Crime & Safety

Man Calls Montgomery Police For Help, Ends Up Arrested

The man, who locked himself out of a car and called police for help, was arrested after drugs and alcohol were found inside: Police

MONTGOMERY, NJ — A man who locked himself out of a car and called police for help, was arrested after drugs and alcohol were found inside, Montgomery Police report.

On Oct. 25 at 5:26 p.m., Montgomery Police responded to the Shoprite parking lot at the request of a motorist who locked keys inside a vehicle.

Police made contact with Jeffrey Watkins, 19, of Newark who reported locking the keys to his girlfriend’s vehicle inside the car and requested officers to assist him in opening the vehicle.

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After getting permission from the vehicle's owner to try to open the vehicle, police were able to open it using a lock out kit. After the vehicle was open police immediately detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, police report.

Police searched the vehicle and recovered marijuana, drug paraphernalia (grinder) and multiple bottles of alcohol, police report.

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Watkins admitted to possessing all of the items and was placed under arrest. He was transported to Montgomery Township Police Department for processing and charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of alcohol under legal age.

He was released and is scheduled appear in Montgomery Township Municipal Court.

Other Montgomery Police Blotter items:

On Nov. 5 at 1:57 a.m.: Police stopped Beatriz Cifuentes, 56, of Raritan after observing her failing to maintain her lane of travel on Route 206. During the stop Cifuentes exhibited signs of intoxication and admitted to consuming alcohol prior to driving. Police subjected Cifuentes to field sobriety tests and she was subsequently arrested and transported to Montgomery Police Department for processing. Her vehicle was towed from the scene. At headquarters Cifuentes was charged with driving while intoxicated, failure to maintain lane, failure to keep right, reckless driving, failure to wear a seatbelt, driving while suspended and unlicensed driver. She was released to a family member and is scheduled to appear in Montgomery Municipal Court.

On Nov. 3 at 10:07 p.m.: Montgomery Police stopped Johnel Zeller, 27, of Bedminster on Route 533 (River Rd) for speeding and having no front plate on his vehicle. During the stop police detected the odor of raw marijuana coming from the interior of the vehicle. A search of the interior of the vehicle yielded a grinder containing marijuana and a marijuana glass smoking pipe. Zeller was placed under arrest and transported to Montgomery Police Department for processing. Zeller was charged with drug paraphernalia and motor vehicle summons for speeding and having no front plate. He was released and is scheduled appear in Montgomery Township Municipal Court.

On Nov. 2 at 12:44 p.m.: Officers from the Montgomery Township Police Department were dispatched to US Hwy 206 near the Montgomery Shopping Center for an unconscious driver. During the investigation, it was discovered that Timothy McCollough, 44, of Ewing was under the influence of an inhalant. He was charged with DWI, being under the influence of an inhalant, possession of drug paraphernalia and other motor vehicle violations. He was transported to Princeton Medical Center at Plainsboro for treatment prior to his release. McCollough is scheduled to appear in Montgomery Township Municipal Court.

On Oct. 25 at 6:59 p.m.: Montgomery Police responded to the area of Mystic Drive and Hartwick Court for the report of individuals smoking an unknown substance. Patrol made contact with two individuals and immediately detected the odor of marijuana. Upon further investigation, Abubacr M. Waseem, 19, of North Brunswick was arrested for possession of marijuana. He was transported to Montgomery Township Police Department where he was processed and charged with possession of marijuana. Waseem was released and is scheduled to appear in Montgomery Township Municipal Court.

On Oct. 25 at 11:48 a.m.: Police stopped a Ford Econoline van on Route 206 at Pike Run Road after observing a brake light not functioning and the front seat passenger did not have his seat belt fastened. The driver of the van was identified as Michael Gomez, 28, of North Haledon and the front seat passenger as Andre Santana, 27, of Newark. During the stop police detected the odor of marijuana coming from the interior of the van. Gomez was searched and a bag of marijuana was found on his person as well as a glass smoking pipe. Santana was searched and he was found to be in possession of two Ecstasy pills. A search of the van yielded an additional bag of marijuana and a glass smoking pipe. Both Gomez and Santana were placed under arrest and transported to Montgomery Police Department for processing. Gomez was charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia and motor vehicle summons for maintenance of lamps and possession of controlled dangerous substance (CDS) in a motor vehicle. Santana was charged with possession of prescription legend drugs, possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was additionally charged with failure to wear a seat belt. Both subjects were released and both are scheduled to appear in Montgomery Township Municipal Court.

On Oct. 23 at 2:13 a.m.: Montgomery Police responded to a motor vehicle crash on County Rt. 518 near the Princeton Elks. Phillipa A. Sessa, 55, of Plainsboro was operating a 2017 Volvo eastbound on Rt. 518 when the vehicle left the roadway and impacted a utility pole. During the crash investigation it was determined that Sessa had consumed alcoholic beverages prior to driving. Sessa was administered field sobriety tests and was subsequently arrested for driving while intoxicated. Sessa’s vehicle was impounded and she was transported to headquarters for processing. Sessa was issued motor vehicle summons for DWI, reckless driving, careless driving and failure to maintain a lane. Sessa is scheduled to appear in Montgomery Township Municipal Court.

On Oct. 19 at 1:09 a.m.: Montgomery Police patrols found a suspicious vehicle in the rear of the Harlingen Village Shopping Center. Officers made contact with Peter H. Wendel, 51, of Washington D.C. who advised that he was in the area visiting family. While speaking with Wendel, officers detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from him and after conducting a series of tests Wendel was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. In addition to his arrest for DWI, Wendel was also found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana and a pipe. Wendel’s vehicle was impounded and after being served with two criminal charges and three motor vehicle summonses he was released to a family friend. He is scheduled to appear in Montgomery Township Municipal Court.

On Oct. 12 at 6:55 a.m.: Randy E. Alonzo-Elias, 28, of Somerville was arrested for an active warrant of $250 out of Plainfield. Alonzo-Elias was operating a 2007 Acura on Rt. 206 when police observed him stopped along the shoulder. Alonzo-Elias was processed at Montgomery headquarters where he posted bail and was released.

(Image via Patch File Photo)

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