Cops Find $31K, 15 Cell Phones During Rt. 287 Traffic Stop: Police

MAHWAH, NJ — Two men were arrested following a motor vehicle stop on Route 287 Tuesday where police seized $31,000 in cash and 15 cell phones, police said.

Officer Tyler Boucher stopped a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu for following too closely on Route 287 near mile marker 66, Chief James Batelli said.

Boucker spoke with the driver, Curt Peterkin, 33, of Derby, Connecticut and passenger Dwayne Walker, 39, of Bronx, New York. While speaking with them, one of the men admitted to having a small amount of marijuana in the truck and police searched the vehicle, Batelli said.

Two shopping bags containing bundles of cash, which was packaged "in such a manner that is consistent with criminal activity," specifically narcotics sales, were found, Batelli said.

Police also found more than 15 cell phones, two more bags of money, drug paraphernalia, a small amount of marijuana, several credit cards and gift cards and various forms of identification, none of which were the occupants', the chief said.

Peterkin and Walker were taken back to Mahwah Police Headquarters, the Chevrolet impounded and the $31,000 was seized as evidence, Batelli said.

Walker was charged with transporting property/money believes to be derived from criminal activity, possession of a stolen credit card, possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia, Batelli said.

Batelli said several law enforcement agencies are involved in the investigation based on the items found in the vehicle.

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Photo: Dwayne Walker, 39, of Bronx, New York, left, and Curt Peterkin, 33, of Derby, Connecticut/Background image via Shutterstock