Montgomery Police Report DUI, Theft, Scam, and Arrests in Recent Incidents

Montgomery Township, May 6, 2025

Nicholas Mistretta

The Montgomery Township Police Department has released a series of reports detailing recent incidents in the township ranging from DWI arrests to theft, a scam case, and recovered missing persons. The following is a summary of the police activity from April 19 through April 25.

Driver Arrested for DWI After Reckless Driving Call
On April 19 at 9:44 p.m., Montgomery police responded to a report of a reckless driver on County Route 601. Sergeant John Colucci located the vehicle at the intersection of Great Road and Cherry Valley Road and observed several motor vehicle violations before initiating a traffic stop.

The driver, identified as Melquiade Paz-Gonzalez, 46, of Lawrenceville, NJ, was determined to be driving while intoxicated. He was arrested, transported to Montgomery Township Police Headquarters, and later released after processing. Paz-Gonzalez was issued multiple citations including DWI, refusal to submit to breath testing, delaying traffic, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving, and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. He is scheduled to appear in Montgomery Municipal Court.

$9,000 Worth of Tools Stolen From Construction Site
Between April 18 and April 21, tools valued at approximately $9,000 were reported stolen from a truck parked at a construction site on Scarborough Road. Police are investigating the theft and encourage anyone with information to contact the department.

License Plate Reader Helps Locate Missing Person
On April 21 at 9:58 p.m., Officer Troy Gonzalez was notified by the Flock Safety License Plate Reader System of a vehicle on Route 206 linked to a missing person case out of East Windsor. Officer Gonzalez stopped the vehicle near Orchard Road and confirmed the driver was the individual reported missing. The person was escorted to MTPD HQ and later reunited with a family member.

Social Media Scam Costs Resident $1,000
Police reported a scam incident on April 24 where a resident was tricked into sending $1,000 after receiving a message on social media from someone posing as a former high school acquaintance. The scammer claimed to need money for a relative’s medical emergency. After sending the money, the victim learned that the acquaintance’s account had been hacked. Authorities urge residents to verify unusual financial requests, even if they appear to come from someone they know.

Two Arrested on Separate Motor Vehicle Stops
On April 25 at 3:31 a.m., Officer Austin Van Ness stopped a vehicle on Route 206 near Opossum Road, operated by Steven Hawthorne, 44, of Hillsborough. A check revealed two active warrants for Hawthorne’s arrest from Bound Brook and Readington Municipal Courts. He was arrested and turned over to Bound Brook Police after being processed at MTPD HQ.

Later that morning at 11:03 a.m., Officer Connor Chapkowski stopped Wilkens Bateau, 26, of Hamilton, on Route 206 for motor vehicle violations. During the stop, Chapkowski discovered several license plates from various states not associated with Bateau. One of the plates had been reported stolen. Bateau was arrested and charged with Receiving Stolen Property, in addition to the observed traffic offenses. He was processed and released pending a court appearance.

Photo Credit: Daniel Tadevosyan/shutterstock.com