Sparta police blotter

Speed yields weed arrest
On June 23 at approximately 12 pm, P.O. Erick Finley stopped a grey Jeep Compass on Rt. 15 north for speeding, 76 in a 55 mph zone. As Finley was speaking to the driver, 28 year old Karen Batalitzky of Staten Island, NY, he detected the odor of marijuana emanating from within the vehicle. When asked about the odor, Batalitzky stated that she had smoked marijuana earlier, but presently had no marijuana in her vehicle. Officer Finley requested backup assistance and patrols arrived on scene. A search of the vehicle yielded a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Batalitzky was placed under arrest and transported to Sparta Police HQ for processing. She was charged with: Poss. of Marijuana, Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia, CDS in a MV and Speeding. She was advised of a mandatory court date and released.
Sparta man arrested on multiple charges
On June 24 at approximately10:15 pm, P.O. Ben Griffin observed a black Volvo cut through the parking lot of the United Methodist Church to avoid the traffic signal at the intersection of Sparta Ave and Lafayette Rd. As Officer Griffin positioned his patrol vehicle behind the Volvo, the vehicle accelerated to a speed of approximately 60 mph before turning onto Madison Drive. As Griffin activated his emergency lights to stop the Volvo, it went through the stop sign onto Morgan Drive before pulling into a driveway. The driver, 44 year old Paul Bilbraut-Cora of Sparta, NJ, refused to comply with Officer Griffin’s commands and a physical confrontation ensued when Griffin attempted to place him under arrest. Griffin requested additional units, which arrived on scene to assist. Bilbraut-Cora continued to fight and resist efforts by three officers to arrest and handcuff him. He continued to fight the officers even after being sprayed with pepper spray. The officers were finally able to get Bilbraut-Cora handcuffed and transported to Sparta Police HQ for processing. He was charged with: Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, Eluding, Resisting Arrest, Hindering, Obstruction, Avoiding a Traffic Signal, Speeding, Fail to Signal Turn, Fail To Stop and Fail to Stop for Emergency Vehicle. Bilbraut-Cora was advised of a mandatory court appearance and released.
Andover man provides false information
On June 25 at approximately 1 pm, Cpl Marc Rubino stopped a green Honda for the driver not wearing a seatbelt and the vehicle being uninspected, on East Shore Trail. Rubino observed two occupants within the vehicle. Upon approaching the driver side of the vehicle and speaking with the driver, who identified himself as Brent Bloom, Rubino was unable to get any license or identification from Bloom. Officer Rubino made contact with Sparta Dispatch, who relayed information that Brent Bloom was a white male with blond hair. The person that was stopped had dark hair, so Rubino contacted the Sparta Detective Bureau and a picture of Benjamin Bloom, who was wanted on outstanding warrants, was sent to him . After showing Bloom his picture, he admitted that he used a different name so he wouldn’t be arrested on the warrants. Bloom was placed under arrest and transported to Sparta Police HQ to be processed. He was charged with: Failure to Inspect, Fail to Wear Seatbelt, Unlicensed Driver and Suspended Driver. He had two active warrants from the Sussex County Sheriff’s Dept. and the Essex County Sheriff’s Dept. After being advised of his mandatory court appearance he was turned over to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Department.