Belle Mead Local Among 3 Arrested For Marijuana Possession

BEDMINSTER, NJ — A Belle Mead and Princeton locals were among three arrested for marijuana possession in Bedminster recently.

On May 28 at 2:20 a.m., while on patrol of Route 206 in the area of the Bedminster Shell gas station, Bedminster Police observed a gray Toyota Scion traveling southbound in the left lane of travel with an inoperable rear license plate light. The vehicle was also failing to keep right and not passing any other vehicles, police report.

A motor vehicle stop was conducted on Route 202/206 southbound just prior to the I-287entrance ramp. Subsequent to the investigation, the passenger, Dmitriy Ruckodanov, 22 of Princeton and the driver, Shiva Murali, 21, of Belle Mead were arrested for possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia, police report.

Murali was also issued motor vehicle summonses for operation of a motor vehicle while in possession of controlled dangerous substance(CDS), failure to keep right, and maintenance of lamps.

Other Bedminster Police Blotter items:

On May 28 at 10:20 a.m.: Bedminster Police responded to Eton Court for a report of a stolen vehicle. The homeowner advised he was away from home from May 24 and upon return his 2014 white Jeep Grand Cherokee was missing from the driveway. The vehicle was located on June 1 by Newark Police.

On May 31 at 4:29 p.m.: Bedminster Police observed a gold Ford F150 traveling eastbound on I-78 with
an obstructed front windshield because of multiple necklaces and air fresheners hanging from the rear
view mirror. A motor vehicle stop was conducted on I-78 eastbound in the area of mile marker 29.6.
Subsequent to the investigation, the passenger, Roberto Santos, 62, of Elizabeth was arrested for three
warrants out of Linden for $1,613, Newark for $750, and Milburn for $200. Santos was unable to post and was released on his own recognizance. The driver, Horacio Maldonado, 47, of Newark was issued motor vehicle summonses for driving after driver’s license suspended/revoked, driving without a license and obstruction of windshield for vision.

On June 1 at 6:04 p.m.: Bedminster Police responded to Cortland Lane for a report of a motor vehicle fire in the parking lot. Upon arrival the officer observed heavy smoke and flames coming from the hood of a 2004
Nissan Maxima. The officer attempted to put out the fire with an extinguisher but could not due to the hood being closed. Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire.

On June 4 at 8:52 p.m.: While on patrol of Route 206, Bedminster Police observed a grey Jeep Wrangler traveling southbound on Route 206 with obstructed front windows from tint as well as several air fresheners hanging from the rear view mirror. A motor vehicle stop was conducted in the area of Route 202/206 southbound and the Knox House. Subsequent to the investigation, Samuel Ogoe, 26, of Missouri City, Texas was arrested for possession of marijuana under 50 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia and issued motor vehicle summonses for driving unregistered motor vehicle, obstruction of windshield for vision, operation of a motor vehicle while in possession of controlled dangerous substance(CDS), failure to possess driver’s license or registration, and improper display/unclear plates.

On June 6 at 3:09 a.m.: Bedminster Police responded to the area of Burnt Mills Road and Airport Road for a report of a disabled green Hyundai Velostar. Subsequent to the investigation, the passenger, Larry Barcus, 32, of Bunn Road in Bedminster was arrested on a criminal warrant out of Hillsborough, for $740.
Barcus posted bail and was processed and released.

On June 9 at 10:43 p.m.: Bedminster Police initiated a motor vehicle stop on a blue Buick Lucerne on Route 206 in the vicinity of Somerset Financial Drive. Prior to the stop, the officer observed the vehicle traveling northbound on Route 202/206 from Route 287 northbound. The vehicle failed to maintain a lane on
numerous occasions and was speeding in excess of 15-20mph over the posted speed limit of 50mph. Subsequent to the investigation, Andrew Benoit, 51 of Lamington Road in Bedminster was arrested for driving under the influence, and issued motor vehicle summonses for unsafe lane change, careless driving, reckless driving, and failure to notify change of address.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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