Crime & Safety
Underage Drinking Party Leads To Multiple Arrests, Charges
The following information was provided by the Cranford Police Department. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.
The following report is a press release from the Cranford Police Department.
Following a police response to a fight in progress call on Sept. 2, 28 people were charged with alcohol related violations, according to the .
Police became aware of the incident on Sept. 2, at 11:26 p.m. when calls were
received reporting a fight in progress on the 400-block of Denman Road. Arriving patrol units observed numerous individuals, including known juveniles, fleeing the area into the backyard of a residence on Denman Road. When police officers followed, they discovered alcoholic beverage containers scattered about the yard and other evidence of alcoholic beverage consumption in and around the residence, according to a press release from the police department.
Cranford officers conducted an investigation at the scene, detained 26 people under the age of 21, and located the homeowners in the residence. After it was determined that no one on scene required medical attention, officers were able to process the scene and issue charges.
The homeowners, Richard and Karen Barry, were both arrested and charged with offering alcoholic beverage to underage persons, which is a disorderly persons offense.
Additional adults processed and released at the scene include: Mary Acton, Thomas Demaio, Manuel Garcia, Jeremy Mazzola, Amanda Tarantino, Nicole Tarantino, Zachary Williams and Andrew Wohl, all 18 years of age from Cranford. Each was issued a court summons charging a violation of Township Ordinance 58-16: Underage Possession or Consumption of Alcohol.
In addition to the arrests, 18 Cranford juveniles, ranging in age from 16-17 years old, were also charged with violating Township Ordinance 58-16: Underage Possession or Consumption of Alcohol. Parents were contacted and the juveniles were released to parents at the scene. One juvenile was also
charged with resisting arrest.
All parties charged were released with Municipal or Family Court proceedings pending.
Do you believe underage drinking is become a problem in Cranford? Respond to our poll question or leave a comment below.
Find out what's happening in Cranfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.