UPDATE: DUI, Drug Arrests Top Police Blotter

made seven arrests last week, including several for driving under the influence and one for drug possession.

On Dec. 29 at about 3 p.m., Patrolman Luis Goncalves arrested Raymond Bellavia, 47, of Morristown, on an outstanding traffic warrant issued by Florham Park Municipal Court.

Goncalves stopped Bellavia, who was walking on Waverly Place, after receiving a call of a person acting suspiciously. A computer check revealed the active arrest warrant. Bellavia was transported to headquarters for processing and later released pending a mandatory court appearance.

Also on Dec. 29, at approximately 11 p.m., Patrolman Sean Plumstead arrested Coleen Lennie, 46, of Lake Hiawatha. He charged her with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Plumstead initially stopped Lennie on Green Village Road for a motor vehicle violation, and determined that she was in allegedly possession of narcotics. After processing, she was released pending a mandatory court appearance. Lennie was also issued a motor vehicle summons for maintenance of lamps.

Early on the morning of Dec. 31, Patrolman James Cavezza arrested Jorge Hoyos-Gutierrez, 18, of Madison, for allegedly driving while under the influence. Cavezza initially stopped Hoyos for a speeding violation on Park Avenue, and subsequently determined that he was allegedly driving while under the influence of alcohol. Hoyos-Gutierrez was transported to headquarters for processing and later released to a family member pending a court appearance. 

On Jan. 2 at about 12:30 a.m., Patrolman James Cavezza arrested 18-year-olds Daniel Bekele of East Hanover, Luis Urteaga, of Whippany, and Thomas Lamarca, of Whippany. He charged them with possession of drug paraphernalia and underage alcohol possession. Cavezza initially stopped Bekele on Route 24 for a motor vehicle violation, and later determined that they were allegedly in possession of drug paraphernalia and alcohol. The three were transported to headquarters for processing, and later released pending court appearances. Bekele was also issued a motor vehicle summons for impeding the flow of traffic on a highway.

UPDATE: Charges against Bekele were dismissed in Madison Municipal Court on March 2, 2011 and the case expunged from the record on Nov. 8, 2011.

On Jan. 3 at approximately 11:56 p.m., Patrolman Matthew Mirabella arrested Jeffrey Tollefson, 36, of Madison on an outstanding traffic warrant issued by Madison Municipal Court. Mirabella stopped Tollefson in the Waverly Green Parking Lot after being called there on a report of Tollefson allegedly acting disorderly. A computer check revealed the active warrant.

He was transported to headquarters for processing and released on bail pending a court appearance.

Elsewhere, two Madison residents were arrested for drug possession in Chatham Township.

On Dec. 23, Chatham Township Patrolman Brad Hayworth stopped a motor vehicle traveling on Shunpike Road at 11:44 p.m., after observing the vehicle cross over the double yellow lines, police said.

While Hayworth spoke to the driver of the car, Peter Marotta, 22, of Madison, the officer noticed the smell of burned marijuana in the vehicle, according to the statement. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of Marotta and of his passenger, Cosmo Mastropierro, 22, also of Madison, for alleged possession of marijuana, police said. According to the statement, Mastropierro was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Marotta was charged with driving under the influence of drugs after tests were performed by both Hayworth and a drug recognition officer from the Madison Police Department, according to the statement.

Police said both Marotta and Mastropierro were released on their own recognizance pending a court date scheduled in January.

The Madison Police Department, Fire Department, and Volunteer Ambulance Corps responded to 21 medical emergencies during the week.

Police also investigated eight motor vehicle crashes during the week.

—With contributions by Laura Silvius at Chatham Patch.