Route 24 Traffic Stop Leads To Heroin Charges: Police

BEL AIR, MD — Two Harford County men were charged with possession of heroin following a recent traffic stop on Route 24, police reported. The stop occurred after the driver passed a Maryland Natural Resources Police patrol vehicle on the shoulder of the road in an attempt to get by traffic, according to officials.

Joseph Francis Vanderwiele, 29, of the 3200 block of Eastbend Court in Abingdon, pulled over when an officer tried to stop him but then continued on for approximately 1 mile before complying, police said. He was driving a vehicle with temporary Delaware tags that was not registered, according to officials.

Vanderwiele was charged with heroin possession and paraphernalia as a result of the Oct. 25 stop, in addition to reckless and negligent driving, attempting to elude a police officer, driving off the road to pass a vehicle, failing to stop at a red light and operating an unregistered vehicle.

His passenger — Kevin Tyler Brooks, 24, of the 300 block of Sandown Park Court in Bel Air —was charged with possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia after Harford County sheriff's deputies searched the vehicle with the officer during the evening traffic stop, police reported.

Brooks allegedly had a "container of heroin on him," Natural Resources Police said.

Vanderwiele was released on Oct. 26 on $2,500 bail. Brooks was released on his own recognizance that day as well, court records show.

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