Police: Drunken Driver's Crash Caused Injuries

Wyckoff police charged a River Vale man with drunken driving following a three-car collision Thursday on Russell Avenue.

Two motorists were stopped in traffic near Route 208 at approximately 7:50 a.m. when John M. Morone, 60, rear-ended one car, sending it into the lead vehicle, police said. The subsequent investigation revealed that Morone was under the influence, police said, and he was arrested by Patrolman Kevin Pinches.

The motorists in both impacted cars sustained back and neck injuries in the collision, leading police to also charge Morone with two counts of aggravated assault. Additionally, he was charged with failure to submit to a breath test, reckless driving and failure to exhibit a registration or insurance card.

Morone was released to his wife and is scheduled to appear in Municipal Court on April 22.

• A resident of Bridal Path reported a home burglary on March 23.

Police said cash, a television, a mink coat and luggage was reported stolen after someone forced open the front door sometime between 2 and 9:20 p.m.

Sgt. Jack McEwan and Detective Michael Musto investigated.

• A traffic stop led police to charge a Wharton man with drunken driving on March 19.

Patroman Pinches said Joseph W. Miller, 30, was traveling 68 mph on Route 208 at 1:28 a.m. as the officer was operating radar. Police said that Wharton was swerving as his car approached Pinches' vehicle, leading to a traffic stop.

Miller took a breath test and was subsequently charged with drunken driving, reckless driving, speeding and failure to maintain his lane of travel.

He was released to a friend and will appear in Municipal Court.

• A drunken driver was arrested in the parking lot of Town Hall on March 14, police said.

Authorities got a call from a motorist after 3 a.m. that day with a report that someone had been following him on the road. Police instructed the driver to go to police headquarters, as he was nearby. The car allegedly following the motorist, Terreck Hall, 26, of Paterson, continued into the municipal complex, as well.

Officers met the concerned motorist and the second vehicle in the parking lot, where they said they observed an open beer can on the front seat of Hall's vehicle. He was charged with drunken driving and driving while in possession of an open container of alcohol.

Police said Hall had been following  a friend and unwittingly began following the other motorist after losing sight of his friend.

He is scheduled to appear in Municipal Court on April 8.

• A Mahwah woman was charged with shoplifting after allegedly stealing items from Stop & Shop.

Police acted on a complaint from a store manager in responding to the supermarket, where they found Carol Dulkis, 57, allegedly in possession of $53 worth of items that they said she tried to conceal.

Dulkis was released on her own recognizance and will appear in Municipal Court on April 8.

• A Ramsey man was charged with drunken driving following a collision on March 12.

Police said Henry L. Belcolle, 47, rear-ended a vehicle at the intersection of Wyckoff and Godwin avenues at 10:12 p.m. A subsequent investigation revealed that Belcolle was intoxicated, said police, who charged him with drunken driving and careless driving.

Belcolle will answer the charges in Municipal Court.