The Lambertville Police Department reported:
—On Nov. 2 police and firefighters responded to a fire alarm activation on South Franklin Street. There had been a report of an electrical fire in the residence. It was determined that mice had chewed through the wiring in the electrical panel box. When power was restored to the residence, the surge caused the fire. The owners refused medical treatment.
— On Nov. 4, officers were dispatched to the American Legion Post home on North Union Street to check out a fight in progress. The victim, James Varn, 37, of Lambertville, suffered injuries to his left eye and was bleeding from his mouth.
According to witnesses, the involved parties were in the Legion, drinking alcohol (with the exception of the bartender). Mr. Varn began to yell at Charles Wicks, 52, of Lambertville. According to all witnesses, Mr. Varn physically threatened everyone in the bar. Police said he swung at the bartender with a closed fist. John Wicks, 50, of Titusville, attempted to intervene. Mr. Varn then pushed John Wicks and went after Charles Wicks. Police said he pushed Charles Wicks and then took a swing at him with a closed fist. Charles Wicks then punched Mr. Varn to protect himself, police said. Mr. Varn “was uncooperative and refused medical treatment and declined to sign complaints or identify who struck him,” police said.
— On Nov. 6, officers were dispatched to Greene & Greene Antiques, Bridge Street, to investigate a report of a theft. According to the employee, a white woman had expressed interest in a wooden bowl and placed it on the countertop. The employee advised the woman she would assist her shortly. When she walked over to assist her, the bowl and the woman were gone.
The bowl is described as “J. Kermode-Redwood Bowl,” valued at $130.
After the employee described the woman, she was found walking on North Main Street. The woman, identified as Lori Willner, 53, of Stamford, Connecticut, admitted to being in the store earlier and taking the bowl. Ms. Willner was taken to headquarters and processed. She was charged with shoplifting.
— On Nov. 3, police saw a vehicle facing north in the southbound lane of travel, in the 200 block of York Street. The vehicle’s engine and headlights were on. Upon approaching the driver’s side window, the officer noted that the vehicle’s transmission was in drive. No response came after the officer knocked on the window. The officer opened the driver’s side door and placed the vehicle in park. He shook the driver several times to wake him, and received no response. After some time had elapsed, the driver awakened. Police “detected (an odor) of an alcoholic beverage” on his breath. The driver was identified as Dario Palacios-Chavez, 30, of Lambertville. The driver was not licensed to drive a motor vehicle in New Jersey.
Police said: “Field sobriety testing was terminated due to the level of intoxication.”
Mr. Chavez was taken to headquarters and processed. He was charged with DUI, failure to keep right, wrong side parking, careless driving, refusal and driving without a license. He was released to a friend, pending a court appearance.
— On Nov. 4, police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 29 for expired vehicle registration. The owner, Victorian Garcia-Ramos, 50, of Trenton, was found to have an active traffic warrant out of Linden for $200. Linden Municipal Court advised police to discharge Mr. Ramos, who was given a new court date.
