DWIs, Drug Arrests Dominate Cranford Police News

A 27-year-old Cranford man was arrested Sunday at 2:13 a.m., for a variety of drug offenses involving crack cocaine after he allegedly ran a stop sign at West End Place and Springfield Avenue.

Patrolman Spencer Durkin stopped Anthony Mark's 1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass for failing to stop for a stop sign, where an investigation revealed a quantity of suspected crack cocaine. The quantity of the suspected drug was enough for Durkin to arrest Mark for possession of CDS crack cocaine, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, intent to distribute within a school zone, possession of CDS paraphernalia and failure to stop for a stop sign.

Patrolman Durkin's investigation revealed that Mark had outstanding warrants in Rahway and East Brunswick. Mark was released to East Brunswick Police with a Superior Court date today; no further details of the court date have been released.

In other news from the Cranford Police Department:

• A 31-year-old Cranford man was arrested early Saturday morning for DWI after a Cranford officer spotted him driving erratically near the Garden State Parkway. According to the report, at 12:42 a.m., officer Robert Jordan observed a 1996 Dodge pickup truck, driven by Naranjo, driving erratically in the area of Raritan Rd and the Garden State Parkway. He was stopped at Raritan Rd and Cherokee Road and during the roadside DWI investigation, Naranjo allegedly became uncooperative and belligerent towards the officer. Officer Brian Wagner arrived as back-up and Naranjo was placed under arrest for DWI and Disorderly Conduct. Once at Cranford Police Headquarters, Naranjo was further charged with Refusal to submit Breath Samples and numerous motor vehicle violations. Naranjo was to appear Wednesday in Municipal Court date, but no additional information has been provided on the hearing.
• A Kearny man faces drug charges stemming from a traffic arrest Saturday evening. Christian Marrero, 29, was stopped by Cranford officer Brian Lopez observed the front-seat passenger in Marrero's 2007 Mitsubishi SUV not wearing his seatbelt. Following a brief investigation at the scene, Officer Lopez located a small amount of what he suspected to be marijuana. Further investigation proved his suspicion and he charged Marrero possession of fewer than 50 grams of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia. His passenger also was charged with failure to wear a seatbelt. Marrero was released and supposed to be at a municipal- court hearing Wednesday; no information from his hearing has been released. 
• An Elizabeth man faces DWI and drug charges after he was stopped Saturday for a routine traffic offense. Eddie Acosta Jr., 25, was stopped by officer Steven D’Ambola because Acosta's 1995 Acura for allegedly having excesssively tinted front windows. Following a brief investigation at the scene Acosta was arrested on DWI charges. During officer D'Ambola's investigation, he found what he suspected was marijuana in the vehicle. As a result, Acosta was further charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, posession of drug paraphernalia of a controlled and dangerous substance in a motor vehicle. Acosta was released and scheduled to appear in municipal court Wednesday; no details from today's court appearance have been reported.
• A Jersey City man faces DWI, contempt of court and hindering apprehension charges after Ptl. Spencer Durkin pulled over the vehicle the man was driving Monday morning. Durkin saw a 1993 BMW with an inoperable headlight. Durkin stopped the vehicle, and saw the driver, Jose Ortiz, 26 from Jersey City, was intoxicated. Upon arrest at 1:43 a.m., Ortiz provided Durkin with a false name and was subsequently charged with hindering apprehension, driving while intoxicated, driving with a suspended license, driving an uninsured vehicle and failure to maintain lights. Ortiz had warrants out of Roselle Park. Ortiz was released after posting bail.