Motorist Accused of Snapping Pole, Lying to Cops

A Sparta man’s car crash Saturday night started a domino effect that led Hopatcong police on a weekend-long search for the man, according to Lt. Thomas Kmetz.

Robert Pauli, 27, was driving home from The Barn in Randolph Saturday night and crashed into a telephone pole on Sparta Road, snapping it in three places, Kmetz said. As a result, the vehicle Pauli was driving rolled onto its side, Kmetz said.

Pauli then called a female friend to come pick him up, according to Kmetz’s report. When the friend arrived, she did not see one of the pole pieces in the roadway, and crashed into it, Kmetz said.

Upon patrol’s arrival, they found the female standing outside her vehicle with the airbag deployed and horn blaring, Kmetz said. Officers used bolt cutters to disconnect the battery cables.

During a search of the area with the Sussex County K9 Unit, authorities were unable to find Pauli, who left the scene, Kmetz said.

Police called the home of the vehicle’s registered owner, who told authorities Pauli was using the car that night, Kmetz said.

The following morning a member of Pauli’s family called Byram police and said they received a text message from Pauli, who explained his vehicle had been stolen the night before while he was at The Barn, Kmetz said.

As the day wore on, a member of Pauli’s family called Sparta police to report that he was at home, Kmetz said. Pauli was then picked up by Byram police and taken to Hopatcong Police Headquarters.

Pauli was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report an accident, reckless driving and driving while suspended.

Police also found the Sparta man to have warrants in Roxbury Township for $500; Rockaway Township for $1,500; Montclair for $2,500; and Manasquan Borough for $750.

For questions about this post, email jason.koestenblatt@patch.com.