Police: Student, Friend Found With Ax, Fake Gun

An incoming Caldwell College freshman and a Saddle Brook man face multiple drug, alcohol and weapons charges after a motor vehicle stop on campus resulted in police allegedly uncovering an open container of alcohol, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, an ax, several knives and a fake gun as the student was moving in on Saturday.

According to Caldwell Detective/Sgt. Tony Marta, Nicholas Molinari, 20, of Saddle Brook, and Sarah Wallman, 19, of Teaneck, have been charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, seven counts of drug paraphernalia, possession of an open container of alcohol, possession of alcohol under the age of 21 and several counts of weapons possession.

Officer Williams Roberts conducted a motor vehicle stop after Molinari, who was driving Wallman's vehicle, allegedly failed to stop near Caldwell College's main entrance Saturday at about 3:20 p.m., Marta said.

After pulling the vehicle over on campus, Roberts detected a strong odor of marijuana and noticed two clear plastic baggies in plain view, Marta said. An open container of alcohol was also found, Marta said.

Molinari and Wallman, who was a passenger, were each arrested and the vehicle was towed, Marta said.

According to Marta, Wallman then consented to a search of the vehicle and police found a silver gravity knife, five other knives of various sizes, a large wooden ax and an Airsoft gun that was similar to a Glock 9mm pistol.

Molinari told police he used the ax for his work with tree cutting and the replica gun was for protection, Marta said.

Molinari, who had five outstanding motor vehicle summonses, was also charged with driving without a license, Marta said.

According to Marta, Wallman has been suspended from Caldwell College, pending the outcome of the case, which has been referred to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

Verona Resident Faces Drug Charges

A Verona resident was charged Sunday night with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia following a motor vehicle stop at the corner of Bloomfield Avenue and Washburn Place at about 10 p.m., Marta said.

According to Marta, Officer Paul Stabile conducted a motor vehicle stop and witnessed the passenger trying to conceal what appeared to be a grenade.

After further investigation, Stabile identified the item as a marijuana grinder and found Robyn Swankie, 21, of Verona, in possession of marijuana, Marta said.

Swankie was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, Marta said. The driver of the vehicle received a motor vehicle summons, Marta said.

Swankie is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 13.

Lane Avenue Resident Arrested for Criminal Mischief

Christina Farace, 23, of 4 Lane Ave., was arrested Friday and later confessed to vandalizing a neighbor's vehicle by allegedly burning the driver's side door handle and rear driver's side rim with a lighter and allegedly scratching the side of the vehicle, Marta said.

Marta said the incident, which occurred on Thursday, Aug. 12, stemmed from an alleged argument between Farace and the vehicle's owner several weeks prior.

Farace was charged with criminal mischief and is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 9.