Vernon Police

May 20 While on patrol on Route 94, in Vernon Township, Patrolman Charles Reid observed a vehicle traveling southbound at a high rate of speed. Patrolman Reid also observed that the vehicle's high beam headlights were not dimmed as the vehicle approached in the opposite direction. After stopping the vehicle, the driver was identified as Wayne Burke, 55. According to police, he appeared to be intoxicated and failed several roadside sobriety tests. Burke was arrested and transported to police headquarters where he failed breathalyzer tests. He was charged with speeding, failure to dim high beams, failure to keep right and driving while intoxicated. Burke was released pending an appearance in municipal court. May 27 Vernon police were dispatched to the Breakneck Road area of the township on a report of persons throwing rocks at passing cars. Upon arrival, Patrolman Shaun Fitzgerald's marked police car was struck by several large rocks thrown from a wooded area nearby. Patrolman Fitzgerald observed two male juveniles fled on foot from the area. Vernon police K-9 officer William Gerhard responded with bloodhound Miranda. Miranda led officers to a residence about half mile from Breakneck Road. Further investigation at the home resulted in the arrest of two male juveniles, ages 14 and 15, for two counts of criminal mischief. Both juveniles were placed under arrest and transported to Vernon police headquarters where they were processed and released to their parents pending a juvenile court hearing in Newton family court. At approximately 12:31 a.m., Patrolman Kenneth Kuzicki observed a vehicle on Route 94 being operated in a careless manner. Upon stopping the vehicle, Patrolman Kuzicki discovered that the driver, Travis S. Newarski, 18 of Glenwood, was in possession of two small bags of marijuana. Newarski was placed under arrest and transported to Vernon police headquarters where he was charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and careless driving. He was released pending a Vernon municipal court date. May 29 Vernon Police responded to Gray Trail in the Pleasant Valley Lake section of the township for a report of a large party. Upon arrival, officers observed numerous juvenile fleeing the area on foot. Subsequent investigation revealed that the party was hosted by a 15-year-old male juvenile. As a result of this investigation the male juvenile was placed under arrest and charged with underage possession of alcohol and also providing alcohol to persons under the legal age. The male juvenile was processed and released to a family member pending a family court hearing in Newton Superior Court. At approximately 3:05 a.m., Vernon Police approached an occupied suspicious vehicle parked on West Shore Drive in Pleasant Valley Lake. Upon arrival officers observed two white males sitting inside the vehicle. As officers approached the vehicle, they observed the passenger, Bruce M. D'amore, 20 of Newark, throw several packages of marijuana and cocaine out the window. According to police D'Amore resisted arrest. Officers placed D'Amore into custody and he was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest. He was transported to the Sussex County Jail on a $2,500 bail.