Hairstylist Gets Drunk at a Wedding and Gets Arrested for DWI

Around 10:28 PM on September 21, 2025, Patrolman Tyler Demmerle with the Beach Haven Police Department observed a black 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan driving without headlights in the vicinity of Ninth Street and Bay Avenue. He activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, and the driver pulled over at 15th Street and Long Beach Voulevard. He exited his patrol car and made contact with the driver, who was identified as Melina Villegas.

She told him that she was coming from a wedding at Parker’s Garage where she was styling hair. He detected the odor of alcohol, and she admitted to consuming alcohol earlier that evening. To test her sobriety, he asked her to recite the alphabet from “D” to “N,” but she was unable to do so. Melina was then asked to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety exercises.

The final exercise was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, and it was performed by Patrolman McCaffrey. The second exercise was the Walk and Turn test. During the Walk and Turn test, Melina failed to touch heel-to-toe on each step, turned improperly, and took an incorrect number of steps. The final exercise was the One Leg Stand test. During the One Leg Stand test, Melina failed to raise her foot in the proper fashion and put her foot down before the test was complete.

Based on the odor of alcohol, her admission to drinking earlier that evening, and her inability to satisfactorily complete the field sobriety exercises, Patrolman Demmerle placed Melina under arrest for driving under the influence. Melina’s vehicle was impounded by South Shore Towing for a 12-hour hold according to John’s Law. Patrolman Demmerle transported Melina to the Beach Haven Police Department for further processing.

Melina was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators at the station, but she refused to provide breath samples. After the officers finished processing her, she was released to her boyfriend pending her court appearance after he signed the Potential Liability Warning form on Melina’s behalf.

Patrolman Demmerle issued Melina the following citations:

-Operating under the influence (39:4-50)

-Refusal to submit to chemical test (39:4-50.4A)

-Failure to use lighted lamps when required (39:3-47A)

Court records indicate that on February 2, 2026, Melina pleaded guilty to operating under the influence. As a result of her conviction, Melina had to use an ignition interlock device for 3 months, spend 12 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center, and pay a total of $640 in fines. The other 2 citations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

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