Sparta Township Police

Dec. 11 A Sparta man was arrested and charged with a variety of offenses after he crashed his car into a utility shed late Sunday evening. At 10:47 p.m., Lt. Joseph Schetting who was working a DWI supplemental patrol was dispatched to investigate a report of a motor vehicle accident on the property of a resident of Green Apple Road. Subsequent investigation revealed Corey Hardcastle, 26, of Franklin was alone in his vehicle traveling south on Stanhope Road when he attempted to turn right onto Green Apple Road. Hardcastle missed the turn and instead drove across the front lawn of the home located at the intersection. The vehicle traveled approximately 250 feet, where it sideswiped a tree which tore off the right front wheel. The vehicle continued out of control across the driveway where it ultimately slammed into the side of a utility shed. he force of the impact pushed the structure approximately seven feet. The right front wheel was found 50 feet away in a wooded area. The vehicle missed the main residence by 10 feet. Hardcastle was uninjured in the crash. After failing a series of field sobriety tests at the scene, Hardcastle was arrested for DWI and transported to police headquarters for processing and breath testing. At headquarters, Hardcastle was found in possession of two bags of heroin. Hardcastle was charged with possession of heroin, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, driving under the influence of liquor and or drugs , refusal to submit to breath testing, careless driving and failure to keep right. He was released several hours later to a sober adult. His vehicle was impounded and removed from the scene by Hayden’s Towing. Officers Kurt Morris and Jeffrey McCarrick assisted at the scene. Dec. 13 A Sparta man was arrested on in the early morning hours of Dec. 13 after he was observed operating his vehicle erratically. At 1:48 a.m., Sgt. Neil Spidaletto was on routine patrol on Woodport Road when he observed the vehicle swerve right across the white fog line. After stopping the vehicle the operator Stephen Calderon, 27, was administered a series of field sobriety tests. Calderon was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters for processing and breath testing. Calderon was later charged with DWI and careless driving. He was released several hours later to a sober adult. His vehicle was impounded Officer Kurt Morris assisted at the scene. Dec. 14 A Sparta woman was charged with drunk driving early on the evening of Dec. 14, after motorists on Route 15 contacted the Sparta Police and reported a possible intoxicated driver. At 7:54 p.m., Officer Brian Hassloch was dispatched to investigate the report. A short time later, the officer found the vehicle traveling south on Route 15. The vehicle was stopped by the officer after he observed it making an illegal U-turn on the highway. The operator, Debra Bieganousky, 59, was arrested after she failed a series of field sobriety tests. She was transported to police headquarters for processing and breath testing. Bieganousky was charged with DWI, improper u-turn, failure to keep right and failure to produce documents. She was later released to a sober family member. Her vehicle has been impounded. Sgt. John Lamon Assisted with the investigation. Dec. 15 Sparta Police Detectives are continuing their investigation into a residential burglary early yesterday evening. What has been determined is that between 6:15 p.m. and 9 p.m., last evening a private residence on Morgan Drive was unlawfully entered. The unoccupied dwelling’s front door which was dead bolted was forced opened, damaging the door and surrounding jamb. The home was equipped with an alarm system which was torn off the wall by the intruders. The master bedroom was ransacked and an undisclosed amount of jewelry was stolen. Det. Sgt. John Schanstra and Det. Terrence Mulligan are investigating. They were assisted at the scene by Officers Brian Hassloch, Robert Fraser and the Sussex County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit. Sparta Police are urging residents to immediately report suspicious vehicles and people in their respective neighborhoods by calling 9-1-1. Calls will be kept confidential. Dec. 17 A West Caldwell man face a variety of charges after a concerned motorist on Route 15 contacted Sparta Police late last night and reported a possible drunk driver. At 11:08 p.m, Officer Joseph Antonello was assigned to a supplemental drunk driving patrol when he was dispatched to investigate the complaint. The officer located the suspect vehicle as it exited the highway and entered onto Sparta Junction. After the officer made his own independent observations as to the erratic operation, he stopped the truck. The officer determined that the operator, Frank E. Seragusa, 21, was not under the influence of alcohol but was, however, in possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana and a metallic grinder in which the drug was kept. Seragusa was placed under arrest and transported to headquarters for processing. He was charged with possession of narcotics, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released several hours later on his own recognizance. Sgt. John Lamon assisted with the investigation.