Crime & Safety

Washington Twp. Police Release Details on Moriarty DWI Arrest

The Fourth Legislative District assemblyman was arrested Tuesday afternoon on the Black Horse Pike.

Washington Township Police Department on Wednesday issued a brief press release detailing the afternoon on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

Officer Joseph Dibuonaventura stopped Moriarty at 3:53 p.m. at 5651 Black Horse Pike, in the township's Turnersville section.

Moriarty indicated in a statement he issued Tuesday night around 9:40 that Dibuonaventura accused him of cutting off the officer's police cruiser in an intersection.

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During the traffic stop, Moriarty was placed under arrest on the charge of driving while intoxicated. He subsequently refused a blood-alcohol content test at the police station.

In addition to the DWI charge, Dibuonaventura cited Moriarty for refusal to submit to blood-alcohol content testing and failure to maintain lane.

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Moriarty was released pending an Aug. 8 court appearance.

Moriarty alleged in his statement Tuesday night that he was arrested after disputing the police officer's claim that he had cut off him off. He also denied that he had consumed any alcoholic beverages prior to his arrest.

"I disputed his assertion which led him to order me from my car, submit me to a field sobriety test and issue a summons for DUI," the statement reads.

Moriarty called his arrest an "abuse of power," and vowed to fight the charge.

In the Washington Township Police Department press release issued at 1:20 p.m. Wednesday, Chief Rafael Muniz acknowledged the accusations Moriarty made in his statement, and indicated that "all complaints made will be fully investigated as required by the New Jersey Attorney General Guidelines."


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