Police: Man Arrested Twice Within Hours on Drug Charges

A village man who was arrested on drug charges in Waldwick last week crashed his car in Ridgewood while under the influence and in possession of heroin hours later, authorities said Tuesday night.

Joseph Caputo was charged with possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia, DWI and leaving the scene of an accident, among other motor vehicle violations.

Ridgewood police began seeking the 28-year-old after they responded around 9 p.m. last Tuesday, Dec. 10 to a report that he had overdosed at a Dayton Street residence. 

He was not there when they arrived, but was later found in Waldwick and left in the custody of police there on charges of being under the influence and possessing drug paraphernalia, according to Ridgewood police.

Waldwick Police did not respond to initial requests for information Wednesday on the circumstances surrounding his release.

Hours later, just before 5 a.m. the next day, police say Caputo crashed his car into a utility pole on North Maple Avenue near the intersection of Meadowbrook Road. He allegedly drove the damaged Jeep down Meadowbrook and dumped it a block away near Vesta Court.

Officer Anthony Mormino, responding to the reported crash, found Caputo walking under the influence down Maple toward Ho-Ho-Kus, police said. Officers found him in possession of an unspecified amount of heroin.

Caputo was arrested and released pending an appearance in municipal court.