Intoxicated Driver Spits At Cranford Officers: Police

CRANFORD, NJ — Cranford Police made multiple arrests for driving while intoxicated, and possession of heroin and hypodermic needles last week.

Cranford Police Blotter:

On June 19 at 8:03 p.m.: A 2003 Nissan was stopped at the intersection of E. North Avenue and the Garden State Parkway exit 137 southbound ramp for an equipment violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Ryan Gerrity located 200 glassine envelopes of suspected heroin inside the vehicle. The driver, Patrick Geker, 22, of South Amboy and a passenger, Antonio Colon, 26, of Edison were arrested for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance (Heroin), possession of a controlled dangerous substance (Heroin) and possession of paraphernalia processed and issued complaint summonses to appear in Union County Superior Court. Colon was turned over to the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department on an active warrant. Geker was also issued motor vehicle summonses for failure to maintain lamps and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.

On June 21 at 1:42 a.m.: Patrol units responded to the South Side Train Station on a report of a suspicious motor vehicle. Upon arrival, Patrolman Jason D’Agostino observed a 2017 Nissan driving through the lot in an erratic manner. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman D’Agostino determined that the driver, Autumn Bermea, 25, of South Orange was driving while intoxicated. When Patrolman D’Agostino attempted to handcuff Bermea, she began to pull away from Officers and spitting in their direction. Bermea was eventually arrested for driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest and simple assault on a law enforcement officer, processed and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Bermea was also issued motor vehicle summonses for careless driving, unclear plates, obstruction of windshield and driving while intoxicated.

On June 22 at 12:53 p.m.: A 2009 Toyota was stopped at the intersection of E. North Avenue and the Garden State Parkway exit 137 northbound ramp for a signal violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Det. Spencer Durkin located hypodermic syringes and narcotics paraphernalia inside the vehicle. The driver, Jonathan Liebowitz, 28, of Spotswood was arrested for possession of paraphernalia and possession of a hypodermic syringe, processed and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Liebowitz was issued a motor vehicle summons for failure to utilize a turn signal.

On June 22 at 2:34 p.m.: A 1997 Ford was stopped at the intersection of E. Lincoln Avenue and Benjamin Street for a seatbelt violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Ali Muhammad determined that a passenger, Jeffrey Hofmeister, 45, of Roselle Park had an active warrant out of Pennsylvania. Hofmeister was arrested for fugitive from justice, processed and committed to the Union County Jail pending an extradition hearing. Hofmeister was also issued a motor vehicle summons for failure to wear a seatbelt.

On June 23 at 2:53 a.m.: Patrol units responded to Centennial Avenue and Cayuga Road for a report of an individual sleeping behind the wheel, while stopped at a traffic signal. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Daniel Donnerstag determined that the driver, Brandon Ferreira, 21, of Linden was driving while intoxicated. Ferreira was arrested for driving while intoxicated, processed and released to a friend pending a Municipal Court appearance. Ferreira was issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while intoxicated and delaying traffic.

On June 23 at 6:05 a.m.: A 2012 Acura was stopped at the intersection of E. North Avenue and Garden State Parkway northbound exit 137 for multiple moving violations. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Ali Muhammad determined that the driver, Noel Gonzalez, 23, of Paterson was driving while intoxicated. Gonzalez was arrested for driving while intoxicated, processed and released to a friend pending a Municipal Court appearance. Additionally, Gonzalez was issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while intoxicated, failure to exhibit documents, careless driving, possessing an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, failure to signal and failure to keep right.

(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.