VERNON POLICE

Feb. 23 While traveling north on Route 565, off-duty Vernon Patrolman William Gebhard observed a 1997, gray Saturn also traveling north cross over into the southbound lane and stay in that lane for approximately one-third of a mile. Ptl. Gebhard immediately telephoned Vernon Police headquarters for assistance. He twice observed southbound vehicles stop in their lane of travel and move as far right as possible attempting to avoid being struck head-on by the Saturn. Ptl. Gebhard was able to get the Saturn to pull over and stop by using his horn and flashing his headlights. Investigation at the scene resulted in the arrest of Rebecca J. Carney, 27, of the Tall Timbers Campground section of Vernon Township for driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, consumption of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle, possession of an open container of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle, failure to keep right and failure to wear a seatbelt. At Vernon Police headquarters, she was processed and released to a family friend pending an appearance in Vernon Municipal Court. Her car was towed and held for 12 hours to satisfy the requirements of John’s Law. Feb. 26 While on patrol, Patrolman Shaun Fitzgerald stopped a 1998, blue Chevrolet on Canistear Road in the Highland Lakes section of Vernon Township for having one of its rear lights out. Upon approaching the vehicle, Fitzgerald discovered that the driver, Kenneth P. Sang, 18, of the Cliffwood Lake section of Vernon Township, was eating a mouthful of marijuana. Sang was arrested for driving while intoxicated, possession of a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana), possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of an alcoholic beverage by a person under 21, destruction of evidence, a fourth-degree crime, being under the influence of marijuana, a disorderly persons offense, careless driving, failure to have motor vehicle liability insurance, failure to maintain lights and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle. He was processed at Vernon Police headquarters and released pending an appearance in Sussex County Superior Court and the Vernon Township Municipal Court. Feb. 28 Patrolman James Higgins was dispatched to investigate a report of a one-vehicle crash on Sleepy Hollow Road in Vernon. A 1998 Hyundai Elantra was stuck over the edge of a steep embankment. Its driver, Adam Monroe, 24, of Vernon Township, kept attempting to get the Hyundai back onto the roadway but was only making matters worse. Investigation at the scene resulted in Monroe’s address for possession of drug paraphernalia (syringes) and possession of a controlled dangerous substance (heroin). At Vernon Police headquarters, Monroe was processed and released pending an appearance in Vernon Municipal Court. His Hyundai was towed from the scene. March 1 A resident of the Stonehill condos in Vernon reported to Stonehill security that he had been tailgated for several miles by a brown Ford pickup truck that followed him into the condo complex. Shortly after the arrival of Patrolman Scott Carrell, the 1993, brown Ford ranger pickup passed by the security booth at a high rate of speed. Ptl. Carrell followed it to a remote corner of the main parking lot where the pickup could travel no farther. Investigation at the scene resulted in the arrest of the driver, Christopher P. Vantassel, 29, of the Powderhorn section of the Stonehill condos in Vernon for driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana). At Vernon Police headquarters, Vantassel was additionally charged with careless driving, failure to signal a turn and operating an unregistered motor vehicle. He was processed and released to a family member pending an appearance in Vernon Township Municipal Court. March 2 Nicholas A. Meade was arrested on a body (no bail) warrant issued by the Sussex County Superior Court. While at Vernon Police headquarters, information was developed that led to a theft charge being filed against him for the theft of a large, undisclosed amount of cash from his employer, Vernon Dunkin’ Donuts. He was processed and transported to the Sussex County Jail, where he was lodged on the Superior Court warrant. March 3 Patrolman Harry Russo investigated a one-vehicle accident on Route 94 involving a 2006 silver Jeep Cherokee, driven by Jessica M. Griger, 21, of the Glenwood section of Vernon. She told Patrolman Russo that an unidentified animal ran across the roadway in front of her Jeep. She swerved to avoid it, causing her to lose control of the vehicle, which traveled up an embankment, overturned and slid down the highway approximately 175 feet on its driver’s side. She was not injured in the crash. Further investigation at the scene resulted in her arrest for driving while intoxicated. At Vernon Police headquarters, she was additionally charged with careless driving. She was released pending an appearance in Vernon Municipal court.