A Dead Car Battery, Multiple Fake Identities And A Pot Arrest In Darien

DARIEN, CT — A 21-year-old Bridgeport man, whose car had died on the side of the road in Darien, gave police multiple fake identities when asked who he was and was later found to be in possession of marijuana, according to authorities.

A car driven by Jaurean Reid, of Platt Street, was found stalled on the side of Brookside Road at about 3:45 p.m. on July 5, with Reid inside. The hazard lights were on, so officers stopped to check on the situation.

Reid told the officers that the vehicle's "battery light" came on and then the car "just died," but as they were speaking to Reid, officers could smell the odor of marijuana from within the car.

"The Officer asked for the name and date of birth of the operator," wrote Darien police in a statement. "The operator identified himself as 'Jesse Turner' and gave a date of birth of 9/21/92. A check of that information through DMV records showed no matching record. Officers again asked the operator his date of birth and age, this time the age he responded with did not match the given date of birth.

"At this point, The Officers confronted the operator and asked him to give his true identity. The operator gave his name as 'Rashad Smith,' and stated he had an ID from New York, not Connecticut. He told the Officers he was nervous and from NY, which is why he lied about his identity. A second check of NY DMV records again came up with no information with the given name. At this time, the operator was informed he was being detained until he could be positively identified.

"The Officer then asked the operator if there was anything illegal in the vehicle. The operator responded that there was a 'spliff' in the center console. While searching the vehicle for the marijuana, the Officer located a wallet with the name 'Jaurean Reid' on the information contained in it. When asked about that name, the operator stated that Jaurean Reid was his brother. When confronted a second time about his constantly changing identity, the operator admitted that his true name was Jaurean Reid. He told The Officers he had attempted to use his cousin’s name and date of birth, but didn’t think he go the information correct."

Police searched Reid's vehicle and found a scale and ashtray both with marijuana residue on them, a marijuana cigarette, and a zip-lock baggie with 2.5 grams of marijuana.

Reid was placed under arrest on the following charges:

• Criminal Impersonation
• Interfering with an Investigation/Officer
• Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License
• Possession of Less Than ½ Ounce of Marijuana

He was released after posting a $2,500 cash bond and is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on July 19.

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