Sparta Police

July 8 At 10:03 p.m. PtL Louis Brown investigated a one car motor vehicle accident on State Highway Route 15. According to police, a vehicle driven by Scott Pierce, 51, of Raleigh, N.C., was traveling north on Route 15, when he lost control of his vehicle. He drove out of his lane of travel onto the shoulder, back into the lane of travel and over turning into the median landing on a guide rail. He was transported to Newton Memorial Hospital by the Sparta Township First Aid Squad where he was treated and released. Pierce was charged with Careless Driving, Hazardous Tire Conditions and Failure to Maintain Lane of travel. July 11 At 3:09 a.m. Ptl. Lewis Brown and Pd.Marc Rubino observed a vehicle traveling north on State Highway Route 15, almost strike the curved at the exit ramp. Further investigation resulted in the arrest of Emil Konopka, 49, of Franklin. Konopka was charged with driving while intoxicated, failure to keep right, careless driving, failure to maintain lane of travel and failure to exhibit valid insurance card. He was released pending an appearance in Sparta Township Municipal Court. July 13 At 5:13 a.m. Cheryl Lawhun, 37, of Sparta, came to police headquarters to speak with an officer in reference to an unrelated incident. Further investigation showed that Lawhun drove to headquarters while under the influence. Continuing investigation resulted in Lawhun being arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, refusing to submit to a Breathalyzer, failure to comply with an officer's direction, failure to notify the Division of Motor Vehicles of a change of address, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Lawhun was lodged in the Sussex County Jail on $1,500 bail. Sgt John Paul Beebe and Pti, Mark Mastandrea are the investigating officer's. July 14 Sparta Police are investigating the damage to some 25 mailboxes in the Glen Road area. Anyone who may have witnessed this is asked to call Police at 973-729-6121. July 15 At 4:10 a.m. Patrolman Marc Rubino and Patrolman Adam Carbery observed a vehicle blocking the intersection of West Shore Trail and Indian Trail. Further investigation resulted in the arrest of the driver of the vehicle, Kelly Muller, 18, of Newton. Muller was charged with driving while intoxicated, careless driving, failure to exhibit a driver's license and possession of alcohol by a person under the legal age. She was released pending a mandatory court appearance in Sparta Township Municipal Court. July 16 At ll:30 p.m., Ptl. Marc Rubino and Ptl. AdamCarbery stopped a vehicle traveling on Route 15 southbound for having a headlight out. Further investigation resulted in the arrest of the driver, Steven I. Nunes, for maintenance of lamps, failure to exhibit documents, suspended driver and possession of CDS in a motor vehicle, He was also charged with criminal complaints of possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of Under 50 grams of marijuana, hindering apprehension, manufacturing or dispensing a controlled dangerous substance and possession of cocaine. Nunes was lodged in the Sussex County Jail on $22,500 bail without a 10 percent option. Bail was set by Sparta Township Judge John Mulhern.