5 Drug, 1 DUI Arrests Made In Montgomery

MONTGOMERY, NJ — Montgomery Police report making multiple arrests for marijuana possession and driving while intoxicated in the township.

Montgomery Police Blotter:

On April 18 at 4:41 p.m.: Anthony Merlo, 50, of North Brunswick was stopped on Route 206 at Center Drive after he was observed driving over curb to pass another vehicle at the intersection of Rt. 206 and Rt. 518. Merlo’s New Jersey driving privileges were found to be suspended and he had an active warrant for $750 for his arrest from North Brunswick Police Department. Merlo was placed under arrest and transported to Montgomery Township Police Department where he was processed. Merlo was able to post bail and was issued motor vehicle summons for careless driving and driving while suspended and subsequently released pending a future court date in Montgomery Township Municipal Court. The arrest was handled by Officer Tim Giaccone.

On April 20 at 7:13 a.m.: Marcella Banach, 42, of Levittown, Pennsylvania was stopped for a speeding violation on Burnt Hill Road. During the stop police detected the odor of marijuana coming from her vehicle and a search yielded multiple smoking pipes, a grinder, and a small bag of marijuana. Banach was found to have outstanding warrants from Wall Township and Hillsborough Township for her arrest. Banach was placed under arrest and transported to Montgomery Police Department for processing. She was able to post bail on both warrants. Banach was charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of controlled dangerous substance (CDS) in a motor vehicle and speeding. Banach was released pending a future court date in Montgomery Township Municipal Court. The arrest and investigation was conducted by Officer Tim Giaccone.

On April 21 at 10:42 p.m.: Rayanna Schnarr, 23, of Somerset was stopped on County Route 601 for a motor vehicle violation. Schnarr was found to be in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, and was arrested. She was processed at police headquarters, and released. She is scheduled to appear in Montgomery Township Municipal Court.

On April 20 at 7:30 p.m.: Montgomery Police responded to Township Line Road for a motor vehicle crash. During the crash investigation, officers detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on the breath of one of the drivers, Brittany Harris, 30, of Mount Laurel. Harris was put through field sobriety tests, and was arrested for DWI. She was processed at police headquarters, and later released. She is scheduled to appear in Montgomery Township Municipal Court.

On April 14 at approximately 10:40 p.m.: Sergeant Jason Larsen encountered a vehicle occupied by Panell Thornton, 20 of Skillman and Amere Blakey, 20, of Skillman. The vehicle was parked at a closed business on Research Road. During the course of the investigation, Larsen determined that Thornton and Blakey were smoking marijuana in the vehicle. Larsen along with officers arrested Thornton and Blakey and transported them to headquarters for processing. Thornton and Blakey were charged with possession of marijuana, use of a controlled dangerous substance and trespassing. They were released and are scheduled to appear in Montgomery Township Municipal Court.

On April 18 at approximately 11:26 p.m.: Officer Adam Verducci stopped a car driven by Ladonis Halley, 32, of Jersey City for a motor vehicle violation. During the course of the stop, Verducci determined that Halley was in possession of marijuana and had an active warrant for his arrest issued by Jersey City Municipal Court. Verducci arrested Halley and transported him to headquarters for processing. Jersey City Municipal Court authorized a new court date for Halley. Halley was charged with possession of marijuana, use of a controlled dangerous substance, failure to maintain lane, driving without a license, driving while suspended, failure to inspect, improper use of high beams and obstructed view. He was released and is scheduled to appear in Montgomery Township Municipal Court.

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