Woman charged with assaulting Hopewell Township policeman. Man charged with possession of crack cocaine, driving while intoxicated and driving with open containers of alcohol.
By John Tredrea
A Trenton woman has been charged with assaulting a township policeman and the man who was driving the vehicle in which she was a passenger has been charged with possession of crack cocaine, driving while intoxicated and driving with open containers of alcohol.
At 2:04 p.m. Feb. 15, Patrolman Chris Vaccarino saw Thomas Sims, 38, of Morrisville, Pa., drive out of Rosedale Park. Neither Mr. Sims nor his passenger, Valerie Kasey, 45, of Artisan Street, Trenton, was wearing a seat belt, police said.
The vehicle was stopped on Old Mill Road. Officer Vaccarino noticed a strong odor of alcohol on Mr. Sims’ breath, police said. While Officer Vaccarino was investigating whether Mr. Sims was under the influence of alcohol, Ms. Kasey was making suspicious movements in the vehicle, police said. She was removed from the vehicle and as Officer Vaccarino was attempting to check her for weapons, she assaulted him by pushing him away, police said. She then was placed under arrest, charged with assaulting a police officer. She continued to resist arrest by struggling with the officer, police said.
Once Ms. Kasey was in custody, Mr. Sims was subjected to field sobriety tests and was charged with driving while intoxicated. A search of Mr. Sims produced a crack pipe containing suspected crack cocaine residue, police said. A search of the vehicle revealed numerous open cans of beer, police said.
In addition to being charged with driving while intoxicated and possession of crack cocaine, Mr. Sims was charged with possession of open containers of alcohol in a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia in a motor vehicle and driving while not wearing a seat belt. His case will be heard in Municipal Court.
In addition to being charged with assaulting a police officer, Ms. Kasey was charged with possession of open containers of alcohol in a motor vehicle and riding in a vehicle while not wearing a seat belt. Her case has been forwarded to the county prosecutor’s office for possible grand jury action.
Both Mr. Sims and Ms. Kasey were released on their own recognizance after being booked at township police headquarters.

