Sparta Township police

July 14 Sparta Police have concluded their investigation into an early morning fight on July 14 where one of the combatants brandished a knife and attempted to stab another. At 1:23 a.m. police were dispatched to investigate a report of a fight in progress in the parking lot of the Sparta Library. Upon their arrival, officers found the fight had already broken up but there were several young adults present. Subsequent investigation revealed that a 19-year-old Sparta resident Jerry Boyd became embroiled in a verbal argument with the 19-year-old male victim from Hamburg. The argument escalated into a physical altercation, which during the course of the fight the victim was bitten on the left side of his rib cage by Boyd. Boyd then brandished a folding knife with a 4-inch lock blade and attempted to stab the victim. Bystanders broke up the fight. Police found Boyd in possession of the knife. He was placed under arrest and transported to headquarters for processing. The victim suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment at the scene. Boyd was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes. He was lodged in the Sussex County Jail in lieu of $16,500 bail without a 10 percent option. July 15 The investigation continues into the arrest of a Sparta man on July 15 after being found unlawfully in possession of alcohol. At 10:58 p.m., Cpl. William Moyle who was on routine patrol, observed a 20-year-old Dean Gobel enter a local liquor store. Gobel exited a short time later with a large package and attempted to leave the area in a motor vehicle with several other underage individuals. He was stopped a short time later. Gobel was found in possession of a six-pack of Blue Moon Ale, a liter bottle of Svedka Vodka and a bottle of champagne. He was placed under arrest and transported to headquarters. While being processed, On Gobel’s person, officers found a cellophane wrapper containing a yellow powder. Gobel denied ownership or knowledge of what it was. Gobel was charged with under age possession of alcohol in a motor vehicle and unlawfully entering a premises licensed for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages with the purpose of having alcoholic beverages delivered to him. The yellow powder was taken as evidence and has been sent to the New Jersey State Police Laboratory for analysis. Additional charges are pending. Gobel was served and released several hours later on his own recognizance. A Newton man was arrested on July 15 after he struck a guide rail on Route 15 and disabled his car. At 11:46 p.m., Officer Mark Mastandrea was dispatched to a report of single car crash at the southbound entrance ramp onto Route 15. Upon his arrival the officer found four adult males standing in the street next to a car. The vehicle had sustained heavy driver’s side damage. The operator, later identified as Wifredo Marquez, 29, was arrested after he failed a series of field sobriety tests. Marquez, whose blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit, was charged with DWI, careless driving, failure to maintain a single lane of travel, failure to report an accident and being an unlicensed driver. Marquez was released several hours later to a sober adult. His vehicle has been impounded. July 18 A Sparta man has been charged and the investigation continues after a vehicle he was a passenger in was stopped for creating a dangerous and hazardous condition on Glen Road. On Monday afternoon at 3:08 p.m., Sergeant Jeffrey Mase was on routine patrol traveling on Glen Road when he passed a car traveling in the opposite direction. What drew the sergeant’s attention to this vehicle was that a fireball appeared to have been thrown out the front passenger’s side window. The sergeant was able to stop the vehicle a short time later. Subsequent investigation showed that Jonathan Dulko, 18, was the front seat passenger in the vehicle. He had crumpled up a piece of paper and soaked it lighter fluid. Dulko ignited the paper and threw it out the window. Seized as evidence found in plain view were two bottles of Ronsonol Lighter fluid and a cigarette lighter. Dulko was charged with disorderly conduct and throwing hazardous material from a motor vehicle. He was served with the complaints at Sparta Police Headquarters, processed and released. Sparta Township Police are reminding motorists that it is never legal to discard any items from a moving vehicle. Sussex County is currently experiencing extremely high temperatures and dry conditions, which makes our woodlands and communities extremely vulnerable to fire. People are warned that if they are caught discarding lit cigarettes or engaged in criminal activity like that described above, that they will be charged and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.