Sparta Police

May 5 At 10: 22 p.m., Sparta police patrols were called to a home on Radcliff Drive for a report of a possible burglary to the residence. Upon their arrival, patrols met with the complainant, who had volunteered to watch the home while the owners were away. Several juveniles were present at the scene when the patrols arrived. A check of the interior of the home revealed extensive damage due to criminal mischief. Two of the juveniles present at the scene were found to have consumed alcoholic beverages and were transported to Sparta police headquarters, where their parents were contacted. The investigation was ultimately turned over to the detective bureau, which determined that several juveniles had entered the residence on Radcliff Drive, knowing the owners were away. Once inside, the juveniles did several thousand dollars in damage to the home. The investigation also determined that another home, located on Camelot Road, had also been burglarized. Several bottles of alcohol were stolen from this residence. As a result of the Radcliff Drive incident, three juveniles were charged with third-degree criminal mischief, six were charged with underage possession of alcohol, five were charged with joyriding and one was charged with taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent. In the Camelot Road incident, six juveniles were charged with burglary and theft. All juveniles were released to the custody of their parents and will be scheduled to appear in family court. All are Sparta residents. May 13 At 11:09 p.m., Sgt. John-Paul Beebe and Ptl. Joseph Pensado were on routine patrol on Sparta Junction, when they observed a gray Honda traveling at a high rate of speed. After further investigation, the driver, Louis Spagnola, 45, of Poughkeepsie, .N.Y., was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. He was transported to Sparta police headquarters for processing. Spagnola was additionally charged with careless driving and failure to keep right. He was released pending an appearance in municipal court. At 10:16 a.m., Ptl. Marc Rubino was on routine patrol when he observed a maroon Mitsubishi traveling on East Shore Trail. The passenger was observed not to be wearing a seat belt. After further investigation, the driver, a 17 year old male, of Sparta, was arrested and charged with underage driving while intoxicated, careless driving, failure to wear a seat belt (passenger) and possession of under 50 grams of marijuana. He was released pending a court appearance. May 15 At 1:38 p.m., Keith Hannam, school resource officer, was in his office in the Sussex Technical High School when a student alerted him that there was the smell of smoke within one of the boys’ bathrooms. He responded to find a burned piece of paper towel on the floor in one of the bathroom stalls. The fire department was dispatched and the ensuing investigation resulted in the arrest of a 15 year old male student charged with criminal mischief. The student was immediately suspended and will be scheduled for a family court appearance. At 7:53 p.m., Sgt. Neil Spidaletto responded to Dykstra Field for a report of a disorderly person. Upon arrival, Sgt. Spidaletto met with the complainant, who said he had a verbal confrontation with Joseph Harkins. The Sparta Girls Softball Association had earlier suspended Harkins as one of their coaches. The complainant told Spidaletto that Harkins appeared to be under the influence. The subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of Harkins, 46, of Byram. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, possession of open alcohol in a motor vehicle and possession of an alcoholic beverage on school property. He will be scheduled for an appearance in municipal court.(Editor’s Note: Joe Harkins has worked as a freelance writer for this newspaper.) May 19 At 7:19 a.m., Sgt. John-Paul Beebe and Ptl. Joseph Pensado responded to Lakeview Road, for a report of an intoxicated individual. Joseph Harkins, 46, of Byram, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated and careless driving. He will be scheduled for an appearance in municipal court.