Car Stop for Careless Driving leads to Warrant Arrest/Drug Possession Charges

[Chief M Richards]

On Thursday July 21, 2016 at 3:00 PM, Patrolman Joseph D'Annibale observed a vehicle being operated carelessly and then stopped the vehicle on Spring Street. A warrant check was conducted on the passenger, identified as Johnathan Figueroa age 21 of Newton.  Two active arrest warrants from the Peapack Municipal Court were located for Figueroa who was then placed under arrest.

A search incident to his arrest revealed that Figueroa was attempting to conceal a plastic container in his shorts which had 5 plastic baggies containing less than 50 grams of marijuana inside. He was taken to Police Headquarters, processed and charged on a summons complaint with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance N.J.S. 2C:35-10a(4) a Disorderly Persons Offense.

The Peapack & Gladstone Police Department responded to our police station and took custody of Figueroa on the warrants which had a total bail amount of $650.  

The driver of the vehicle, Rogel A. Garcia III, age 22 of Newton, was issued summonses for careless driving and probationary driver violations.

Assisting Ptl. Joe D’Annibale were Ptl. Russell Post, Ptl. Thomas Tosti, Ptl. John Flanagan, S/O Raul Couce and Det. Sergeant Dean Coppolella.