HARDYSTON, NJ (Sussex County) – Two people were charged after an alleged illegal off-roading trip in Sussex County.
The Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Bureau of Law Enforcement received notification from the Hardyston Township Police Department on March 13 of a Jeep at the Sparta Mountain Wildlife Management Area that had become disabled, according to a release on Wednesday.
The officers responded and located the Jeep, approximately half mile into the woods on WMA property, DFW said.
A thorough investigation revealed that the operator had been off-roading with a friend when his steering failed. The operator left the Jeep and returned the next night with another friend when they were able to winch the Jeep out to a location closer to the road but were unable to recover the vehicle, DFW said.
This attempt also damaged several trees and created a significant amount of soil disruption. The owner finally resorted to hiring a towing company to use a mini excavator to complete the recovery – at a cost of $1000.00 to the Jeep’s owner, DFW said.
The owner and his friend received summonses for operating a motor vehicle in a prohibited area of a WMA, disturbing vegetation/soil on a WMA and entering a WMA after hours, DFW said.
The names of individuals weren’t released.
In court, the owner pled guilty and was assessed fines of $350, and because this is his second offense for operating a vehicle in a prohibited area and disturbing soil and vegetation, his hunting and fishing license privileges have been suspended for 5 years and he will need to complete the Division’s Remedial Hunter Education before his privileges can be restored, DFW said.
For more Northwest Jersey’s News, tune into 92.7FM, 104.7FM, 1510AM, wrnj.com or on the TuneIn app.
By: Jay Edwards
Follow on Twitter | Like on Facebook
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
(Photo Courtesy: NJDFW)
