Clinton Township

Clinton Township Police Department Press Release August 13, 2009

Motor Vehicle Crash with Injury

On Monday, August 10, at approximately 9:40 am, a 2006 Pontiac Montana operated by Ramon Devia, age 65, of Morristown, was traveling Route 22 East in the right lane when Mr. Devia turned left, across the left lane, in order to make a u-turn into the median turn-around.  The Devia vehicle was then struck by a 2007 Buick Lacrosse operated by Susan Szabo, age 47, of Phillipsburg, which was traveling Route 22 East in the left lane.  The airbags in Ms. Szabo's vehicle deployed and it had to be towed from the scene.  Ms. Szabo was later transported to the Hunterdon Medical Center for minor injuries.  Patrolman John Tiger issued Mr. Devia a motor vehicle summons for Careless Driving.

Marijuana Possession

On Tuesday, August 11, at approximately 3:45 am, Patrolman Joseph SanGiovanni stopped a vehicle operated by Margaret Chronis, age and address unknown, on Route 22 West near Petticoat Lane for failing to maintain lane.  During the stop, Ptl. SanGiovanni smelled the odor of marijuana and therefore had the occupants exit the vehicle.  When they did, Ptl. SanGiovanni observed a bag of marijuana in the vehicle's door pocket.  As a result, Ptl. SanGiovanni charged Jeremiah Russell, age 21, of New Tazewell, TN with Possession of Under 50 Grams of Marijuana.  Ms. Chronis was charged with Failure To Maintain Lane.  Both were released.

Fugitive Arrested

On Wednesday, August 12, at approximately 1:35 pm, Patrolman Drew MacQueen arrested Qareeb Smith, age 26, of Elizabeth, in the parking lot of a Route 22 apartment complex.  Ptl. MacQueen was at the complex for an unrelated call when he observed Mr. Smith attempting to conceal a can of beer that he was drinking while sitting in a parked car.  When Ptl. MacQueen questioned Mr. Smith, he twice identified himself as Ashanti Johnson.  After Ptl. MacQueen was unable to confirm this identity, he confronted "Mr. Johnson" with his suspicion that "Mr. Johnson" was lying about his identity.  With this, "Mr. Johnson" provided his true identity.  Upon entering Mr. Smith's information into the National Crime Information Computer (NCIC), Ptl. MacQueen learned that he was wanted out of Essex County in relation to a prior Theft charge.  In addition, Mr. Smith was found to have a $100.xx criminal warrant out of Newark for a prior Disorderly Conduct charge.  Once Ptl. MacQueen confirmed that the warrants were active, Mr. Smith was arrested and transported to the Hunterdon County Jail where he was to be picked up by the Essex County Sheriff's Department. 

Warrant Arrests

On Tuesday, August 11, at approximately 8:15 pm, Sergeant Thomas DeRosa stopped a vehicle on Route 31 South at Payne Road for failing to stop at a stop sign and because the vehicle's license plate lamps were not working.  During the stop, Sgt. DeRosa discovered that passenger Minh Nguyen, age 28, of Flemington, had a $1,250.xx criminal warrant for his arrest out of the Clinton Township Municipal Court as well as a $470.xx criminal warrant for his arrest out of the Town of Clinton.  When he was unable to post the necessary bail, Mr. Nguyen was arrested and transported to the Hunterdon County Jail.

On Wednesday, August 12, at approximately 8:25 pm, Patrolman Matthew Murphy stopped a vehicle operated by Joseph Hamlin Jr., age 22, of Easton, on Interstate 78 for motor vehicle violations.  During the stop, Ptl. Murphy learned that Mr. Hamlin had an $81.xx warrant for his arrest out of Phillipsburg.  Ptl. Murphy issued Mr. Hamlin motor vehicle summonses for Driving While Suspended and Maintenance of Lamps.  When he was unable to post the necessary bail, Mr. Hamlin was arrested and turned over directly to the Phillipsburg Police Department.  Also during the stop, passenger Alphonso Brown, age 34, of Plainfield, provided Ptl. Murphy with a false name.  He was subsequently issued a summons complaint for Hindering Apprehension and released.

Driving While Intoxicated

On Thursday, August 13, at approximately 1:25 am, Patrolman Matthew Murphy stopped a vehicle operated by Brian Bertram, age 26, with addresses Stewartsville and Memphis, TN, on Route 22 near Petticoat Lane for motor vehicle violations.  During the stop, Ptl. Murphy detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on Mr. Bertram's breath and soon determined that he was intoxicated.  Mr. Bertram was arrested and transported to police headquarters where he provided samples of his breath for chemical testing to determine the content of alcohol in his blood.  Ptl. Murphy charged Mr. Bertram with Driving While Intoxicated and Driving An Expired Vehicle.  He was released to the custody of an acquaintance and his vehicle was towed and impounded.

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.

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