HOPEWELL VALLEY: Police blotter

   Hopewell Township police Lt. William Springer reported:
   — Detective Michael Sherman saw a car traveling at 68 mph in a 45-mph zone along Route 518 on Dec. 25. The detective stopped the car and spoke with the driver, Matthew Clarke, 19, of Arlene Court, Monmouth Junction. While speaking with Mr. Clarke, the detective smelled the odor of raw marijuana coming from the car.
   Further investigation found Mr. Clarke to be in possession of a small quantity of marijuana, hashish, and a glass pipe containing marijuana. Mr. Clarke was transported to police headquarters for processing and charged with possession of marijuana (under 50 grams), possession of hashish, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of CDS in a motor vehicle and speeding. Mr. Clarke was later released. His case will be heard in Municipal Court.
   — Officer Nicholas Sparaco stopped a motor vehicle for a maintenance of lamps violation on Route 518 on Dec. 27. The officer spoke with the driver, Jacquelin Vandewater, 21, of Carter Road, Hopewell Township, and learned that she was wanted on an outstanding warrant from Lawrence Township. Ms. Vandewater was transported to police headquarters for processing and issued summonses for driving an unregistered vehicle, driving without a valid license and driving while suspended. She was later released after posting bail.
   — Officer Sparaco stopped a motor vehicle on Route 654 for being unregistered on Dec. 28. The officer spoke with the driver Christian Baker, 20, of Florence Avenue, Ewing, and learned that Mr. Baker was wanted on three outstanding warrants. Mr. Baker was transported to police headquarters for processing and issued summonses for driving and unregistered vehicle, maintenance of lamps, no liability insurance and driving while suspended.
   — Officer Louis Vastola went to a West Broad Street, Hopewell, business to investigate a report of a theft on Dec. 29. The officer spoke with the victim who reported that his bicycle had been stolen while he was inside the business. The estimated loss is $500.
   — Officer Alexis Mirra went to the Golden Nugget Flea Market to check out a reported theft on Dec. 28. The officer spoke with the victim who reported that sometime between Dec. 25 and 28, someone removed a Victor Victrola talking machine from a booth. The estimated loss is $700.
   — Officer Mirra went to the Golden Nugget Flea Market to investigate a reported theft on Dec. 28. The officer spoke with the victim who reported that sometime between Nov. 29 and Dec. 14, someone had taken a hand-carved rooster from a booth. The estimated loss is $140.
   — Several officers went to a Pebble Creek Court address to check out a family matter on Jan. 1. During the investigation one of the parties, Colleen Gallagher, 41, of Pebble Creek Court, became irate and threw her purse at Officer Lincoln Karnoff, striking him in the head.
   Ms. Gallagher was placed under arrest for aggravated assault on a police officer. Further investigation revealed that Ms. Gallagher was in possession of a suspected crack pipe containing residue believed to be cocaine.
   Ms. Gallagher was transported to police headquarters and processed. She was issued summonses for aggravated assault on a police officer, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
   Ms. Gallagher was later released. Her case will be forwarded to the Mercer County prosecutor’s office for review.
   — While on patrol, Sgt. Kevin Zorn located a vehicle in a ditch on Woosamonsa Road on Jan. 5. The sergeant spoke with the driver, Lacey Macedo, 30, of Woosamonsa Road, Hopewell Township, who had a strong odor of alcohol on her breath.
   After further investigation, Ms. Macedo was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. She was transported to police headquarters for processing and issued summonses for DWI, refusing to take a breath test, reckless driving, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and uninsured vehicle. Ms. Macedo was later released to a relative, Her case will be hear in Municipal Court.