Cops Surprise Drunk Woman at her House After Another Driver Reports Her

Around 12:31 PM on August 29, 2024, the Waldwick Police Department received a phone call regarding a red SUV that was being driven erratically and swerving on E Prospect Street from Route 17. The complainant, Robert O’Hara, told the officers that he followed the vehicle all the way to a residence in before observing the driver exit the vehicle and stumble towards her residence. Officers Thomas Zachmann and Luke Jimenez responded to the residence to investigate further.

They arrived on scene and noticed a red 2017 Lincoln MKC that was parked in the driveway and the vehicle was unoccupied. Officer Zachmann made contact with the female who admitted that she had driven the vehicle, and she was soon identified as Helene Soldano. As they were speaking with her, they detected the odor of alcohol and observed other indicators of impairment. She admitted to consuming vodka earlier that day. Based on their suspicions of impairment, Helene was asked to perform field sobriety exercises. However, she refused to do so.

Sergeant Michael Sinclair then arrived on scene and confirmed that the witness was willing to provide them with a voluntary statement. Based on the witness’s account of events, the odor of alcohol, and her unwillingness to perform field sobriety exercises, Helene was placed under arrest for DWI. Her vehicle was impounded by Citywide Towing for a mandatory 12-hour hold under John’s Law. Officer Zachmann transported Helene to the Waldwick Police Department for further processing.

At the station, the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators was read to her, but she refused to submit breath samples. After they finished processing Helene, she was transported back to her residence and released to her 80-year-old mother after she signed the Potential Liability Warning form on Helene’s behalf.

Officer Zachmann issued Helene the following traffic tickets:

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

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

-Consent to take samples of breath (39:4-50.2)

-Reckless driving (39:4-96)

-Careless driving (39:4-97)

Court records indicate that on March 24, 2025, Helene was found guilty of operating under the influence and refusal to submit to chemical test. As a result of her convictions, her license was revoked for 1 day, while she also had to spend 12 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center and use an ignition interlock device for 3 months. The total amount that she had to pay in fines was $1,080, while the other 3 citations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

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