Sparta Police

December 13 At 10:l9 p.m., Officer Marc Rubino observed two cars at 25 Sparta Ave. with their motors running and their trunks open, and packages apparently being switched. The business at the address was closed. Upon checking the individuals, further investigation resulted in the arrest of the operator of a Lexus, Brett Hoagland, 20, of Sparta, for DWI. He was later released. At 10:46 p.m., Officer Brian Hassloch observed a car having difficulty maintaining a lane on Rte. 15 heading south. After stopping the car, further investigation resulted in the arrest of the driver, Melody MacDoweli, 25, of Stanhope. She was charged with failing to maintain a lane of travel, failing to report a change of address, CDS in a vehicle, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession with the intent to distribute. She was later released. December 16 Sgt, Jeff Mase observed a jeep without its headlights on travel past him on West Shore Trail near the Plaza, After turning around, he stopped the vehicle in the parking lot of Joe’s Service Center. Further investigation resulted in the arrest of the driver, Kevin Leddy, 53, of Sparta. He has been charged with driving without headlights, possession of CDS in a vehicle, DWI, and possession of under 50 grams of marijuana. He was later released. December 18 At 2:11 a.m., Officer Joe Pensado was patrolling the Park and Ride at Blue Heron Rd. when an SUV came into the area and the driver appeared to be lost. Further investigation resulted in the arrest of the driver, Katherine Mullen, 19, of Stanhope. She was charged with careless driving and DWI. She was later released. At 10:28 p.m., Officer Kurt Morris responded to the Homestead Restaurant for a report of an intoxicated patron. Further investigation resulted in the arrest of John DeGroat, 35, He was subsequently charged with DWI and released.