Stopped for Speeding, Arrested for Needles in Cortlandt

CORTLANDT, NY — New York State Police from the Cortlandt barracks stopped a Jeep on Route 9 for speeding on April 5. Then they arrested Christopher J. O’Connor, 20, and Sarah M. Pisanelli, 19.

Suspecting that O'Connor was driving while impaired by drugs, police called in a State Police Drug Recognition Expert to confirm it. They then charged the Buchanan resident with Operating a Motor Vehicle Impaired by Drugs, a Misdemeanor, and Possession of a Hypodermic Instrument, a Class A Misdemeanor.

Police allege a passenger in the vehicle, Pisanelli was also found to be in possession of hypodermic needles and a pipe containing burnt cocaine residue.

The Verplanck resident was charged with Possession of a Hypodermic Instrument and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree, both Class A Misdemeanors.

Both were issued appearance tickets directing them to appear in the Town of Cortlandt Court on April 20, 2017.

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