Belleville Cops Make 3 Xanax-Related Arrests In One Day

Belleville police officers responded to three Xanax-related incidents on Oct. 24, making an arrest each time.

According to police, the first arrest took place around 1:30 a.m., when officers responded to a report of a fight in progress at a Union Avenue establishment.

On arrival, a bouncer told officers that two arguing females had been escorted from the establishment earlier.

According to police, at this time, one of the women – Gabriela Pacheco, 25, of Bloomfield - returned and attempted to reenter the establishment. After police allegedly told her multiple times that she was not wanted inside, Pacheco reportedly became “aggressive towards officers” and started yelling and cursing at them while attempting to push her way into the building.

Police reported that after multiple warnings, officers arrested Pacheco and transported her to headquarters. After a search, officers allegedly found seven pills of Alprazolam – the generic equivalent of Xanax – which had not been prescribed to her.

She was charged with disorderly conduct and possession of prescription legend drugs.

According to police, the second arrest took place around 7:30 p.m., when officers allegedly observed a motor vehicle traveling north on Washington Avenue near Joralemon Street, crossing yellow lines and driving into traffic on the opposite side of the road.

After officers stopped the driver – Bernie Felder, 54, of Orange – Felder allegedly told them that he was tired and had recently taken Xanax.

The officers reportedly noticed that Felder was “having trouble standing and slurring words,” according to police.

Police took Felder into custody and charged him with DWI. After searching his car, officers reportedly found several clear bags with 69 pills of Oxycodone. He was subsequently charged with possession of a CDS, possession of a CDS with intent to distribute, possession of a CDS in a school zone, and having a revoked driver’s license.

The third arrest happened shortly before midnight at a Franklin Street business, when officers responded to a report of a man allegedly “walking in and out of the establishment and harassing employees.”

On arrival, the officers noted that the man – Daniel Coley, 21, of Irvington – was “slurring his speech and had glassy eyes,” police stated.

Police took Coley into custody for being under the influence of a CDS, and found three Xanax pills on him during a search. He was charged with possession of a CDS, and also held on two warrants out of Cranford for $1,500.

File photo via Wikimedia