Police Blotter: Several DWIs Over Holiday Weekend

Hightstown Borough Police issued multiple DWI and warrant arrests last week.

Plate Check Reveals String of Violations

Carlos Rojas-Cruz, 34, of Deerfield Apartments, was charged June 29 with contempt of court, driving while suspended, driving while suspended as a result of a DWI conviction, unlicensed driving, unregistered vehicle, and failure to exhibit an insurance card. 

Police stopped him at 10:15 a.m. on Franklin Street after a random license plate inquiry revealed that the vehicle’s registration had expired.  Police said they found the driver, Rojas-Cruz, was suspended for a prior DWI conviction and had an active warrant issued by Trenton Municipal Court in the amount of $550.  He was released after posting bail.

Dispute Leads to Contempt Charge for Non-Payment of Child Support

Jifter Martinez, 20, of Queens Creek, Arizona was charged with contempt of court on June 29. 

Police responded to a report of a verbal dispute at 1:35 p.m. at Hightstown Housing Authority and a credential check revealed a $6,553 active warrant for Martinez issued by Mercer County Sheriff’s Department for non-payment of child support.  Martinez was turned over to Mercer County Sheriff’s Department in lieu of bail. 

Warrant Found During Court Appearance

Fredy Pena-Alvarado, 35, of Abbington Drive, was charged on a $1,000 warrant from Hightstown Borough Municipal Court on June 29. 

He appeared in court for an unrelated matter just after 7 p.m. when thr warrant was discovered.  He was lodged in Mercer County Adult Correction Center in lieu of bail. 

Local Warrant Found for Man in Hudson County Jail

John Pierce, 38, of Jersey City, was charged on a $1,500 warrant from Hightstown Borough Municipal Court, at Hudson County Jail at 9:03 p.m. June 29.  He was unable to pay the warrant and transported to Mercer County Adult Correction Center in lieu of bail. 

Man Charged With DWI After Traffic Stop

Brian Welch, 33, of Morrisville, Pennsylvania, was charged him with driving while intoxicated, DWI in a school zone, reckless driving, careless driving, and failure to maintain lane at 3:07 a.m. on July 2. 

Police said they saw two vehicles stopped in the roadway on Mercer Street when one vehicle crossed the double yellow line to pass the other vehicle. The officer stopped the car that had crossed the line and reported alcohol on the breath of the driver, Welch, who failed field sobriety tests.

Police said they administered field sobriety tests, which Welch failed, and he was taken into custody.  Police said his blood-alcohol level was measured at 0.16 percent. He was released to the custody of a friend. 

Police Seek Information About Damage to Vehicles

Police said between 1 p.m. July 1 and 1:37 p.m. July 2, someone entered the property of Trans USA Products on Bank Street and broke out a window of one of its vehicles. 

No other damage was reported and no items were reported missing.  The value of the window was not reported at the time of the report.  Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Hightstown Borough Police Department at 609-448-1234.

Stop for Expired Sticker Leads to Contempt Charges

Edward Barnes, Jr., 52, of Newark, was charged him with contempt of court after he was stopped on Mercer Street for an expired inspection sticker at 2:49 on July 4.

Police said a credential check revealed his driver’s license was suspended and had an active warrant for $204 issued by Trenton Municipal Court.  He was released on his own recognizance by Trenton Police Department with pending court action. 

Man Charged With DWI, Unlicensed Driving

Giovany Jimenez, 21, Bordentown, was charged with driving while intoxicated, DWI in a school zone, unlicensed driving, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, and failure to wear a seatbelt on July 4. 

Police stopped him at 4:35 on Mercer Street for an improper inspection sticker said he veered across the double yellow line into the oncoming lane of travel, almost striking an opposing vehicle, when he saw the officer.  Police said Jimenez was unlicensed and the officer smelled alcohol on his breath.  Police said Jimenez failed field sobriety tests and his blood-alcohol level was measured at 0.22 percent.  He was released to a friend.

Man Charged With Warrant, Providing False Name

Francisco Malendez, 47, of North Main Street, Hightstown, was charged him with contempt of court, exhibiting a fictitious driver’s license, and hindering his own apprehension by providing false information on July 5. 

Police said they saw Malendez at 7:12 a.m. on Main Street and he was known to have a $1,000 active warrant for his arrest issued by Hightstown Borough Municipal Court.  Police said he provided a false name and date of birth to the officer along with a fictitious identification card and social security card in another name. 

Police said his true identity verified when he was taken into custody and additional warrants were found from New Brunswick Municipal Court in the amounts of $900 and $1,000.  Bail for the new charged was set at $10,000 with the option to post 10 percent. He remained in custody in lieu of bail Wednesday.