VERNON TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPT.

Aug. 12
Jason Rinker, 39, of Vernon was charged with second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, fourth-degree certain person not to have weapons, third-deree manufacturing, distributing or dispensing marijuana in a quantity of more than 1 ounce but less than 5 pounds and having drug paraphernalia.

Police said Rinker was released on $75,000 bail.

Aug. 16
Christopher Banta, 34, of Wantage, and Brian VanPuttenvink, 33 of Vernon were charged with driving while intoxicated after township police responded to the Lamp Post Inn for a report of a motor vehicle accident.

They also were charged with refusal to submit to a breath sample, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report an accident and careless driving.

Police said it was reported that a motorist struck a telephone pole while attempting to avoid a deer. Upon arrival officers observed a telephone pole that had been knocked over and was blocking the exit of the bar. Police said officers spoke to several witnesses who related that the vehicle had fled the scene of the accident.

Officers located the suspect vehicle on Drew Mountain Road and performed a motor vehicle stop. Police said Bantha several roadside field sobriety tests. Police said during the investigation, Brian VanPuttenvink, 33, of Vernon entered the bar while Banta drove off.

Both men were transported to police headquarters where they were processed and released pending a future Vernon Twp. Court Date.