April 5 At 2:56 a.m., Patrolman Thomas Stiansen was on patrol on raritan Road at Moen Avenue when he stopped a gray 2003 Pontiac for erratic driving. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Stiansen located suspected marijuana inside the vehicle. The driver, Brian McShea, 67, of Linden, was arrested, processed and released pending an appearance in Cranford Municipal Court. He was charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. April 6 At 12:08 a.m., Patrolman Spencer Durkin stopped a 2000 Kawasaki motorcycle on Centennial Avenue near the Garden …

  March 8 During routine patrol on the Garden State Parkway in Clark at 1:52 p.m., Officer Richard Rijos observed a motor vehicle violation committed by Damar Long of Linden. Once Officer Rijos initiated a motor vehicle stop, further investigation revealed that Damar Long of Linden had in his possession suspected marijuana. Long was placed under arrest and transported to Union County Police Headquarters where he was finger printed and photographed. Long was charged with the possession of marijuana and for the motor vehicle violation. He was processed and released in his own recognizance …

  March 14 At 3:02 a.m., an occupied suspicious vehicle described as a 2009 Lexus was located and checked parked on North Lehigh Avenue. Following a brief investigation at the scene, Patrolman Spencer Durkin arrested the driver, Gun Jang, 35, of West Orange, for allegedly driving while intoxicated. He was processed and released pending an appearance in Municipal Court. March 15 At 4:19 p.m., Patrolman Brian Lopez stopped a 2000 black Honda on Moen Street at Jackson Drive for a passenger seatbelt violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Lopez located several small bags of …

A Linden man was arrested for possession of prescription pills on March 12, following a motor vehicle stop. According to Cranford Police, Patrolman Spencer Durkin stopped a green, 2000 Pontiac on Centennial Avenue at Raritan Road at 6:19 p.m. for allegedly failing to stop at a red light. During the course of an investigation, Patrolman Durkin located 24 suspected oxycodone pills inside the vehicle. The occupant of the vehicle, identified as Christopher Banko, 29, of Linden, was placed under arrest and charged with possession of prescription pills and possession of drug paraphernalia. Banko …

Jan. 9 A Plainfield man was arrested for marijuana possession following a motor vehicle stop on Jan. 9. At 11:43 a.m., Officer Matthew Schaible, during routine patrol on Kenyon Avenue in Plainfield, observed a motor vehicle violation allegedly committed by Eyon McQueen, 21, of Plainfield. Once Officer Schaible initiated a motor vehicle stop, further investigation revealed that McQueen had marijuana in his possession. McQueen was placed under arrest and transported to Union County Police Headquarters where he issued a criminal complaint and motor vehicle summons and he in was finger printed a …

Cranford Police arrested a 43-year-old Elizabeth resident for drug possession and distribution following a motor vehicle stop on Jan. 30. Police say there was an 8-year-old child in the car at the time of the arrest. Kinner Harris was arrested at 9:55 p.m. following a traffic stop on Centennial Avenue at Grant Street. According to reports, Patrolman Spencer Durkin stopped a 1999 black Chrysler 300 for attempting an illegal left turn exiting the Garden State Parkway. During an investigation at the scene, Durkin located suspected heroin and marijuana in the driver's possession as well as …

Nov. 8 A Cranford man was arrested for driving while intoxicated following a traffic stop. At 11:05 p.m., Cranford Police responded to a Pine Street address on the report of theft of a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent. Later that evening, the 1999 Mazda was observed by Patrolman Derek Farbanec exiting the Garden State Parkway Exit 136 Ramp.  Farbanec stopped the vehicle. Following an investigation, Robert Maurer Jr., 20, of Cranford, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. In addition, Maurer was charged with the Unlawful Taking of the Vehicle and Driving With a …

  Oct. 10 A 10:56 a.m. Cranford Police Patrolman Timothy O’Brien was conducting an investigation of a suspicious person in the parking lot of Union County College, 1033 Springfield Ave. As a result of this investigation, Efim Vitukhnovsky, 19, of Elizabeth, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. Vitukhnovsky was released with a Cranford Municipal Court Date. Oct. 11 At 2:01 p.m. Patrolman Timothy O’Brien stopped a 1999 Chrysler for a motor vehicle violation. During the investigation the driver, Jason Sobolewski, 26, of …

  Aug. 9 At 3:12 p.m., Cranford Police Patrolman Matthew Nazzaro stopped a 2000 Nissan for a motor vehicle violation in the area of Centennial Avenue and Hayes Street. As a result of the investigation, the passenger, Alan Lopez-Baylon, 27, of Linden, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Lopez-Baylon was issued a motor vehicle summons for failure to wear a seatbelt. In addition, Lopez-Baylon had outstanding traffic warrants out of East Brunswick and Englishtown. He was released to the Englishtown Police Department and given a Cranford …

Each week, Patch combs through the more shocking, surprising and often absurd alleged criminal acts and police-related incidents that unfold throughout New Jersey. Here’s what went on this week for “OMGs from NJ PDs.” A Place to Rest His Karate-Loving Head:Timothy J. Klein, of Paterson, seemed determined, as so many of our OMG PD stars do, to make a bad night turn worse. It started when a Morristown gas station attendant tried to kick out Klein, 34, who had parked his car there. Threats were made, cops were called and we learned that Klein is a “seventh-degree black belt” with a plethora of …

A routine motor vehicle stop by Cranford Police led to the arrest of two Linden men on charges including drug possession and possession of heroin with an intent to distribute. On June 12 at 11:04 p.m., Officer Nelson Hearns stopped a 1991 GMC Jimmy in the area of South and Meeker avenues for not having any illuminated tail lights. Upon conducting an on-scene investigation, Officer Hearns determined that the passenger, Ralph J. Pepe, 45, of Linden, had an outstanding warrant out of Newark for $500. Pepe was placed under arrest for that warrant at which time Officer Hearns located 50 folds of …

Two Newark residents were arrested by Cranford Police on June 22 after they attempted to have a prescription for Oxycodone filled using a fake prescription. At 1:37 p.m. Officers John Colineri, Patrick Fay and Spencer Durkin were dispatched to Walgreens on South Avenue West when the pharmacist determined individuals were attempting to fill a fraudulent prescription for 60 Oxycodone. The officers located two individuals in the parking lot and conducted a brief investigation. Kieyanah M. Banks, 28, and Michael Hardy Jr., 24 - both of Newark - were arrested and charged with obtaining a …

June 6 Cranford Police arrested a Linden man on June 6 for alleged drug possession. At 2:25 p.m., Officer Spencer Durkin stopped a 2004 Kia for driving in a careless manner on Raritan Road near Coleman Avenue. After a brief on-scene investigation, Officer Durkin arrested and charged the driver, Michael G. Vida, 53, of Linden, for possession of prescription pills and possession of controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia. Vida was also issued motor vehicle summonses for careless driving, failure to wear a seatbelt, possession of CDS in a motor vehicle and obstruction of view. Vida was …

Routine traffic stops and a calls regarding a dispute in town led to the arrest of individuals on three separate occasions who were wanted for having outstanding warrants. April 17 At 11:33 p.m., Cranford Police Officer Brian Wagner stopped a 2001 Toyota Rav 4 for a motor vehicle violation in the area of Raritan Road and Centennial Ave. While conducting an on scene investigation Officer Wagner learned that the driver, Winfred K. Abimah, 53, of Hillside, was a wanted fugitive out of Essex County. Abimah had a "no bail warrant" from the Essex County Sheriff’s Department. Abmiah was placed under…

  April 11 At 8:28 p.m., Cranford Police Officer Nelson Hearns stopped a 1990 Honda for a motor vehicle violation in the area of Springfield Avenue and West End Place. After a brief on-scene investigation, Officer Hearns discovered that the driver, Johnathan Suscal, 21, of Newark, had an outstanding warrant for his arrest from the City of Newark totaling $325. Also, the passenger, Wendy P. Poslonces-Reis, 30, of Elizabeth was found to have outstanding warrants out of Elizabeth and Dover totaling $840. Both Suscal and Posloncer were released pending court proceedings. April 12 At 12:20 a.m., …

March 22 At 3:45 p.m., Cranford Police arrested a Linden man on drug charges. According to reports, Officer Steven D’Ambola stopped a suspicious male walking in the area of Raritan Road and Centennial Avenue. After a brief on-scene investigation, Officer D’Ambola arrested and charged Enrique N. Nugent, 27, of Linden, for possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and possession of controlled dangerous substannce paraphernalia. It was also determined that Nugent had an outstanding warrant in the amount of $200 from Roselle Park. Nugent was released after posting bail with a Cranford …

A routine traffic stop led to the arrest of a Newark man and a juvenile on March 16, after he was found to be in possession of suspected heroin. On March 16, Cranford Police Officer Spencer Durkin stopped a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria for making an illegal turn in the area of Raritan Road and Coleman Avenue. After a brief at the scene, Durkin located more than 100 folds of suspected heroin on two passengers of the vehicle. The passengers, Joshua Rodriques, 18, of Newark and a 17-year-old juvenile were arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (heroin), possession …

March 3 At 8 a.m., Cranford Police Officer Joseph Stulpin stopped a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta in the area of Walnut and South avenues. The vehicle was stopped in traffic with the driver slumped over the steering wheel. Officer Stulpin was able to gain entry to the vehicle and secure it from moving. After further investigation on the scene, Officer Stulpin arrested and charged Kristin M. Stanley, 25, of Cranford, for driving while intoxicated and obstructing the flow of traffic. Stanley was released with Cranford Municipal Court proceedings pending. At 6:14 p.m. Sgt. Frank Williams stopped a 1995 …

Feb. 27 At 10:06 p.m., Cranford Police Officer Christopher DiFabio stopped a 2005 Chevy Malibu for having an inoperable tail light in the area of Centennial Avenue and the Cayuga Road jug handle. After a brief investigation on the scene, Officer DiFabio arrested and charged the driver, Terrell D. Thomas, 25, Antoine T. King, 26 and Yaashiek J. Benjamin, 23, all of Paterson, for possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and possession of controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia. Thomas was also issued motor vehicle summonses for failure to maintain lamps and possession of CDS in a …

Nov. 23 Following a stop at 7:15 p.m. for motor vehicle violations on North Avenue East near Forest Avenue, Ptl. Spencer Durkin arrested Christopher Garcia, 30, of Elizabeth on an outstanding warrant issued by Union County. Garcia was processed and turned over to the Union County Sheriff’s Office pending a court appearance. Two people were arrested on drug-related charges at 9:30 p.m. following a motor vehicle stop in the area of North Union Avenue and Claremont Place. Ptl. Spencer Durkin stopped a 2007 Saturn for inoperable brake lights. Following a brief investigation at the scene, the …