Byram Police

The Byram Township Police Department announced the promotion of Guy M. Mariani to the rank of sergeant. Mariani is a graduate of the Morris County Police Academy and holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice. Sgt. Mariani will be assigned as a patrol supervisor on the evening shift. He currently lives in Allamuchy with his wife Jennifer. June 5 At 5:55 p.m. Byram police responded to Tomahawk Lake for a motor vehicle accident. After a brief investigation it was determined that Elis Cruz, 26, of Clifton, had struck a parked car in the parking lot of Tomahawk Lake and that Cruz was under the influence of alcohol. After being placed under Cruz arrest complained of difficulty breathing and appeared to be in need of medical assistance. Officers requested an ambulance and Cruz was removed from the patrol car and was about to be administered oxygen by the officers when he jumped up and squared off in a fighting stance. Cruz then swung at both officers, missing one and striking the other officer in the jaw. Cruz was then restrained by the officers and transported to Newton Hospital to be checked out. After his release from the hospital, Cruz was processed where he was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, careless driving, driving while intoxicated, driving while suspended, leaving the scene of an accident, and failing to report an accident. Cruz was then lodged in the Sussex County jail in default of bail. June 6 At 4:30 p.m. Byram Township Police received a report of an erratic driver heading south on Route 206. The vehicle was spotted entering the township straddling the double yellow line. As it passed by the patrol car it crossed over the line nearly striking the patrol car. The vehicle was stopped and further investigation revealed the driver, Loretta Mikolay, 49, of Byram, to be under the influence of alcohol. Mikolay was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters where she refused to submit to breath tests. Mikolay was processed and charged with driving while intoxicated, failure to maintain a lane of travel, not wearing a seatbelt and refusing to submit to breath tests. Mikolay was released to a family member pending a municipal court hearing. June 7 At 11:04 a.m. Officer DeWald observed a vehicle being driven by Gerardo Sanchez, Jr., 20 of Stanhope, parked in the handicap parking space in front of the Quick-Chek store. Sanchez exited the store and began pulling out of the parking space when he was stopped by Officer DeWald. After a brief roadside investigation, Sanchez was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters where he failed two breath tests. He was processed and released to a friend pending a June municipal court appearance. Sanchez was charged with a handicap parking violation, underage driving while Intoxicated and driving while intoxicated. His vehicle was impounded for 12 hours as required by state law,