Cop’s Sister Arrested for DWI in Middletown Township, NJ

Around 11:51 PM on May 2, 2024, Patrolman John Mania with the Middletown Township Police Department was on patrol in the area of State Route 35 North and Chapel Hill Road, and he observed a black 2021 Mazda swerving between lanes on multiple occasions. He activated his emergency lights in the area of Buckingham Circle, but the driver did not stop the vehicle until she approached the area of State Route 35 North and Woodland Drive. After she finally pulled over, Patrolman Mania made contact with the driver, who was identified as Asma.

Asma was asked for her documents, and Patrolman Mania asked her where she was coming from. As Patrolman Mania was speaking with her, he detected the odor of alcohol. Asma told him that she had been at Charlie’s in Lincroft for a work event earlier that evening before heading over to Gabriela’s in Red Bank. When he asked her if she had anything to drink, she initially admitted to consuming a glass of wine at Gabriela’s. However, she would later admit to consuming 2 glasses of wine and possibly some champagne as well. Asma also handed Patrolman Mania a card indicating that her brother was a police officer. After Patrolman Chambers arrived on scene to assist, Patrolman Mania returned to his patrol car to check her information. Based on his suspicion of impairment, Asma was asked to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety exercises.

The first exercise was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, and Sergeant Mazza observed a lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, and the onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees. No vertical gaze nystagmus was observed. The second exercise was the Walk and Turn test. During the Walk and Turn test, Asma failed to touch heel-to-toe on each step, took an incorrect number of steps, and used her arms for balance. The final exercise was the One Leg Stand test, and Asma failed to raise her foot in the proper fashion and swayed while balancing.

Based on her erratic driving patterns, the odor of alcohol on her person, and her inability to adequately complete the field sobriety exercises, Patrolman Mania placed Asma under arrest for driving under the influence. Her vehicle was impounded for a mandatory 12-hour hold under John’s Law. She was transported by Patrolman Mania to Middletown Township Police Headquarters for further processing.

At police HQ, Asma was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators and initially agreed to submit breath samples for testing. Sergeant Michael Heaton attempted to administer the Alcotest machine, but she failed to provided adequate samples despite 4 separate attempts and she was ultimately charged with a refusal. After they were finished processing her, Asma was eventually released to a friend after she signed the Potential Liability Warning Form on her behalf. She was issued the following summonses: Operating under the influence, consent to take breath samples, reckless driving, failure to wear seat belt, and traffic on marked lanes

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