$30K in Valuables Reportedly Stolen From Parclake Court House

An autographed picture of Mickey Mantle was allegedly stolen from someone's home, a "wasted" suspect spends the night in jail and a routine traffic stop leads to drug charges. Those are just a few of the cases investigated last week by Wayne police.

Officer Eugene Foster responded to an alleged burglary that occurred the evening of Feb. 7.

Police said that a homeowner reported that he discoverred footprints in the snow outside his house, beginning at the driveway and leading to the front door.

According to police, the owner stated that his girlfriend left the house at approximately 7:20 p.m. to go to work. Police said the homeowner returned to the house at approximately 9:30 p.m., noting that the door in the garage was slightly open. Police said the homeowner noticed that cabinet doors were open and the front door busted in.

Upon arriving, police said they searched the inside of the house. Police said the homeowner stated that an autographed picture of Mickey Mantle, worth $500, was stolen. Police also said that numerous pieces of jewelry were taken from a standing mirror with shelves. According to police, the homeowner stated that two Rolex watches were taken, but his safe, which was located in his walk-in closet, was not. Police said the house’s burglar alarm was not on when the burglary occurred.

According to police, $30,000 worth of jewelry was taken from the house.

DRUNK DRIVER: 'I'M WASTED'

Officer Brendon Rigler, while on patrol, observed a black Pontiac G6 traveling on Route 23 North at a high rate of speed. According to police, Rigler paced the vehicle at 80 miles per hour and stopped it near Packanack Lake Road.

Police said the driver, 37-year-old James Black of Kinnelon, exhibited signs of intoxication. Police said when Black was told he needed to perform field sobriety tests, he stated to Rigler: “I’m wasted dude, let’s just get this over with.”According to police, as Rigler was attempting to instruct Black how to perform the tests, Black replied: “I’m two sheets to the wind, let’s just go home.” Police said Black was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters, where an Alcotest was performed. According to police, Black had a blood alcohol content of .23 percent. Police said Black became belligerent, verbally abusive and uncooperative during the booking process; due to his level of intoxication and his inability to have someone take custody of him, Black spent the night in a cell awaiting a ride or until he sobered up, police said.

Police said Black was charged with driving while intoxicated, careless driving, speeding 80 miles per hour in a 50-miles-per-hour zone, driving with a suspended license, failure to exhibit documents, driving an uninsured vehicle and possession of drug paraphernalia (a tubular device with a mouthpiece, police said, containing suspected marijuana residue.)

TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO ECSTASY ARREST

Police Officer Robert Fernandez saw a 2009 Chevrolet make an illegal U-turn at the intersection of Valley Road and Preakness Avenue Feb. 5 shortly before 4 p.m.

Fernandez said he detected the smell of alcoholic beverages emanating from the vehicle.

Police said the driver, 18-year-old Anthony Maffettone, of Cedar Grove, said he was driving two 17-year-old female passengers home from a party and the girls had been drinking.

Police said they arrested Maffettone based on his physical appearance and results from field sobriety tests and he was taken to police headquarters for an Alcotest and booking.

According to police, Maffettone was found to be in possession of a clear plastic bag containing three and a half heart-shaped pills, which Maffetone described as “loopy drugs”; he later stated that the pills were Ecstasy.

The two females were transported to headquarters for health and welfare checks and released to their parents, police said.

Police said Maffettone was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, driving under the influence, driving under the influence with juveniles in the vehicle, driving under the influence in a school zone, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, making an improper U-turn, failure to signal, displaying no provisional decals, driving with a provisional license after 11 p.m. and transporting two passengers on a provisional license.

ALLEGED THIEF FOUND WITH OXYCODONE PILLS

Police Officer Robert Franco was dispatched on a suspicious person call to the Exxon gas station at 63 Route 23 on Feb. 3 at 9:18 a.m.

Police said Franco met with an Exxon employee, who explained that an individual who was seated in a Hyundai in the parking lot had refused to leave the store area. According to police, the same individual was suspected of stealing cans of Red Bull energy drink from the station in the past.

Franco said he saw the man in the car, Richard Nikow, 26, of North Caldwell, bend down out of view while Franco positioned his patrol vehicle behind the Hyundai.

Franco said he saw a prescription bottle with a faded label at Nikow’s feet. Police said Franco retrieved the bottle, which contained 10 oxycodone pills, which did not match the prescription container.

Nikow was arrested at the scene and transported to police headquarters, where he was booked.

DRIVER'S BLOOD ALCOHOL WAS NEARLY 3 TIMES THE LEGAL LIMIT

Officer Michael Polifrone observed a Nissan Altima operated by 25-year-old Meghan Lore, a township resident, travel onto the shoulder on Route 23 Southbound three times on the evening of Feb. 6.

Police said Polifrone conducted a motor vehicle stop at the Glen Eagle shopping center parking lot. According to police, Lore exhibited signs of intoxication and was administered standard field sobriety tests, which she did not perform to Polifrone’s satisfaction.

Police said Lore was arrested and transported to police headquarters where an Alcotest was administered. According to police, Lore’s blood alcohol content was .22 percent.

Police said Lore was issued summonses for driving while intoxicated, having an alcoholic beverage container open while operating a motor vehicle, failure to maintain a lane and possessing fictitious license plates.