Vernon Police

November 16 At 3:44 p.m., while responding to a report of dirt bikes/quads riding on the roadways in the Sussex Hills section of Vernon Township, Ptl. Scott Carrell observed two dirt bikes and one quad on Sleepy Hollow Road. As Ptl. Carrell approached, the two dirt bikes sped away, but the quad’s engine stalled. Ptl. Carrell approached on foot and ordered the driver to get off the quad. The operator started the quad as Ptl. Carrell was reaching for his arm and sped off, running over Ptl. Carrell’s foot/ankle. Ptl. Carrell re-entered his patrol vehicle and followed the quad on Maple Drive with lights and siren activated. Ptl. Carrell observed the quad, a black and red, 2003, Yamaha 350, travel across a lawn on Maple Drive, become hung up in heavy brush and stall. Ptl. Carrell exited his patrol vehicle and arrested the 15-year-old operator. The quad operator was charged with eluding police, violating the township’s sport bike ordinance, improper turning, failure to keep right, making an improper u-turn, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, failure to wear a helmet, failure to wear goggles/face shield, careless driving, unlicensed driver, operating without insurance and operating an unregistered vehicle. The quad was towed from the scene and later released to the owner, a friend of the operator. The operator was released to a parent pending appearances in both Vernon Township Municipal Court and Sussex County Superior Court-Family Division. November 21 At 3:26 a.m., Ptl. Derrick Scudieri was dispatched to an accident scene on Canistear road in the Highland Lakes section of the township. On arriving at the scene, Ptl. Scudieri found an overturned 1997 black Toyota on the roadway. The vehicle was unoccupied and no one was at the scene. A check at the home of the registered owner, John T. McMahon Jr., 39, was met with no response. After some time, McMahon called the Vernon Police from his residence. Subsequent investigation led to McMahon being charged with leaving the scene of an accident, careless driving and driving while intoxicated. He was released pending an appearance in Vernon Township Municipal Court.