Sleeping N.Y. Men Charged with Weapons Offenses

Two New York men were charged with weapons offenses after police allegedly discovered them sleeping in a car.

Patrolman Michael DeMaio was flagged down by the attendant of a gas station at the corner of Wyckoff Avenue and West Main Street at 7:10 a.m. Sept. 12, who told the officer that three men were sleeping in a car in the lot.

Patrolman Michael DeMaio assisted on the call, and the officers awoke the men. The odor of marijuana was obvious, police said, and the occupants of the car had conflicting stories as to how they ended up in the gas station lot.

The men consented to a search of the car, and authorities uncovered marijuana and two CO2-cartridge-powered handguns that appeared to be police-issued handguns, authorities said.

John J. Twomey, 20, of Staten Island was charged with possession of a weapon, and Aaron Richard, 20, of Staten Island was charged with possession of a weapon and possession of marijuana. The third occupant was not charged.

Twomey and Richard were committed to the county jail in default of $3,500 bail, and the case was referred to Superior Court.

• A Linden Street resident reported an attempted burglary on Sept. 19.

The burglar did not gain entry to the home, but several screens were cut and windows were damaged, police said.

• An Edgewood Avenue resident reported the burglary of a detached garage at his home on Sept. 13.

Police said someone entered the garage via an unlocked door and stole a television.

• A Midland Park teen was arrested on drug charges on Sept. 13 while walking through Wyckoff.

Police responded to the corner of Godwin and Crescent avenues at 4:23 p.m. that day after receiving a report of a man who vomited and may be in need of medical attention.

Patrolman Brian Zivkovich responded and found Edward A. Lynch, 19. The subsequent investigation revealed that Lynch was in possession of marijuana and a smoking pipe, police said.

He was arrested on the possession charges and released on his own recognizance.

• A Wyckoff man was arrested on drunken driving charges Sept. 10 on his own property.

Police parked down the road from Brent Potter's home that night after receiving word from Fair Lawn police that motorists were reporting a possible drunken driver traveling north on Route 208 at 8:40 p.m.. Those motorists supplied police with the motorist's license plate number, which traced back to Potter, 51, police said.

Patrolman Kevin Pinches said he observed Potter drive down West Stevens Avenue, swerving from side to side. Potter pulled into a driveway and entered the garage, at which point he was confronted by Pinches, police said.

Potter refused a breath test but was intoxicated and had alcohol in his vehicle, police said. The resident was charged with drunken driving, refusing to submit to a breath test, reckless driving, consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle and having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Potter was released to a friend and will appear in Municipal Court on Oct. 7.

• Three teens were arrested on drug charges Sept. 10 after a traffic stop.

Police said Sgt. Michael Ragucci was patrolling Godwin Avenue when he saw a car parked at the dead end of Ward Avenue. Upon observing the police cruiser, the parked car sped away, police said.

Ragucci stopped the vehicle on Godwin Avenue and said the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle was obvious. Plus, one of the occupants was seen trying to push a smoking pipe under the front seat with his foot, police said.

All three occupants—a 17-year-old Wyckoff driver and two 16-year-old boys from Wyckoff and Franklin Lakes—were charged with possession of marijuana and possession of narcotics paraphernalia. The Wyckoff driver additionally was charged with possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle and with violating his provisional driver's license.

The teens were released to their parents, and complaints were filed with Juvenile Court.

• Police investigating a residential complaint ended up arresting a Franklin Lakes man on drunken driving charges on Sept. 9.

Authorities had responded to the area of Midland Avenue in response to a call about individuals walking through several yards on the street. While investigating, police said a car with several young occupants drove slowly through the area.

The car was stopped on Midland Avenue, and the driver, Austin Costanzo, 20, was suspected of being under the influence, police said. He reportedly failed a breath test and was charged with drunken driving while under the legal drinking age.

Costanzo was released to his mother and will appear in Municipal Court on Oct. 7.