Fairfield (NJ) – The Fairfield Police Department announces the arrest of three people in consecutive days for driving while intoxicated. The details of each are as follows:
On Friday, September 15, 2023, at approximately 12:47 am, Officer Luca Catania was on patrol on Hollywood Avenue when he came upon a vehicle running in the roadway. He observed someone slumped over the steering wheel and investigated further. Officer Catania was able to awaken the driver, William Kobovitch, (32), of Elizabeth, NJ. While speaking with Kobovitch, officer Catania allegedly observed him to be exhibiting signs and symptoms of someone who was under the influence, to include bloodshot and watery eyes, and slurred speech. While speaking with Kobovitch, it is alleged that he handed over a crack pipe to the officer. At this time, he was placed under arrest and transported to headquarters for processing. The vehicle was impounded per New Jersey law.
Corporal James High, a certified Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) performed additional testing on Kobovitch. It is alleged that based on this testing Kobovitch was found to be under the influence of narcotics. He was formally charged with driving while intoxicated, driving with a suspended license, being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and possessing drug paraphernalia. Kobovitch was later released pending a September 28, 2023,appearance in the Fairfield Municipal Court.
On Saturday, September 16, 2023, at approximately 1:49 am, Officer Patrick Reynolds was travelling on Passaic Avenue when he allegedly observed a vehicle carelessly change lanes. He observed several additional motor vehicle violations prior to safely conducting a motor vehicle stop. Officer Reynolds contacted the driver, Gregory Carofine (61), of Clifton, NJ. While speaking with him, officer Reynolds allegedly observed Carofine to be exhibiting signs and symptoms of someone who was under the influence, to include the odor of an alcoholic beverage, as well as bloodshot and watery eyes.
Based on the totality of the circumstance, field sobriety testing was conducted. Carofine was subsequently placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. The vehicle was impounded per New Jersey law.
Carofine was transported to headquarters for processing where it is alleged that his blood alcohol content was above the legal limit. Carofine was charged with driving while intoxicated as well as several other motor vehicle violations. He was later released pending a September 28, 2023, appearance in the Fairfield Municipal Court.
On Sunday, September 17, 2023, at approximately 1:05 am, officers were dispatched to Route 46 East near the West Essex Diner for a report of a motor vehicle accident involving a vehicle that had struck a pole and rolled over. Units arrived on scene and found a silver Ford Focus on its side, with bystanders assisting to help the driver of that vehicle.
Officer Jesse Schnackenberg investigated and found the driver, Aide Evangelistaramire (29), of Pine Brook, NJ, near her vehicle and uninjured. While speaking with her, Officer Schnackenberg allegedly observed Evangelistaramire to be exhibiting signs and symptoms consistent with someone who was under the influence, to include slurred speech, bloodshot, watery eyes, and the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from her breath. It is alleged that officers located two open containers of beer in the vehicle.
At this point, standardized field sobriety testing was conducted. Evangelistaramire was subsequently placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. The vehicle was impounded per New Jersey law. Evangelistaramire was transported to headquarters for processing, where it is alleged that her blood alcohol content was more than two times the legal limit. Evangelistaramire was charged with driving while intoxicated, having an open container in the motor vehicle, and several other motor vehicle violations. She was later released pending a September 28, 2023,appearance in the Fairfield Municipal Court.
(Charges are merely allegations until the defendantsare proven guilty or plead guilty in a court of law).
Issued by: Officer Stacy Chiarolanza (PIO)
