OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY

(13/P108) TRENTON – Conservation officers with the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Division of Fish and Wildlife have charged two New Jersey men with destruction of agricultural property and other motor vehicle offenses after they illegally off-roaded their pickup truck through soybean fields in a state wildlife management area.

Rudolf Licwinko, 25, of Manahawkin and Patrick J. Dolan, 20, of Closter, were arrested by state conservation officers earlier this month after destroying soybean fields while operating a pickup truck in the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area in Upper Freehold Township. An estimated five acres of soybean crop was destroyed.

“The Division of Fish and Wildlife has a zero tolerance policy regarding individuals who operate vehicles off the established roadways of state wildlife management areas,” said Mark Chicketano, Acting Chief of DEP’s Bureau of Law Enforcement. “In this case, a farmer suffered an economic loss of his crops and compaction of soil on prime farming grounds. In most cases, these vehicles destroy habitat for wildlife.”

Both Dolan and Licwinko were charged with a third-degree count of destruction of agricultural property, careless driving and operating a vehicle off the established roadway of a state wildlife management area. Licwinko was also charged with driving with a revoked license. In addition to the charges, the DEP also will seek restitution for the farmer’s lost crop and land damage. The farmer leases the land from the state.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife asks anyone who sees illegal off-roading activity on state parklands and wildlife areas to contact the DEP hotline at 877-WARNDEP (877-927-6337).

For more on DEP’s Bureau of Law Enforcement, visit: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/lawhome.htm