Garwood Locals Arrested For Heroin, Cocaine, DWI In Cranford

CRANFORD, NJ — Garwood locals were among those arrested for driving while intoxicated and drug possession last week in Cranford, police report.

Cranford Police Blotter:

On April 3 at 11:05 p.m.: Patrol Units responded to the intersection of W. North Avenue and Eastman Street for a reported motor vehicle accident. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Lynn Galvez determined that the driver of a 2002 Ford, Nicole Palacios, 40, of Cranford was driving while intoxicated. Palacios was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated, processed, and released to a family member pending a Municipal Court appearance. Palacios was issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while intoxicated, possessing an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, and reckless driving.

On April 4 at 12:26 a.m.: Patrol Units responded to the intersection of Centennial Avenue and Elm Street for a report of a motor vehicle accident. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Michael O’Neil determined that a 2015 Volkswagen had struck a parked Cranford Police Department Patrol vehicle. The driver of the 2015 VW, Karin McCoy, 48, of Garwood was determined to be Driving While Intoxicated. McCoy was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated, processed, and released to a friend pending a Municipal Court appearance. McCoy was issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while intoxicated and careless driving.

On April 4 at 11:40 p.m.: A 2010 Honda was stopped at the intersection of E. South Avenue and Elise Street for an equipment violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Michael O’Neil located marijuana inside the vehicle. The driver, Jaquil Nelson, 23, of Woodbridge was arrested for Possession of Marijuana(under 50g); and Possession of Paraphernalia, processed, and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Nelson was also issued motor vehicle summonses for failure to maintain lamps and possessing a controlled dangerous substance inside a motor vehicle.

On April 5 at 2:08 a.m.: A 1994 Honda was stopped at the intersection of Centennial Avenue and Raritan Road for an equipment violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Daniel Donnerstag determined that the driver, Matthew Coleman, 35, of Rahway was driving while intoxicated. Coleman was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated, processed, and released to a friend pending a Municipal Court appearance. Coleman was issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while intoxicated, refusal to submit to breath testing, driving while suspended, failure to exhibit documents, failure to maintain lamps, and misuse of high beams.

On April 7 at 11:38 a.m.: A 2010 Lexus was stopped at the intersection of Centennial Avenue and Garden State Parkway Southbound Ramp for numerous equipment violations. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Michael Dubitsky located heroin inside the vehicle. The driver, John Puglisi, 39, of Edisonwas arrested, processed, and released pending a Superior Court Appearance. Puglisi was issued motor vehicle summonses for failing to exhibit documents, unclear plates, failing to maintain lamps, and possessing a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.

On April 7 at 2:26 p.m.: A 2002 Saturn was stopped at the intersection of E. North Avenue and Carpenter Place for an equipment violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Joesph Sherbo located marijuana inside the vehicle. A passenger, Evan Johns, 21, of Scotch Plains was arrested for Possession of Marijuana(under 50g); and Possession of Paraphernalia, processed, and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Johns was issued a motor vehicle summons for failing to wear a safety belt. The driver was issued a motor vehicle summons for having unclear plates.

On April 7 at 7:18 p.m.: A 2002 Honda was stopped at the intersection of Wall Street and Centennial Avenue for an inspection violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Gregory Federici located marijuana on both the driver, Sebastian Carvalho, 19, of Cranford and the passenger, Alan Steele, 19, of Cranford. Carvalho and Steele were arrested for Possession of Marijuana(under 50g); and Possession of Paraphernalia, processed, and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Carvalho was charged with possession of marijuana (under 50g), and issued motor vehicle summonses for failure to inspect, possessing a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, and failure to signal. Steele was charged with possession of marijuana (under 50g), and possession of paraphernalia.

On April 7 at 2:01 a.m.: A 2017 Cadillac was stopped at the intersection of E. South Avenue and Centennial Avenue for a cell phone and moving violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Jason D’Agostino located marijuana inside the vehicle. The driver, Gian Melito, 28, of Brooklyn, New York and a passenger, Dylan Callen, 25, of Somerville, MA were arrested for Possession of Marijuana(under 50g); Possession of Paraphernalia; and Contempt of Court, processed, and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Melito was also issued motor vehicle summonses for failure to signal, operating a motor vehicle while utilizing a cell phone, and possessing a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle. Additionally, Melito posted bail on an active warrant out of Atlantic County Municipal Court.

On April 9 at 4:10 p.m.: A 1994 Mercury was stopped at the intersection of High Street and E. South Avenue for a seatbelt violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Jospeh Sherbo located cocaine and heroin inside the vehicle. The driver, Joseph Castro, 24, of Garwood was arrested for Possession a Controlled Dangerous Substance(Heroin and Cocaine);Possession of Paraphernalia; and Contempt of Court, processed, given a Superior Court appearance, and turned over to Union PD on an active warrant. Castro was issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while suspended, possessing a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, failure to wear seatbelt, and unclear plates.

(Image via Shutterstock)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.