Cops: Morris County Man Had Heroin, Xanax When He Crashed Stolen Car

Butler resident accused of stealing multiple cars from different towns, police report.

A Butler Township man who crashed the car he was driving in Totowa Wednesday afternoon has been arrested for driving while intoxicated and having drugs, and accused of stealing multiple vehicles, New Jersey State Police Sgt. Jeff Flynn said.

Police responded to mile-marker 56.1 on Route 80 in Totawa at 2:12 p.m. Wednesday and found Ivan Lukic, 37, had crashed a 2016 Volkswagen, Flynn said.

Troopers arrived and arrested Lukic for driving while intoxicated, and found him to be in possession of heroin before placing him in the patrol car, Flynn said.

An investigation revealed the vehicle was stolen out of Paterson on Feb. 10, Flynn said. A search of the vehicle turned up burglary tools, stolen property, heroin, and Xanax, Flynn said.

The investigation also linked Lukic to additional car burglaries in Bloomingdale and Butler Townships.

The investigation is ongoing, Flynn said, and anyone in the Passaic County area who who is a victim of a recent car burglary is asked to contact Det. Nick Lynn at 973-785-9419.

Lukic was charged with receiving stolen property, possession of burglar’s tools, possession of heroin, possession of prescription legend drugs, criminal use of controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of hypodermic needles.

Lukic was lodged in the Passaic County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash bail with no 10-percent option.

Pictured: Ivan Lukic. Photo Courtesy New Jersey State Police

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