Also, police make DWI arrests

HAMMONTON—Two people were charged with shoplifting from a store in Hammonton, but were caught by Chesilhurst Police, Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said. The alleged shoplifting occurred at a store on the 100 block of Route 206 in Hammonton at 4:47 p.m. on May 5, Friel said.

Two subjects went in and shoplifted a Stihl Cutquik Cutoff machine valued at $1,100 and a six-pack of Stihl high performance two cycle engine oil, Friel said.

They left in a vehicle northbound on Route 206 and were located by the Chesilhurst Police Department, Friel said. The suspects were identified as Katielee Carty, 28, of Waterford Twp, and Michael Campione, 33, of Hammonton, Friel said.

Both subjects were found to be in possession of said items and were also found to have active NCIC warrants, Friel said.

Campione was charged with shoplifting, a third degree offense and Carty was charged with shoplifting, also a third degree offense, Friel said. They are both awaiting a court appearance in Atlantic County Superior Court, Friel said.

Both subjects were transported to the Atlantic County Jail on the NCIC warrants, Friel said.

Officer Gordon Ellis III was the arresting officer, Friel said.

Also, police responded to an erratic driver call and wound up making a driving while under the influence (DWI) arrest, Friel said. The arrest occurred on Route 206 at 9:34 p.m. on May 4, Friel said.

“There was a vehicle that was swerving and failing to maintain the lane of travel and tailgating. The vehicle was observed by Officer Gordon Ellis III and stopped for failing to maintain a lane of travel,” Friel said.

Howard Patterson, 59, of Philadelphia, was stopped for failure to maintain a lane, discovered to have an active warrant from Hamilton Twp. in the amount of $1,500 and to be operating the vehicle under the influence, Friel said.

He was placed under arrest, transported to police headquarters for processing, released as per John’s Law and on his own recognizance on the warrant pending a new court date in Hamilton Twp., Friel said.

Patterson was charged with the following: driving while under the influence, driving with a suspended driver’s license, failure to maintain a lane of travel, reckless driving and careless driving, Friel said, adding that Patterson was released pending a court date in Hammonton Joint Municipal Court.

Ellis was the charging and arresting officer, Friel said.

At 1:15 a.m. on May 10, the police department received a call from the prime block on the White Horse Pike (Route 30) involving a possible intoxicated driver in a green pickup, Friel said.

Officer Dalton Verderame, who was the investigating officer, spoke with the vehicle’s driver, Albert Grasso, 75, of Hammonton, Friel said.

“While speaking with Mr. Grasso, Officer Verderame was able to detect an odor of alcoholic beverage on his breath. He was placed under arrest for operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol,” Friel said.

Grasso was transported to police headquarters and charged with the following motor vehicle violations: driving while under the influence, careless driving, refusal to submit to breath test, reckless driving, unregistered vehicle, improper display of plates, uninsured vehicle and failure to possess the vehicle registration, Friel said.

He was released per John’s Law pending a court appearance in Hammonton Joint Municipal Court, Friel said.

Verderame was the charging and arresting officer, Friel said.