A Worcester Township man has been charged with his fourth DUI in the last decade following a traffic stop earlier this month in Towamencin Township.
Stephen Vanherwaarden, 54, has been charged with felony DUI, driving on a suspended license and related offenses, in connection with the Aug. 3 traffic stop. He’s currently free on $10,000 unsecured bail.
According to the criminal complaint, Towamencin Township Police observed a vehicle exiting the parking lot near the Holiday Inn and Royal Farms on Sumneytown Pike toward Franklin St. at 11:35 p.m. Police said the vehicle was driving erratically and had no rear lights, leading to a traffic stop at the end of a cul-de-sac on Sunset Way.
While speaking to Vanherwaarden, police said his movements were lethargic, his speech was slow and slurred, and the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanated from him as he spoke. There was also a case of Budweiser beer on the passenger floor on top of some tools, according to the criminal complaint.
Vanherwaarden reportedly told police that his license was suspended and when asked how much he had to drink, he reportedly declined to answer. Upon exiting the vehicle, Vanherwaarden was allegedly unsteady on his feet, drifted from side to side as he walked, and needed to use the vehicle for support, according to the criminal complaint. He then failed a series of field sobriety tests, police said, resulting in Vanherwaarden being taken into custody.
Once in custody, Vanherwaarden reportedly told police that he may be slightly “buzzed” but then added he had a high alcohol tolerance, according to charging documents. He then declined a portable breath test and blood testing, stating "I don't think I'm drunk. I probably a little more buzzed on weed. You know, I smoked a little weed earlier,” police said.
When refusing to consent to testing, Vanherwaarden signed his name as “George Washington” and added "I'm not going to tie my own f-----g noose around my neck," the report states. Investigators later learned that Vanherwaarden had two prior DUI convictions, along with a third DUI arrest that is currently active from an incident in Marlborough Township from November 2021.
Vanherwaarden was arraigned on Aug. 4 at 2:30 p.m. by Magisterial District Judge Edward Levine, who set bail at $10,000 unsecured. His next court appearance is a preliminary hearing Sept. 14 at 9:45 a.m. in front of Judge Levine.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause. This story was updated to reflect the child's current custody status.
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