Police: Drunk Driver Caused Gas Leak

April 18

Criminal mischief, 9:03 a.m. — Someone broke five windows at Pioneer Machine & Tool on East Broadway, police said. Chips on the wall of the building indicate rocks were thrown at the building from nearby train tracks.

Arrest/Wanted Person (vehicle theft), 6:16 p.m. — A resident of Evergreen Circle reported his 2003 Subaru was stolen and told police he had lent the car to his friend, Samuel Richardson, 25, of Dallas, OR, who never returned it, according to a report. A theft charge was signed against Richardson by the victim. Washington D.C. Police located the car, being driven by James Speaks, of Washington, D.C., and arrested him. Richardson remains a wanted person, police said.

April 20

Arrest (DWI), 9:51 p.m. — Police arrested Jeffrey To, 24, of Philadelphia, for driving while intoxicated after he ran over a traffic cone in a repaving/construction zone on Route 73, according to a report. To was also charged with reckless driving.

April 21

Arrest (DWI), 2:58 a.m. — Police arrested Phillip J. Laplaca, 29, of Maple Shade, during a motor vehicle stop on Route 73 North. Laplaca was charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, making an improper right turn, failure to wear a seat belt and refusal to submit to breath tests, police said.

April 28

Arrest (DUI), 2:30 a.m. — Police arrested Michael Bendel, 34, of Maple Shade, for driving under the influence and reckless driving after he ran over a traffic cone on Route 73 during a repaving operation, according to a report.

April 29

Arrest (possession of marijuana), 1:02 a.m. — Police arrested Nickolas R. Carrera, 25, of Maple Shade, after he was stopped for speeding on West Main Street. The stop resulted in Carrera being arrested for possession of marijuana, speeding and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, according to a report.

Vehicle theft, 4:20 p.m. — A green 1999 Suzuki GSX Synergy motorcycle, NJ registration W398V, was stolen from Sherman Path, police said.

Arrest (DUI), 9:57 p.m. — Police arrested Jaime Veletanga, 32, of Sunflower Path after he struck six other vehicles on Sunflower Path, according to a report. Police said Veletanga was driving under the influence when he struck the vehicles, one of which was pushed into a gas main, causing a leak. Maple Shade and Lenola fire departments responded, along with PSEG, and residents were temporarily evacuated until the gas was shut off. Veletanga was charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, driving without a license and driving an uninsured vehicle.

Information provided by Maple Shade Police. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.