Drunken Driver Threatens Fight with Mahwah PD, Cops Say

For the second time this week, a DWI in Mahwah led to an altercation between an accused drunken driver and the Mahwah Police.

According to Mahwah Police Chief Jim Batelli, Officer Ryan Hill stopped a car driving on Route 17 South at 3 a.m. Friday for “several moving violations.”

The driver, who initially provided cops with a false identification, smelled of alcohol, prompting a voluntary search of the vehicle, Batelli said.

Cops found spice, a type of synthetic marijuana, in the car, and several open containers of alcohol, Batelli said.

During a subsequent investigation, cops found that the driver was actually Joseph Mann, 24, of Deer Park, N.Y., and that he had a suspended license and several warrants out for his arrest, police said.

A passenger in the car also falsely identified himself to police, Batelli said. Cops determined his true identity to be Scott Walker, 29, a Port Jervis, N.Y. man who also had outstanding warrants out for his arrest, Batelli said.

During an interview, “Walker became belligerent, and [threatened] to fight with the officer,” Batelli said.

As a result of the incident, Mann was charged with hindering apprehension, a DWI, refusal to submit to a breathalyzer, and several motor vehicle violations, and Walker was charged with hindering apprehension and disorderly conduct, Batelli said.

A second passenger in the car, Sheldon Cooper, 28, of Port Jervis, N.Y., was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, Batelli said.

New Jersey State Police, who issued the warrants for Mann’s and Walker’s arrests, have taken custody of the two defendants, police said. 

Earlier this week, Mahwah Police apprehended an alleged drunk driver who they say kicked and attempted to urinate on a police officer.