13 Drivers Nabbed In 4-Hour DWI Checkpoint

A DWI checkpoint set up by the Mahwah Police Department on Ramapo Valley Road over the weekend yielded what cops are calling “alarming” results.

In four hours late Friday night into early Saturday morning, cops made five DWI arrests and eight drug-related arrests, Police Chief Jim Batelli said in a release late Sunday night. Most of the drug arrests were marijuana-related, police said. 

Police also arrested one man on an outstanding warrant charge, and one 18-year-old on an underage possession of alcohol charge, Batelli said.

At least one of the drivers had a blood alcohol level over twice the legal limit, Batelli said.

Six of those arrested are Mahwah residents, police said.

The police chief said he was concerned with the results of the detail.

“These results portray a snap shot of the condition of motorists who were driving on the roadway during these hours,” Batelli said in the release. “For those motorists who obey the law and don't drink and drive, they have to be aware of those irresponsible motorists who make a conscious choice to drink alcohol and then get behind the wheel of motor vehicle.”

About two dozen motor vehicle tickets were also issued during the sweep, cops said.

Friday marked the second checkpoint the MPD has conducted in the past two months. The last one, in May, netted 10 drug and alcohol-related arrests.

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