Sparta police blotter

Wanted man asks daughter's assistance
On Jan. 7 at approximately 12:43 pm, P.O. Steven Guido responded to the Rt. 15/Blue Heron ramp for a report of a disabled vehicle in the roadway. Guido requested that Sparta Dispatch contact the registered owner of the red Dodge Ram pickup and find out why it was left in the roadway. Dispatch made contact with the registered owner, 57 year old Owen Lennon of Lake Hopatcong, NJ, who stated that his daughter ran out of gas and was given a ride home from the scene. Guido had the vehicle towed out of the roadway and returned to Sparta Police HQ to contact the owner. Lennon initially used the name “Scott”, but admitted to Officer Guido that his real name is “Owen.” A check on Lennon’s license revealed that it was suspended due to two traffic warrants ($350 out of Jefferson Twp. And $750 out of Randolph Twp.).
Guido requested that Lennon come to Police HQ to provide a registration and insurance card for his vehicle so it could be released from impound. Lennon would not respond to HQ due to the outstanding warrants. Officer Guido made contact with Lennon’s daughter, who initially stated that she was driving the pickup when it ran out of gas, but ultimately admitted that her dad asked her to lie for him to prevent him from being charged with driving while suspended. Lennon further stated that she was not going take the blame for driving the vehicle, since her license was also suspended. She provided a voluntary statement and text messages from her dad. Guido issued criminal warrants for Hindering and Providing False Information. He also issued M.V. summonses for: Willfully Abandoning a Vehicle on Hwy, Driving While Suspended, Obstructing the Flow of Traffic and Fictitious Plates. Lennon was contacted and stated that he is currently in Washington, D.C. and gave no indication as to when he will return. Lennon has been entered into the system as a Wanted Person.
Distinct odor alerts police officer
On Jan. 9 at approximately 9:07 am, P.O. Steven Guido stopped a red Mini Cooper on Rt. 15 for speeding, 76 mph in a 55 mph zone. Guido approached the vehicle to speak with the driver, 26 year old Justin Fernandes of Holmdel, NJ, and requested his credentials. While speaking with Fernandes, Guido detected the odor of raw marijuana emanating from within the vehicle. When asked if he had any marijuana in his vehicle, Fernandes stated he had some in the glovebox. Fernandes retrieved a partially smoked marijuana cigarette, which he handed to Officer Guido. P.O. Lynott responded to the scene to provide backup assistance. Fernandes and his passenger were asked to exit the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed (2) metal marijuana pipes, which Fernandes took ownership of. He was placed under arrest and transported to Sparta Police HQ for processing. Fernandes was charged with: Speeding, CDS in a MV, Obstructed View, Poss. of Under 50 Gr. of Marijuana and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. Fernandes was advised of a mandatory court appearance and released.
Expired inspection leads to suspended driver with warrant
On Jan. 10 at approximately 8:45 am, P.O. Thomas Snyder stopped a grey Nissan Altima with an expired inspection sticker. Upon approaching the vehicle to speak with the driver, 57 year old Rene Figueroa of Dover, NJ, Snyder requested his driving credentials and returned to his patrol car to check them. A check of Figueroa’s license revealed that it was suspended and that there was an active no-bail warrant for his arrest out of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office. Figueroa was placed under arrest and transported to Sparta Police HQ for processing. He was issued m.v. summonses for: Driving While Suspended, Fail to Inspect and Fictitious Plates. He was advised of a required court appearance and turned over to Morris County Sheriff’s personnel.
Cracked taillight nets two warrant arrests
On Jan. 13 at approximately 10:48 pm, P.O. Thomas Herd stopped a cream colored Jeep on Rt. 15 north for a cracked taillight. Herd approached the vehicle to speak with the two occupants within the vehicle. He advised the driver, 36 year old Katrina Phillips of Hamburg, NJ, that he stopped her for a cracked taillight and asked for her credentials. The passenger, 33 year old Jefferey Heinzelman of Dingman’s Ferry, PA, retrieved the registration and insurance cards from the glovebox and advised Officer Herd that Phillips did not have a driver’s license. Officer Herd obtained Heinzelman’s information and checked his driver’s license to see if it was valid to operate the vehicle and it came back valid. A check of Phillips D.L. showed that it was suspended and there was an active warrant out of State Police- Sussex for $1,000. Sgt. Pensado, Cpl. Smith and P.O. Lynott arrived on scene to assist. Phillips was placed under arrest and transported to Sparta Police HQ for processing. Heinzelman drove the car from the scene. Phillips was charged with the following m.v. offenses: Maintenance of Lamps, Fail to Provide valid D.L. and Driving While Suspended. State Police was contacted and authorized that Phillips be released on her own recognizance with a new court date. While waiting for Henzelman to come back to pick Phillips up, Dispatch advised Officer Herd that they had located an active warrant for Jefferey Heinzelman for $3,000 out of State Police- Sussex. Patrol units waited in the Municipal lot for Heinzelman to arrive and placed him under arrest after he drove into the Municipal lot through the “exit only” lane. Heinzelman was processed and charged with Wrong way on One way and Maintenance of Lamps, advised of his summonses, and turned over to NJSP on the $3,000 warrant.