64 Bundles of Suspected Heroin Found in Car on Route 23

The following arrest information was supplied by the Butler Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.

Butler police arrested two men on drug charges Sunday after they said they found 64 bundles of suspected heroin in the vehicle they were in on Route 23. Zachary Dagis, 18, of Franklin, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of a hypodermic syringe. Frederick Garfinkel, 25, of Stillwater, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to maintain a lane, failure to change his address and operation of a motor vehicle with faulty brake lights. At 11:06 p.m., police were on routine patrol when they saw a blue Acura traveling without proper brake lights. Police stopped the vehicle and spoke to the driver, Garfinkel. Ptl. Jarred Schmiedhauser then spoke to Dagis and said he allegedly received …

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Several Arrested on Warrants in Butler

The following arrest information was supplied by the Butler Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.

Several were arrested on warrants last week in the Borough of Butler. Butler Police Department disclaimer: A charge is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. For questions on this blotter, email ariana.cohn-sheehan@patch.com

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Police: N.Y. Men Caught Burglarizing Sprint Store

Suspects apprehended after leading authorities on foot chase, also charged in Wayne burglary.

Two New York men were caught early Friday morning after leading authorities on a foot chase when they were allegedly caught stealing items from a Route 23 cell phone store in Butler, police said Monday. Josie Pena, 23, of Corona, N.Y., and Christopher Lide, 28, of Queens, N.Y., were charged with burglary, obstructing administration of the law, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, criminal trespassing and tampering with evidence. Five police departments and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report by a passing mororist on Route 23 North of an alleged burglary in progress at the Sprint cellular telephone store Friday at 5:54 a.m., Butler police said. Butler Police Ptl. Jorge Reyes and Sgt. Keith …

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Police: Man Tampered With Government Documents

Indiana resident allegedly found with three municipal government license plates in vehicle.

An Indiana man was charged with tampering with government records after Butler police said he allegedly gave officers an altered document of ownership for 1987 Chevy Caprice he was driving before it was impounded on Saturday. According to police, Said Ali El-Khatib, 25, of Fort Wayne, Ind., was stopped during a routine license plate check on Route 23 North Saturday shortly before 1 a.m. During the license plate check, police said they discovered that El-Khatib’s license plate was not on file with the Indiana Motor Vehicle Commission. When asked to provide credentials, police said El-Khatib was unable to produce a valid insurance card, proof of vehicle ownership and insurance card. Police then searched the vehicle and found El-Khatib to …

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Hundreds Come Out for Tri-Community Night Out

National Night Out was held in the tri-boro at Butler Park Tuesday.

Hundreds of people from Butler, Bloomingdale and Kinnelon gathered at Butler Park Tuesday night for National Night Out, a drug-free community event that brings law enforcement officials together with residents for a night of food and fun. When they weren't collecting giveaways or playing games sponsored by several local businesses (including Traditional Okinawan Karate, AJ's Pizza, Quick Chek, New York Sports Club, Target and more), several kids and adults enjoyed free Italian ice and danced to music in the parking lot of the Butler Police Department on High Street. The Police Pipes and Drums Band of Morris County also gave a special performance during the event, as well as the Bloomingdale Cornet Band. Also in attendance were Kinnelon, …

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Man Pepper Sprayed After Neighbor's Window Found Shot With Projectile

Police said 18-year-old was found hiding under a pile of clothes in the basement.

An 18-year-old Butler man was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and aggravated assault on police officers with force after police allegedly pepper sprayed him as he struggled to resist arrest on Wednesday. Police said Dylan Hannah was allegedly found hiding under a pile of clothes in the basement of his home after they had received a report from a West Belleview Avenue resident saying that her window had been shot with a projectile from a firearm. Police responded at 3:04 p.m. where the woman who reported the incident said she saw her neighbor’s window allegedly close after the incident. Police looked at the neighbor’s window and saw Hannah allegedly run out of his room and a pellet gun leaning …

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Know Your Neighbor

For Butler Detective, Working Among Men is Routine

Decorated female detective said she joined Butler force to help people.

Name: Det. Colleen Pascale, 40, has grown used to being a woman surrounded by men at work. At 19 she was the first female firefighter in Butler. “It was 99 men and myself,” Pascale said. “Then, in 1992, along with being on the fire department, I joined the Butler Police Department and I’ve been the only female here. So, for me, it’s just a matter of routine.” Today Pascale is the only woman, and the only detective, on the Butler Police force. Honor Legion: Pascale is also the only female police officer currently serving on the board of the Honor Legion of the Police Departments of the State of New Jersey. “Since the time of the board there have only been two female officers ever on the board,” said Pascale. The Honor Legion is made up of…

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Man Arrested After Fleeing Scene on Foot, Cops Say

Police said man was found hiding behind Main Street businesses.

The following story was updated on December 13, 2012 to reflect amendments made to the original charges. A 26-year-old Pompton Plains man was charged with obstructing administration of the law after a motor vehicle stop in which he allegedly fled from police on foot. Police said they stopped the red Nissan Jeffrey Afflitto, 26, was driving at about 10:21 p.m. on July 7, 2011 because he was allegedly not wearing his seatbelt. During the investigation, police said Afflitto allegedly fled the scene on foot. Afflitto was found hiding behind several Main Street businesses, police said, and arrested and transported to the police station. He posted bail ($15,000 with a 10 percent option). He was released to a family member and issued a ticket to …

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Police: Butler Man Suffers Back and Neck Injuries in Crash

Route 23 traffic closed for about an hour Thursday during investigation.

An Butler man was entrapped in his vehicle Thursday after police said he struck a 2003 Dodge Ram from behind at the intersection of Route 23 North and Morse Avenue. Police said they received a call about the motor vehicle accident at about 2:15 p.m., and found 81-year-old Michael Santoro entrapped in his vehicle. The Butler Fire Department was called to the scene and extricated Santoro from the vehicle. Police said Santoro was transported to Morristown Trauma Center for a head injury and the 70-year-old driver of the vehicle that was struck was transported to Chilton Memorial Hospital for neck and back injuries. Route 23 traffic was closed for about one hour during the investigation. Tri-boro First Aid Squad and the Bloomingdale Fire …

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Traffic Moving After 2-Car Accident on Route 23

Police and fire officials stopped traffic Thursday afternoon at the intersection of Route 23 and Morse Avenue in Butler to investigate accident.

Traffic is moving again on Route 23 North after police and fire officials cleaned up from a two-car accident at the intersection of Route 23 and Morse Avenue, police said. According to Butler Police Capt. Ciro Chimento, the only preliminary information that was available was that two motor vehicles appeared to be involved. Fire officials from the Butler Fire Department were on the scene. Patch will have updates on this story.

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