Crime & Safety

Police News: Berkeley Heights Police Blotter

DUI's and fireworks arrest on list.

Here is the latest police blotter from the Berkeley Heights police department.

On Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 9:50 pm, Ptl. William Fettes arrested Raymond Morrison, 39, of Long Hill Township. Morrison was the operator of a 2006 BMW and was stopped for an equipment violation on Plainfield Avenue. The subsequent investigation and field sobriety tests revealed Morrison to be intoxicated, at which time he was transported to police headquarters and processed. Morrison was charged with driving while intoxicated, careless driving and failure to maintain lamps. He was given a court date to appear in Berkeley Heights Municipal Court and released into the custody of a family member.

On Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 11:35 pm, Ptl. Jason Massimino arrested Nina Venter, 22, of Berkeley Heights. Venter was the operator of a 2006 Honda and was stopped on Plainfield Avenue for erratic driving.  The subsequent investigation and field sobriety tests revealed Ventor to be intoxicated, at which time she was transported to police headquarters and processed.  Venter was charged with driving while intoxicated, possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, refusal to submit to a breath test, careless driving and failure to maintain lane.  Venter was given a court date to appear in Berkeley Heights Municipal Court and released.

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On Friday, September 2, 2011 at 9:46 pm, Ptl. Ed Gaffney and Ptl. Donato Minicozzi responded to a Dogwood Lane address to investigate a report of fireworks being set off in the area.  Upon arrival, officers observed fireworks being set off in the rear yard of the Dogwood Lane residence and investigated further. Officers located the homeowner, later identified as Ralph Pedicini, 46 years of age, at which time he became uncooperative and refused to provide officers with pedigree information. A large amount of fireworks were then located by the officers, at which time Pedicini was placed under arrest. Pedicini was brought to police headquarters, processed and charged with obstruction of a governmental function and possession of fireworks.  Pedicini was given a court date to appear in Berkeley Heights Municipal Court and released into the custody of a family member.  

On Saturday, September 3, 2011 at 1:29 am, Ptl. Ron DeSimoni arrested Aaron McQuiller, 19, of Newark.  McQuiller was the operator of a 1991 Nissan and was stopped for an equipment violation.  While speaking with the driver, Ptl. DeSimoni detected an odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the vehicle and also observed an open bottle of champagne in the passenger compartment.  A search of the vehicle revealed a plastic cup of champagne in the center console and a partially burnt marijuana cigarette in the ashtray. McQuiller was placed under arrest and brought to police headquarters where he was charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, possession of CDS in a motor vehicle, failure to maintain lamps and being an unlicensed driver.  McQuiller was given a court date to appear in Berkeley Heights Municipal Court and released. 

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