Tip Leads Police to DWI, Assault Charges

Acting on a tip from an anonymous caller, West Orange police arrested a 59-year-old West Orange man on several charges, including driving while intoxicated.

Police said they pulled up at Jonathan Crawford’s house on Park Drive North just as Crawford tried to get out of his 2004 Honda Civic. Police saw the car had a flat rear passenger side tire and the front passenger side tire had visible fresh scrapes and scuff marks.

Police said they noticed Crawford was having problems trying to get out of his car and dropped his cell phone and wallet as well as having difficulty picking the items up because he was swaying from side to side and almost falling over.

After finally picking up the items, police said, Crawford was stumbling around and had to hold on to his car just to stand up.

Police said when they got close enough to speak to Crawford, they noticed his eyes were glassy and bloodshot and he had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath.

An officer at the scene reported he saw two open containers on the front passenger seat of the car.

Police reported when they questioned Crawford about the flat tire and car damage, he became very irate and combative. When police attempted to administer a field sobriety test, they said Crawford became more combative, refused to cooperate and was arrested.

At police headquarters, Crawford continued to be combative and kicked an officer in his right knee when the officer tried to administer a Breathalyzer test. Police then asked Crawford if he was under the influence of any drugs, but he refused to answer.

Police decided to take Crawford to Saint Barnabas Medical Center for a urine test, but they reported he was uncooperative and going through mood swings. He refused to answer questions from doctors, nurses or police and police brought him back to police headquarters and put in a cell.

He was charged with one count of driving while intoxicated, driving with a suspended license, having an open container in a car and one count of aggravated assault and one count of obstruction.

Crawford was released on his own recognizance and given a municipal court date of June 6.