Franklin Police

Dec. 8 At approximately 2:25 p.m., Officer Ryan Churchwell was monitoring school traffic at the Franklin Elementary School when he observed an individual acting suspiciously in front of the school. The individual, later identified as Edward A. Dorst Jr. of Franklin, was placed under arrest for disorderly conduct after it was determined that he was intoxicated and began to use profanity in front of several parents and school crossing guards during the course of the investigation. Dorst was subsequently released pending a Franklin Borough Municipal Court appearance. Dec. 13 At approximately 12:15 p.m., Patrolman Nevin J. Mattessich, of the Franklin Borough Police Department arrested Ruby E, Wehdeking, 48, of Hamburg. She was initially stopped for allegedly driving with a suspended New Jersey driver’s license. Further investigation revealed that she had two outstanding warrants from the Borough of Franklin and one from the Borough of Butler totaling $890.19. She was subsequently arrested and transported to Franklin Police Headquarters where she was processed and posted bail. Wehdeking was released after she was issued summonses for driving while suspended, failure to surrender a driver’s license and driving with a view obstruction. Wehdeking was given a date to appear in Franklin Municipal Court. At approximately 3 a.m., Patrolman Seamus Geddis of the Franklin Borough Police Department was on a traffic stop on Route 23 in Franklin Borough, when he arrested 27-year-old Christopher R. Gould of Netcong for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while intoxicated. Gould was processed and released pending a court date in Franklin Municipal Court. Dec. 20 At approximately 10:15 p.m., Officer Ryan Churchwell observed a vehicle make an illegal left hand turn onto Route 23 southbound from the Walmart Parking lot. Following a motor vehicle stop, the driver, 21-year-old Travis M. Keuhlen of Rockaway, was arrested for DWI and issued summonses for that as well as improper turns and careless driving. He was released to a family member pending a future Franklin Court appearance. Officer Churchwell was assisted by Sergeant Jeffrey Smith. Dec. 27 At approximately 2:25 a.m., Franklin Police arrested 26-year-old James B. Fitzpatrick of Franklin, for DWI, after an officer observed his vehicle straddling the white fog line on Route 23. Fitzpatrick was issued additional summonses for failure to maintain lane, careless driving, failure to signal a turn, unclear plates, improper specifications and improper attachment of an emergency blue light. He was released pending a Franklin Municipal Court date. Officer Ryan Churchwell investigated and was assisted by Officer Nevin Mattessich.