Women Who Panhandled At Walmart Facing Drug Charges

Two young women who police say have repeatedly been seen panhandling at the Walmart in Howell and other locations have been charged with drug possession after they were arrested Monday at the Walmart, Howell Police Chief Andrew Kudrick said.

Brooke Tehrani, 19, of Winding Woods Way, Manalapan, and Laura Maroney, 20, of Bellevue Lane, Matawan, have been charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia, he said, and both also were issued township ordinance violations for soliciting without a permit.

The pair were arrested Monday after a passerby called Howell police about 4:30 p.m. to report two young females at the Walmart holding signs reading “broke and homeless,” Kudrick said.

“Tehrani and Maroney have been at the Howell Walmart on previous occasions panhandling and also frequent other locations in the area,” Kudrick said. “They both found the situation to be humorous and amusing. Neither showed signs of remorse or guilt for taking advantage of the compassionate public under false pretenses.”

As Patrolman TJ Hurley approached, they ran back to Tehrani’s car with their signs, Kudrick said. While speaking with them, Hurley smelled the odor of marijuana, and a subsequent investigation and search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of marijuana and related paraphernalia. The two also had money in their possession that was donated by generous motorists, Kudrick said.

In addition to the drug charges, Tehrani also was issued motor vehicle citations for tinted windows and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, he said. Both women were released on summons pending their court appearance.

Cpl. John Weg and Patrolman Michael Pavlick assisted with the investigation, he said.