Vehicle theft crew back in the area
On Monday, July 5, at approximately 10:44 a.m., Sparta Dispatch received a call from a resident of Alpine Trail that someone was attempting to steal their vehicle from their driveway. The resident gave a description of a young male who got into a white Volvo C60 containing other occupants and fled the area, heading on West Shore Trail towards White Deer Plaza. Patrols were dispatched to the area, and Detective Brian Hassloch located the white Volvo C60 stopped on the shoulder of West Shore Trail.
Officer Thomas Herd provided backup assistance, and both units attempted to stop the vehicle. Officer Herd activated his emergency lights and the vehicle took off, eventually making its way to Route 15 south toward Route 80.
Officer Herd called ahead to notify other towns and returned to Sparta. There were later reports that the New Jersey State Police observed the same white Volvo on Route 280 east and the vehicle made its way into Newark.
Hassloch observed a young male who exited the Volvo on West Shore Trail and ran into the wooded area behind the residences. It was later determined that the male had been attempting to steal a vehicle parked in a driveway on West Shore Trail.
Additional units responded and began searching the wooded area for the suspect. The Sussex County Sheriff’s Canine and the Maywood Canine units were called and responded to the scene to assist. After about an hour, with officers searching West Shore Trail and the backside of the wooded area, which came out onto Sparta Avenue by Sparta Commons, a passing motorist advised Cpl. David Pridham that he observed a young male walking on Sparta Avenue by Fox Run. The motorist assisted Cpl. Pridham and provided the location of the suspect. Cpl. Pridham confronted the suspect and took him into custody. After returning to Sparta Police headquarters, it was learned that the suspect was a 15-year-old from Newark, N.J.
The suspect was processed and turned over to the Essex County Sheriff’s Department on a probation violation from a prior weapons offense. It was also confirmed that the white Volvo C60 had been reported stolen out of New York. It is very likely that these vehicle theft crews are being directed by the criminal gangs, out of Newark, to steal high-end vehicles that can be re-sold or shipped overseas for extremely high prices.
There were no indications that weapons were used during these attempted vehicle thefts, but there have been other reported thefts in the state where weapons were used.
“If you observe someone attempting to steal your vehicle or anyone else’s vehicle, immediately dial 911 and do not attempt to stop these suspects, who may be armed and dangerous,” says a statement by the Sparta Police. “Please be vigilant and report any activity that looks suspicious.
“We, again, advise everyone to lock their vehicles and keep the keys or fobs in your residence. These vehicle theft crews are coming out in broad daylight and are not afraid of confrontation. They are out in towns throughout our state on a daily basis and they will steal someone’s vehicle, try and make sure that it’s not yours.”
Driver charged with DWI after running red light
On July 11 at approximately 1:30 a.m., Sgt. Frank Schomp of the Sparta Police Department observed a black Jeep go through a red light on Sparta Junction. Upon stopping the vehicle, Sgt. Schomp suspected the driver, Cory Reinhardt, 30, of Ogdensburg, N.J., to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage.
Officer Chris Botta arrived on scene and took over the DWI investigation. After completion of field sobriety tests, Reinhardt was placed under arrest and transported to Sparta Police headquarters for processing.
After completion of breath testing, Reinhardt was charged with DWI, Careless Driving, and Failure to Observe Traffic Signal. He was advised of a mandatory court appearance and released to a sober adult.