Police: West Milford Driver's Blood Alcohol Level Nearly Three Times Over Limit

A 46-year-old West Milford man was charged with DUI Monday after police said he was found to have a blood alcohol content level that was nearly three times the legal limit.

Police said they received a 911 call about an erratic driver traveling on Route 23 North in a black 1988 Toyota Pickup truck at about 10:45 p.m.

Police identified and pulled over the vehicle, driven by William Bender.

Police said Bender refused to perform several field sobriety tests. Bender was arrested and transported to the , where police said he supplied breath samples. Police said results showed him to have a .23 percent blood alcohol concentration.

In addition to driving under the influence of alcohol, police said Bender was charged with reckless driving, failure to maintain a lane and failure to exhibit a driver’s license. Bender was released to a family member and issued a ticket to appear in court at a later date. Kinnelon police assisted with the arrest.

In other arrests

Michael Taher, 23, of Oak Ridge, was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of hypodermic syringes after police said he was allegedly found with empty heroin packages and two hypodermic syringes in a car Sunday.

Police said Taher was the passenger in a blue 2008 Nissan Altima on Route 23 North at about 1 a.m. when police said they noticed the driver allegedly driving erratically and pulled the vehicle over.

Upon further investigation, police said they noticed an empty heroin package sticking out of Taher’s shoe and later discovered him to be in possession of the syringes and additional empty heroin packages.

Taher was arrested and transported to the Butler police station. He was released in his own recognizance and issued a ticket to appear in court at a later date. Kinnelon police assisted with the arrest.

Dylan Cronk, 18, of West Milford, was arrested and charged with possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana after police said he was allegedly found to be in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

According to police, Cronk was the passenger in a 2001 red Honda in which the driver was allegedly failing to maintain their lane at about 4:10 a.m. on Saturday when police stopped the vehicle. Police said the driver had crossed over the double yellow lines several times.

Upon further investigation, police said Ptl. Jarred Schmiedhauser noticed drug paraphernalia, which included a marijuana grinder and portable digital scale, in addition to a small quantity of marijuana, in the vehicle.

Cronk was arrested and transported to the Butler police station. He was released in his own recognizance with a ticket to appear in court at a later date.

Logan Howe-Richards, 20, of Lincoln Park, was arrested and charged with possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana and possession of controlled dangerous substances in a motor vehicle after police said marijuana was discovered in the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix he was a passenger in.

According to police, Gerald D. Matthews, 22, of Butler, was driving the vehicle at about 8:55 p.m. on Sunday when police noticed that Matthews’ driver’s license was suspended. After stopping the vehicle, police said they were met with Matthews and Howe-Richards and while arranging to have the vehicle impounded, police allgedly noticed the marijuana.

Police said that after an investigation, Howe-Richards was allegedly determined to be the owner of the marijuana.

Both were arrested and transported to the Butler police station. Matthews was charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. Both were released in their own recognizance and issued tickets to appear in court at later dates.

Andrew Christiansen, 21, of Glenwood, was arrested and charged with possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, failure to wear a seatbelt, operating a motor vehicle with an inoperable vehicle and failure to exhibit vehicle registration and insurance documentation after his vehicle was stopped Sunday.

According to police, Christiansen was driving on Route 23 North when police were conducting a speed enforcement detail and found his 1998 Honda Prelude to have an inoperable exhaust system.

Police stopped the vehicle and said they allegedly saw marijuana residue on the floorboards of the car.

Christiansen was arrested and transported to the Butler police station. He was released in his own recognizance and issued a ticket to appear in court at a later date.

For questions on this blotter, email