11 Heroin, Marijuana Arrests: Cranford Blotter

Cranford, NJ -- Cranford Police report making 11 drug arrests relating to heroin and marijuana last week, according to the blotter.

• Feb. 17 at 8:22 p.m.

A 2006 Honda was stopped on Myrtle Street near Centennial Avenue for erratic driving. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Gregory Federici located suspected heroin on the driver Corey Spears, 37 of Irvington.

Additionally, the passenger Lashon Matthews, age 37 of Irvington was found to be in possession of more than 40 wax paper folds of suspected heroin, 24 vials of suspected crack cocaine, more than 10 bags of suspected marijuana, and packaging materials.

Both were placed under arrest, transported to headquarters for processing, and released pending appearances in Superior Court.

Matthews was charged with Possession of Heroin w/ Intent to Distribute; Possession of Cocaine w/ Intent to Distribute; Possession of Marijuana w/ Intent to Distribute; Possession of CDS w/ Intent to Distribute in a School Zone; Possession of Heroin; Possession of Cocaine; Possession of Marijuana (less than 50g); Possession of Paraphernalia Charges.

Spears was charged with Possession of Heroin; Possession of Paraphernalia Remarks. Spears was also cited for failure to maintain a traffic lane, delaying traffic, and open alcohol container in vehicle.

• Feb. 18 at 11:20 p.m.

A 2004 Toyota was stopped on Raritan Road for a red traffic light violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Gregory Federici located suspected marijuana on the driver Anthony Pettigrew, 31 of East Orange.

He was arrested, processed and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Pettigrew was charged with Possession of Marijuana (less than 50 g) and also cited for failure to observe a traffic signal.

• Feb. 19 at 12:57 p.m.

Police were notified of a suspicious white van parked in the driveway of an unoccupied residence. While investigating, Ptl. Robert Jordan located suspected marijuana in the possession of the front seat passenger Richard Gonzalez, 23, of Newark.

He was arrested, processed and released pending an appearance in Municipal Court. Gonzalez was charged with Possession of Marijuana (less than 50g); Possession of Paraphernalia.

• Feb. 19 at 6:49 p.m.

A 2008 Kia was stopped for erratic driving and a cracked taillight. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Daniel Donnerstag located suspected heroin and paraphernalia. Both driver Karen Bottone, 30 of Edison and passenger Julio Aponte, 42, of Edison were arrested, processed and released pending appearances in Superior Court.

Both Bottone and Aponte were charged with Possession of Heroin. Bottone was also cited for careless driving and maintenance of lamps. Aponte was processed and posted bail on an outstanding traffic warrant from East Brunswick NJ.

• Feb. 21 at 11:30 a.m.

A 1997 Honda was stopped on E. North Ave. for a window tint violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Sean Holcomb located suspected marijuana inside the vehicle. All three occupants (juvenile driver and rear passenger, Elix DeJesus, 18, of Elizabeth front passenger) were arrested and processed.

All were charged with Possession of Marijuana (less than 50g); Possession of Paraphernalia.

DeJesus was released pending a Municipal Court appearance. The juveniles were released to parents pending Family Court proceedings.

• Feb. 21 at 4:33 p.m.

A 2007 Audi was stopped after Ptl. Matthew Siessel observed a possible narcotics transaction involving the vehicle occupants. Following an investigation at the scene at Raritan Road and Coleman Avenue, Ptl. Siessel located suspected loose marijuana, suspected marijuana cigarettes, and various narcotics paraphernalia.

The driver of the vehicle, Johnny Rosado, 28, of Newark was placed under arrest, processed at headquarters, and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

Rosado was charged with Possession of Marijuana (less than 50g); Possession of Paraphernalia.

• Feb. 23 at 8:56 p.m.

A 2008 Chevrolet was stopped for a passenger seatbelt violation on Raritan Road. Following an investigation at the scene, suspected marijuana was located in the possession of the front seat passenger Lyonel Finklea, 19, of Newark.

He was arrested, processed and released pending an appearance in Municipal Court.

Finklea was charged with Possession of Marijuana (less than 50g); Possession of Paraphernalia. Finklea was also cited for failure to wear a seatbelt. The driver, a 24 year old female from Irvington, was not cited and was released from the scene.