Crime & Safety

Cranford Police Charge Two Drivers With Marijuana Possession

Here are the Cranford Police reports this week.

  • Ptl. Thomas Stiansen arrested Linden resident Joshua Brown, 31,  for alleged possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and related paraphernalia.

Stiansen first pulled over Brown, driving a 1993 Buick, on Raritan Road by the Garden State Parkway southbound ramp on May 4 around 8 p.m. He then located suspected marijuana in the vehicle and on Brown's person.  Brown was arrested, processed and released with a date in Cranford Municipal Court on May 5, 2011. A 21-year-old female passenger was found to have an outstanding traffic warrant from Woodbridge Township and was also arrested, then released after posting bail.

Here are the rest of the Cranford Police reports this week:

  • On May 7 Cranford Police charged Winfield Park resident Andrew Sojka, 30, with disorderly conduct and criminal mischief after he allegedly damaged the cell block toilet using a blanket and mattress while housed in the Cranford Police Department. Sojka was originally arrested by police for outstanding traffic warrants from Newark, Rahway and Long Hill Township.  He is scheduled to appear in Cranford Municipal Court on May 11.
  • Harrison resident Andrea Velaquez, 24, was arrested for allegedly driving while under the influence of alcohol on May 5.

Around 3 a.m. Ptl. Brian Lopez first pulled over Velaquez, driving a 2008 Acura TSX, on Centennial Avenue by the Garden State Parkway northbound ramp after allegedly noticing that her driving was erratic. She first appeared in Cranford Municipal Court on May 4.

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  • Ptl. Robert Jordan arrested 22-year-old Jean Derivous  on South Avenue East by Meeker Avenue for alleged possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and related paraphernalia. 

Jordan pulled over Derivous on May 7 around 2:26 a.m. for non-working brake lights on the suspect's 1998 Buick. The officer then found a suspected marijuana cigar located inside the vehicle. Derivous was arrested, processed and released with a court date of May 11 in Cranford Municipal Court. He also received a citiation for the brake light.


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