Wyckoff August 29, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Police chase DWI suspect into attic after hit-and-run by John Koster Members of the Wyckoff Police Department pursued an accused driving while intoxicated offender into her own attic before arresting her for a hit-and-run incident involving alcohol. Wyckoff is now engaged in a special campaign to apprehend drunk drivers with the help of a state grant, but this particular collision was due to a visible incident rather than extra surveillance. On Aug. 18 at 5:30 p.m., police received a report that a hit-and-run had taken place at the intersection of Wyckoff Avenue and Franklin Avenue. Patrolman Michael DeMaio investigated and determined that one vehicle had stopped at a red light, when a second vehicle backed into the first vehicle and then fled the scene. Police learned the license plate of the offending vehicle and, with the assistance of the Midland Park Police Department, the vehicle was located in the driveway of a home on Godwin Avenue in Midland Park. The accused driver, a 58-year-old Midland Park woman, was ultimately found hiding in an attic space. She was arrested for DWI. Following a breath test, the woman was also charged with reckless driving, improper backing of a vehicle, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident. She was released to a friend. On Aug. 19, at 9:25 p.m., a citizen reported a possible drunk driver on Route 208. The citizen followed the suspicious vehicle to a house in Wyckoff and notified the police. Wyckoff Police Sergeant Daniel Kellogg and Wyckoff Patrolman Mark Tagliareni drove up to the house and found the driver standing in the driveway. The 33-year-old man was arrested for DWI following field sobriety tests and was released to his wife after a breath test at police headquarters. At 1:58 a.m. on Aug. 21, Sergeant Brian Zivkovich observed a vehicle on Russell Avenue that was driving erratically and had verged over the center line. The sergeant made a traffic stop on Wyckoff Avenue. After taking a breath test, the driver, a 50-year-old Wyckoff man, was charged with DWI, reckless driving, and failure to maintain his lane of travel. He was released to a family member. The arrests follow Wyckoff’s receipt of a $4,400 grant from the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety. The money is being used for extra DWI patrols from Aug. 17 to Sept. 3. “DWI remains a national issue that all too often has tragic results,” Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox said. “As a result, I’m committed to fighting back at this danger for the safety of the citizens and motorists of our community. Lieutenant Charles Van Dyk, my officer in charge of the traffic bureau, applied for and obtained this grant that will increase our patrols dedicated to the apprehension of drivers who have consumed too much alcohol, or are driving under the influence of narcotics. Some of my patrol officers are the best in the business at detecting, arresting, and convicting drivers for DWI. My warning to drivers would be this: Keep yourself and others safe by staying out from behind the wheel if you have had too much to drink. Should you choose to ignore this advice, we’re going to get you, and my officers will arrest you.” Wyckoff routinely receives accolades from the AAA for safety education and is noted for traffic safety enforcement. The 55th Annual Wyckoff Fire Department Fireworks Display and Band Concert Fundraiser will be held Sept.1 on Memorial Field, behind Memorial Town Hall, 340 Franklin Avenue. (Rain date: Sept. 3.) Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy the concert, which will begin at 6:45 p.m. The fireworks are scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $10 each. Children under age 10 will be admitted free. Fire department fireworks tickets on sale Tickets are available at the clerk’s office at Wyckoff Town Hall, 340 Franklin Avenue; Wyckoff YMCA, 695 Wyckoff Avenue; Blue Moon Café, 327 Franklin Avenue; Market Basket, 300 Sicomac Avenue, Wyckoff; Yudin’s, 378 Main Street; Waldwick Prime Meats, 384 Main Street, Wyckoff; and Park Wood Deli, 342 Erie Avenue, Midland Park. The Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department is comprised (continued on page 17)