Cranford Local Among 9 Arrested For Drugs

CRANFORD, NJ — A Cranford man was among nine people arrested recently for drug possession, according to the police blotter.

On April 7 at 12:58 p.m., a 2010 Subaru was stopped on North Avenue West near Orchard Street for careless driving.

Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Christopher Gross arrested the driver and passenger of the vehicle, Michael Cassidy, 19, of Cranford and Brian Parada, 19, of Elizabeth respectively, for suspected marijuana and paraphernalia located inside the vehicle, Cranford Police reported.

Additionally, Cassidy was also charged with suspected THC edibles found inside the vehicle, police report.

They were both processed and released pending court appearance dates.

The driver was also issued motor vehicle summonses for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, improper passing and careless driving.

Other Cranford Police Blotter items:

On April 2 at 11:07 p.m.: A 2002 Jeep was stopped on Lincoln Avenue West near the intersection of Benjamin Street for a brake light out. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Jason D’Agostino arrested a passenger, Andy Rozelien, 26, of Linden for suspected marijuana located inside the vehicle. He was charged with possession of under 50 grams (marijuana) and possession of paraphernalia, processed and released pending a municipal court appearance date. Additionally, the driver was issued motor vehicle summonses for maintenance of lamps and for being unlicensed.

On April 5 at 5:21 p.m.: A 2002 Ford was stopped at the intersection of Centennial Avenue and Raritan Road for an improper lane change. Following an investigation at the scene, Detective Michael Dubitsky arrested the driver, Christopher Anderson, 44, of Rahway for driving while intoxicated. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, processed and released to a responsible adult with a pending municipal court appearance date. Additionally, he was issued summonses for open container, improper lane change and obstructing traffic.

On April 5 at 3:02 p.m.: A 2007 Dodge was stopped at the intersection of Raritan Road and Centennial Avenue for tinted windows. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Timothy Handy arrested the driver, Elijah Sealey, 20, of Newark for suspected marijuana located inside the vehicle. He was charged with possession of under 50 grams (marijuana) and possession of paraphernalia, processed and released pending a municipal court appearance date. Additionally, he was issued motor vehicle summonses for possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle and tinted windows.

On April 6 at 9:45 p.m.: A 2016 Dodge was stopped on Jackson Drive near Moen Avenue for a seat belt violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Michael O’Neil arrested a passenger, Timothy Palmer, 25, of Carteret for suspected crack-cocaine and a hypodermic syringe located inside the vehicle. He was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a hypodermic syringe, possession of paraphernalia, processed and released pending a superior court appearance date. Additionally, he was a issued motor vehicle summons for a seat belt violation.

On April 7 at 1:27 a.m.: A 2011 Mazda was stopped at the intersection of Walnut Avenue and Lexington Avenue for careless driving. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Michael O’Neil arrested the driver, Oleksandr Vorobkalo, 29, of Scotch Plains for driving while intoxicated. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, processed and released to a responsible adult with a pending municipal court appearance date. Additionally, he was issued summonses for refusal to submit to breath samples, careless driving and an improper lane change.

On April 7 at 6:26 p.m.: A 1999 Ford was stopped at the intersection of Myrtle Street and Rod Smith Place for a brake lamp out. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Daniel Donnerstag arrested the driver, Preston Hammond, 47, of Roselle for suspected crack-cocaine found inside the vehicle. He was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of paraphernalia, processed and provided with a superior court appearance date. Additionally, he was issued motor vehicle summonses for suspended driver and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle. Further investigation revealed Hammond had an active arrest warrant out of Roselle.

On April 9 at 1:31 p.m.: A 2008 Kia was stopped on North Avenue East near the intersection of the Garden State Parkway Exchange for a seat belt violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Robert Jordan arrested both occupants, Steven Burke, 26, of Clark and Jaleel Whiting, 26, of Roselle for suspected marijuana located inside the vehicle. Both were charged with possession of under 50 grams (marijuana) and possession of paraphernalia, processed and provided with municipal court appearance dates. Additionally, motor vehicle summonses were issued to the driver, Whiting, for driving with a suspended license and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle. Burke was issued motor vehicle summonses for a seat belt violation and allowing an unlicensed person to drive a motor vehicle.

On April 9 at 8:13 p.m.: A 2006 Acura was stopped on South Avenue East near the intersection of Burchfield Avenue for tinted windows and a brake light out. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Timothy Handy arrested the driver, Angel Torres, 21, of Elizabeth for suspected marijuana located inside the vehicle. He was charged with charged with possession of under 50 grams (marijuana) and possession of paraphernalia, processed and released pending a municipal court appearance date. Additionally, the driver was issued motor vehicle summonses for maintenance of lamps, tinted windows and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.

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