3 Cranford Locals Among 7 Arrested For DWI, Drugs

CRANFORD, NJ — Three Cranford locals were among seven people to be arrested on drug possession and driving while intoxicated charges last week, police report.

On Feb. 2 at 1:43 p.m.: A 1997 GMC was stopped on South Union Avenue for failure to signal a turn. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Robert Jordan, located suspected cocaine on the driver, Catalin Larotonda, 30, of Cranford and suspected marijuana inside the vehicle. Larotonda was arrested for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of marijuana (under 50 grams) and possession of paraphernalia, processed and released pending a superior court appearance. Additionally, he was issued a motor vehicle summonses for failure to signal a turn, improper use of a horn and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.

On Feb. 3 at 12:14 a.m.: A 2001 Mercury was stopped on North Avenue East for erratic driving. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Daniel Donnerstag, arrested the driver, Joseph Sullivan, 59, of Cranford for driving while intoxicated. Sullivan was arrested for driving while intoxicated, processed and released pending a municipal court appearance. Additionally, he was issued a motor vehicle summonses for reckless driving, failure to have a valid driver’s license in possession and failure to have a valid registration card in possession.

On Feb. 5 at 9:18 p.m.: A 2003 Nissan was stopped on Centennial Avenue and Buchanan Street for a view obstruction and a seat belt violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Jason D’Agostino arrested a passenger, Kenneth Meier, 26, of Cranford for suspected heroin and crack-cocaine found inside the vehicle. Meier was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of paraphernalia. Additionally, the passenger was issued a motor vehicle summons for a seat belt violation. Meier was released pending a superior court appearance.

Other Cranford Police Blotter items:

On Jan. 31 at 9:41 a.m: A 1997 Toyota was stopped on North Avenue East for a seat belt violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Christopher Gross located suspected marijuana and paraphernalia inside the vehicle. Davon Blutcher, 26, of Woodbridge was arrested for possession of marijuana (under 50 grams) and possession of paraphernalia, processed and released pending a municipal court appearance date. He was issued a motor vehicle summonses for an unregistered vehicle, a seat belt violation and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.

On Feb. 1 at 2:12 p.m.: A 2001 Nissan was stopped at the intersection of Centennial Avenue and Hayes Street for a cracked windshield. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Gregory Federici arrested a passenger in the vehicle, Sander Herrera-Fermin, 20, of Rahway for suspected marijuana located inside the car. Herrera-Fermin was charged with possession of marijuana (under 50 grams) and possession of paraphernalia. Additionally, the driver was issued a motor vehicle summons for the cracked windshield. Herrera-Fermin was held on active warrants from Newark and Elizabeth municipal courts.

On Feb. 2 at 8:31 a.m.: A 2006 GMC was stopped on Raritan Road for failure to signal a lane change. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Gregory Federici arrested the driver, Shawn Taggart, 31, of Linden for suspected heroin found inside the vehicle. He was charged with distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance near school property; possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of paraphernalia. Additionally, he was issued motor vehicle summonses for failure to signal a lane change, an improper turn and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle. Taggart was released pending a Superior court appearance.

On Feb. 3 at 11:48 a.m.: A 2016 Ford was stopped on the Garden State Parkway 137 Exchange at North Avenue East for failure to signal a turn. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Ryan Gerrity, located suspected heroin and a hypodermic needle inside the vehicle. Edward Allen, 32, of Middletown a passenger in the vehicle, was arrested for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a hypodermic syringe and possession of paraphernalia, processed and released pending a superior court appearance. Additionally, the driver was issued a motor vehicle summons for failure to signal a turn.

On Feb. 3 at 8:27 p.m.: A 2012 Kia was stopped on the Centennial Avenue at Raritan Road for unclear license plates and a brake light out. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Daniel Donnerstag, located suspected heroin inside the vehicle. Elvin Soto, 31, of Linden a passenger in the vehicle, was arrested for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of paraphernalia and hindering apprehension, processed and released pending a superior court appearance. Additionally, the driver was issued a motor vehicle summons for maintenance of lamps.

On Feb. 5 at 11:19 p.m.: A 2005 Nissan was stopped on North Avenue East and Elizabeth Avenue for careless driving. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Shayne Temple, arrested the driver, Alquan Anderson, 23, of Plainfield for driving while intoxicated. Anderson was arrested, processed and released pending a municipal court appearance. Additionally, he was issued motor vehicle summonses for open container, careless driving, delaying traffic, an improper u-turn and improper use of multiple beam headlights.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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