Clinton Township

Clinton Township Police Department Press Release August 6, 2009

Motor Vehicle Crash

On Sunday, July 26, at approximately 1:20 pm, a 1999 Ford F450 operated by Jason Peters, age 39, of Oxford, rear-ended a 2003 Toyota 4Runner operated by Antonio Dicola, age 40, of Hampton, on Route 173 near Route 626.  As a result, Mr. Dicola was transported to the Hunterdon Medical Center for neck pain and his vehicle had to be towed from the scene.  No summonses were issued.  Patrolman Andrew McCluskey investigated.

Dog Attacks Sleeping Cat

A resident recently reported that on Friday, July 31, her neighbor’s dog, possibly a Boxer, came onto her back porch and attacked her sleeping cat.  The dog bit the cat but the cat managed to escape.  The resident advised that she attempted to grab the dog to take it back to its owner, but the dog showed aggression toward her as well.  The cat was taken to Warren Animal Hospital where it will undergo surgery for its injuries.  The resident advised that her cat may lose its tail.  The resident expressed a desire to issue a summons to her neighbors for Allowing A Dog To Run At Large.  She was referred to the Clinton Township Municipal Court.

Marijuana Charges

On Tuesday, August 4, at approximately 5:00 am, Patrolman Joseph SanGiovanni checked on a vehicle that had its hazard lights activated while parked on the shoulder of Route 22.  During his encounter, Ptl. SanGiovanni found that vehicle operator Roberto Stukes, age 28, of Columbus, OH was in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.  As a result, Mr. Stukes was arrested and charged with Possession of Under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  He was released ROR.

On Tuesday, August 4, at approximately 4:50 pm, Patrolman Drew MacQueen stopped a vehicle operated by Damian Prizzi, age 33, of Wassaic, NY after a computer inquiry revealed that the vehicle’s registration was suspended and after observing Mr. Prizzi fail to stop at a red light.  During the stop, Ptl. MacQueen learned that Mr. Prizzi’s driving privileges were suspended and also observed pieces of marijuana inside of the vehicle.  A search produced a small bag of marijuana and a pipe with residue.  As a result, Ptl. MacQueen charged passenger Jared Keasbey, age 19, of Wassaic, NY with Possession of Under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  He was released ROR.

On Tuesday, August 4, at approximately 11:50 pm, Sergeant Thomas DeRosa stopped a vehicle operated by Travis Samuels, age 21, of Johnson City, TN, on Route 31 North near Route 173 for equipment violations.  During the stop, Sgt. DeRosa learned that Mr. Samuels’ driving privileges were suspended.  He also discovered that Mr. Samuels and his passenger, Joshua Fauvel, age 20, of Mount Vernon, NY, were in possession of an ounce of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.  As a result, both were charged with Possession of Under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  In addition, Mr. Samuels was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While In Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Driving While Suspended, Careless Driving, Maintenance of Lamps, Tinted Windows, Maintenance of Exhaust.  Mr. Fauvel was also charged with Throwing Debris From a Vehicle.  Both were released ROR. 

On Wednesday, August 5, at approximately 1:30 am, Sergeant Matthew McGill stopped a vehicle operated by a seventeen (17) year-old boy with addresses in Bethlehem, PA and Diana Beach, FL, on Route 173 near Route 626 for failing to signal a turn and obstructing traffic.  During the stop, Sgt. McGill detected the odor of burnt marijuana and soon discovered that the boy and his passenger, a seventeen (17) year-old boy with addresses in Paramus and Fort Lauderdale, FL, were in possession of a bag of marijuana, a partially smoked marijuana joint, and a pack of rolling papers.  Both boys were taken into custody and charged with Possession of Under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  In addition, the driver was issued motor vehicle summonses for Operating a Motor Vehicle While In Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Failure To Signal Turn.

Vehicle Burglaries

Sometime between approximately 12:00 am and 4:00 am on Tuesday, August 4, unknown person(s) broke into two (2) vehicles in the western section of the township and stole items.

At approximately 2:30 am on August 4, a Highland Circle resident heard the alarm to her 2001 Toyota Solara sound.  She looked out of her window and observed a vehicle without its lights on speeding out of her development.  Upon checking her vehicle, the woman discovered that it was now unlocked and that her XM radio head unit had been stolen.  It was valued at approximately $400.00.

Also at about this time, unknown person(s) entered an unlocked Honda Civic on West Gate Drive and stole a radio face plate, a carton of cigarettes, and a pair of prescription sunglasses.  The value of the stolen property is approximately $460.00 in all.    

The filing of criminal charges is merely one step in the process of determining a person’s guilt.  All persons mentioned in this press release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.