Sparta Police

On Wednesday, Nov. 21 at 7:21 a.m. Patrolman.Rob Fraser and Patrolman Mark Mastandrea responded to a residence on Village Lane, to investigate a report of narcotics use. The officers were granted access into the house by a resident. Their subsequent investigation led to the discovery of a small amount of marijuana. Hallie Lemer, 28, of Sparta, was arrested for possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, She was transported to Sparta police headquarters for processing. She was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released pending a required court appearance. On Wednesday, Nov. 21 at 10:16 p.m., Patrolman Richard Smith responded to the 7-11 on Pine Cone Lane for a report of an intoxicated man attempting to get into a vehicle. Upon his arrival Smith saw a concerned citizen blocking the man’s egress. The driver of the vehicle, (a gray Chevrolet Trail Blazer) Michael Vanelli, 59, of Sparta was attested for driving while intoxicated. He was transported to Sparta police headquarters for processing, He was also charged with careless driving and failure to produce documents. He was released pending a requited court appearance. On Thursday, Nov. 22 at 1:41 a.m., Patrolman Snyder was on routine patrol on Woodport Road, when he observed a black Toyota Camry being operated at a high rate of speed. After stopping the vehicle, the driver, Matthew Millet, 30, of Branchville was arrested for driving while intoxicated. He was transported to Sparta police headquarters for processing. He was additionally charged with careless driving and speeding. He was released pending a required court appearance. On Thursday, Nov. 22 at 2:08 a.m., Patrolman Andrew Petrucelli was monitoring traffic in the White Deer Plaza when he observed a beige Chevrolet Blazer. A check revealed that the vehicles registration was expired. Petrucelli subsequently stopped the vehicle on Stanhope Road. The driver Paul Rotondi, 38, of Sparta NJ was arrested for driving while intoxicated. He was transported to Sparta police headquarters for processing. He was additionally charged with careless driving and operating an unregistered vehicle. A passenger in the vehicle Thomas Fallone, 37, of Rockaway was charged with allowing an intoxicated person to operate a motor vehicle. Both men were released pending required court appearances. On Thursday, Nov. 22 at 5:19 a.m., Patrolman Andrew Petrucelli and PatrolmanJoseph Pensado responded to a report of a possible burglary in progress at a residence on Scudders Road. The home-owner called police reporting a white male trying to gain entry into the home via the front door. Upon their arrival Petrucelli and Pensado saw the man on the front porch of the residence. When they announced their presence he fled on foot He was pursued and subdued in the yard of the residence. The man, later identified as Nicholas Heckman, was taken into custody after a brief struggle with the officers. He was highly intoxicated. He was transported to Sparta police headquarters for processing, Heckman was charged with resisting arrest, possessing false government documents, disorderly conduct and obstructing. He was later released pending a required court appearance.