of alcoholic beverage over the legal limit. The suspect was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Driving While Intoxicated in a School Zone, and Careless Driving. The suspect was released to a friend pending his appearance in the Madison Municipal Court. There were no reported injuries reported from the accident.

On April 18, 2015 at 1:03 am, Ptl. Joseph DiRocco arrested a 26 year old resident of Chatham. Dispatcher Joseph Mittermaier was monitoring the camera system outside police headquarters when he observed the suspect allegedly pulling down an American flag mounted to a pole outside the Public Safety Complex. Ptl. DiRocco quickly responded and apprehended the suspect a short distance from police headquarters. The suspect was charged with Criminal Mischief and released on his own recognizance pending an appearance in the Madison Municipal Court.

On April 20, 2015 at 11:02 pm, Ptl. Patrick Strafaci arrested a 31 year old resident of Madison. Strafaci along with other Madison officers responded to a Chapel Street residence on a reported assault. When officers arrived they learned that the suspect allegedly punched at least two people at the residence then possibly damaged a vehicle parked in the driveway. The suspect was charged with two counts of Simple Assault and released on his own recognizance pending an appearance in the Madison Municipal Court.

On April 21, 2015 at 10:55 pm, Ptl. Bart Glab arrested a 19 year old resident of Newark and a 20 year old resident of Madison. Ptl. Glab observed the 20 year old suspect commit an alleged motor vehicle violation while traveling on Main Street. When Ptl. Glab stopped the suspect for the violation, he detected the odor of marijuana from inside the vehicle. Glab subsequently located marijuana in the vehicle. The pair was charged with Possession of less than 50 grams of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia. Both individuals were released on their own recognizance pending an appearance in the Madison Municipal Court.

On April 23, 2015 at 12:33 am, Ptl. Patrick Strafaci arrested a 44 year old resident of Madison. Strafaci responded to Drew University, on a reported intoxicated driver on campus. Upon Strafaci’s arrival a public safety officer stated she was almost struck head-on by the suspect. While Strafaci was speaking to the suspect regarding this, he confirmed that the suspect had been consuming alcoholic beverages. Strafaci concluded the suspect was operating her vehicle while under the influence of alcohol above the legal limit. The suspect was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Driving While Intoxicated on School Property, and Reckless Driving. The suspect was released to the custody of a friend pending her appearance in the Madison Municipal Court.

The Madison Police Department has responded on 77 medical calls, 25 motor vehicle crashes and 63 activated alarms in April.