Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Arrests In Vernon

VERNON, CT — A Valentine's Day traffic stop led to drug charges against two faces familiar to the Vernon Police Department, according to arrest reports.

At 5:47 p.m. on Feb. 14, officers on patrol noticed a tan sedan turn right onto East Main St. without using a signal, according to arrest reports.

Inside the vehicle was a pair of residents with what police described as having "extensive histories in regard to drug-related offenses, namely 53-year-old Paula Rivard (the passenger) and 59-year-old Patrick Thomas Neff (the driver), according to arrest reports.

A search of the car and both Neff and Rivard uncovered both Xanax pills and "associated paraphernalia" and they were taken into custody, according to arrest reports.

Rivard was charged with third-offense possession of a controlled substance and the use of drug paraphernalia and Neff was charged with second-offense possession of as controlled substance and making an improper turn, according to an arrest report.

Both posted $10,000 bonds and are slated to appear in Rockville Superior Court on Feb, 24, according to arrest reports.