Duct Tape On License Plate Leads To Arrests In Long Valley

LONG VALLEY, NJ— A little bit of duct tape got two people in a whole lot of trouble in Long Valley. After pulling over a car for a license plate that was altered with black tape, police arrested two: one for having stolen baby formula and one on an active warrant.

Patrol Officer Frank Giaquinto pulled a car over on Route 46 last Friday after noticing something off with the license plate. A closer look revealed that a piece of black tape had been stuck to the E, turning it into a B, police said in a statement.

Police said the driver of the car, Mariuca Johnson, 29, from Hackettstown, has drug paraphernalia and stolen merchandise in the car. Valued at $413, police said they found baby formula and brass pipes and connectors in the car.

The passenger, Michael Pelliccio, 30, of Jersey City, was found to have an active, no bail warrant issued out of Morris County, police said.

Both were arrested and talked to Washington Township Police Headquarters. Johnson was charged with receiving stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia, and issued motor vehicle complaints for unclear plates, speeding and failure to give proper signal. She was released with an upcoming court date.

Pelliccio was turned over to Morris County Prosecutor's Office and taken to the county jail.

Image via Morguefile