Multiple Arrests at Joint Roadside Checkpoint

Wyckoff police partnered with Ridgewood authorities in a county-sponsored drunken driving checkpoint that resulted in nine arrests and dozens of citations issued.

The roadside checkpoint, conducted on May 22 at Goffle Road and Ravine Avenue, was approved and paid for by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, Chief Benjamin Fox said. Township and village police stopped cars at random for almost four hours, with each department handling motorists' infractions based on whether the driver was led into the Wyckoff or Ridgewood detail.

In total, authorities made six DWI arrests and three narcotics arrests. One person was charged with underage possession of alcohol, and another was cited for allegedly having an open container of alcohol. Additionally, police issued 53 other traffic-related citations.

"These are very high numbers on a 3.5-hour detail," Fox said.

Wyckoff police arrested Gary A. Burlew, 51, of Franklin Lakes on charges of drunken driving and refusal to submit to a breath test; Anton D. Chaikovsky, 21, of Ridgewood on a possession of marijuana charge; and Erica Richardson, 18, of River Vale on charges of marijuana possession and narcotics paraphernalia possession.

Ridgewood Detective Chris McDowell said village officers charged Robert Mullaney, 26, of West Paterson, and Justin Landi, 22, of Wyckoff with DWI. Additionally, Kalvin Williams, 19, of Fair Lawn was issued a summons for underage possession of alcohol.

Fox said the officers were somewhat surprised at the number of citations issued and arrests made on one stretch of roadway on a random afternoon.

"The statistics show that there's a problem. This stuff's out there," the chief said.

Fox, Lt. Charles Van Dyk, Lt. David Murphy, Sgt. Michael Ragucci and Patrolmen Terrance Murphy, Brian Zivkovich, Kevin Pinches and Ryan Tenney worked the Wyckoff checkpoint.

• A township man was charged with drunken driving after a traffic stop on Wyckoff Avenue.

Police said Nader E. Jafargholzadeh, 31, of Godwin Avenue was driving erratically near Atwood Place at 1:26 a.m. Wednesday, prompting a police stop. Sgt. Michael Ragucci conducted field sobriety tests, which the motorist failed, police said. Jafargholzadeh was charged with DWI, reckless driving, failure to keep right, improper turning and littering.

The resident is scheduled to answer the charges in Municipal Court on July 1.

• A Saddle Brook woman was charged with theft on May 24 following a joint investigation with River Vale police.

Police said Kinga A. Malkowska was initially investigated by River Vale authorities after being suspected of stealing jewelry from a home where she was working as a cleaner. Police said they located the jewelry at a Saddle Brook pawn shop, along with jewelry that was stolen from a Wyckoff home where she also works. The township resident had been unaware her jewelry was taken, until contacted by Detective Sgt. Joseph Soto, police said.

Malkowska was charged on a criminal complaint of theft in excess of $500 and will appear in Municipal Court.

Ridgewood Patch editor Sam Fran Scavuzzo contributed to this report.