Sparta Police

April 7 At 7:06 p.m., Sparta police received a report of a possible “road rage” incident that had taken place on Main Street. The vehicle in question was last seen at Station Park, where it was reported that the occupants of the vehicle were chasing kids in the parking lot. The vehicle,described as a red Toyota pick-up, left the area prior to patrol’s arrival At 7:41 p.m., Patrolman Frank Schomp observed a vehicle matching the description given in the Station Park incident, driving on Route 15. The driver, James Carpenter, 43, of Wantage, was subsequently arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, failing to have his car inspected and careless driving. Carpenter was charged and released. A passenger was not charged in the incident. At 4:22 p.m., Officers Brian Hassloch and Scott Elig responded to a two-car motor vehicle accident in front of 6 Sparta Ave. While investigating the accident, the driver of one of the vehicles, Robert Waszut, 58, of Ogdensburg, was determined to be under the influence of alcohol. Waszut was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated and careless driving. He was processed and released. April 11 At 9:49 p.m., Officers Adam Carbery and Jeffrey McCarrick responded to a report of a fire in the wooded area between Scudders Road and Graphic Boulevard. Upon reaching the fire they discovered a group of five individuals that had set up a camping area. Further investigation of the area revealed narcotics paraphernalia in plain view. Shea Obrien, 18, of Sparta, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of narcotics paraphernalia and obstructing administration of law. (Obrien fled the scene and later turned himself in at the Sparta Police Dept.). He was charged and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. The remaining four individuals are juveniles. They were charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of narcotics paraphernalia. They were released to their parents. The fire was extinguished with no damage. April 12 At 10:21 p.m., Sgt. John-Paul Beebe was assisting another officer on a traffic stop on Route 15, when he observed a vehicle being operated at a high speed. Sgt. Beebe stopped the vehicle for speeding. Further investigation showed the driver, Joseph Petrycki, 43, of Bushkill, Pa., was under the influence of alcohol. Petrycki was transported to police headquarters, where he was processed. He was charged with speeding, careless driving and driving while intoxicated. Petrycki was later released under the care of his wife.