Several DUI arrests reported in Monroe

Pocono Mountain Regional police reported on several driving under the influence (DUI) arrests made by officers in recent days.

On Feb. 4 about 6:57 p.m. a traffic stop was made along SR196 at the MiniMart service station for a motor vehicle code violation. The driver, Shane Micciche, of Tobyhanna, was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance. He failed field sobriety tests and was transported to the Pocono Medical Center (PMC), East Stroudsburg, where he submitted to a blood test. The DUI charge is pending the test results.

On Saturday, Feb. 6, about 4:12 p.m. officers observed a vehicle traveling along SR115 at Redwood Drive, in Blakeslee, being driven erratically northbound. The driver at first failed to heed officers attempts to stop him but eventually did stop.

The driver was identified as Paul Ritsche, of Blakeslee. He was found to be under the influence and failed field sobriety tests. He was transported to the Fern Ridge state police barracks where he submitted to a breath test. The test revealed he was over the legal limit of .08 percent. Ritsche will be charged with DUI and various traffic violations, police said.

Also on Saturday Richard Cooke, 51, of Pocono Summit, drove to PMRP headquarters to be fingerprinted for a prior DUI arrest. Cooke was found to be under the influence and was taken for a blood test. The second DUI charge is pending the test results.

On Sunday, Feb. 7, about 3 a.m. a traffic stop was made along SR940 at the Mt. Pocono Plaza. The driver was identified as Daneen Susan Skladzien, 39, of Nanticoke. He was found to be under the influence and failed field sobriety tests. She was transported to the PMC for a blood test.

Police said a search was conducted of her purse and it revealed several different prescription bottles containing various prescription medications and drug paraphernalia. The DUI charge is pending the test results. She will also be cited for restrictions on alcoholic beverages, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Also on Sunday, about 8:49 p.m., officers observed a pickup truck stopped along SR611 at Veterans Drive in Tobyhanna, in the right hand southbound lane. The truck had its high beam head lamps on. The driver was identified as William B. Moss, 48, of Mt. Pocono. He was found to be under the influence and failed field sobriety tests. He was then taken to the PMC for a blood test. The DUI charge is pending the test results.

A third arrest occurred on Sunday, about 11:37 p.m., along SR940 west of Miller Drive. A traffic stop was made and the driver was identified as Peter Mendoza, 24, of Dunmore. Mendoza was found to be under the influence and failed field sobriety tests. He was then taken to the PMC for a blood test. The DUI charge is pending the test results.

Police said a passenger in the front seat with Mendoza was identified as Stacy Ems, 20, of Henryville. She had also been consuming alcohol under the age of 21. She was cited for underage drinking.