Holmdel Car Stop Yields Burglary Suspect, Cocaine

HOLMDEL, NJ - A car lost and looking for directions in Holmdel Tuesday ended up containing a man inside wanted for first-degree burglary, as well as an open container of alcohol, marijuana and cocaine, police said.

A Holmdel police patrolman noticed the car pulled over on the side of Crawfords Corner Road Tuesday. He stopped to see if the vehicle was disabled or needed any assistance. The driver, a man, told the officer he was lost and looking for directions.

But Patrolman Matthew Menosky said he smelled booze and marijuana coming from inside the car. He searched the vehicle and found a fake license for the driver, a plastic baggie of marijuana and an open can of Heineken beer. As the driver, Henry Benavente, was arrested, the officer said he also found a small bag of suspected cocaine in his front pants pocket. Police ran the name of the passenger, Dennis Dube, and it was learned that he was wanted in Maryland for first-degree burglary, theft and destruction of property.

Both men were taken to the Monmouth County jail Tuesday.