Police Blotter: Traffic Stops Lead To Drug Charges, DWI Arrests

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 State Parkway entrance when he observed the driver make an improper turn and lose control of the vehicle.  Following an investigation at the scene, the driver, Phillip Araujo, 26, of Kearney, was arrested for driving while intoxicated. He was processed and released pending an appearance in Cranford Municipal Court.

• Following an investigation in the parking lot of the Homewood Suites at 6:55 p.m., Patrolman Spencer Durkin arrested Natasha Warren, 42, of Newark, after suspected heroin was located on her person. She was processed and released pending an appearance in Superior Court. Warren was charged with possession of heroin, possession of prescription medications and possession of drug paraphernalia.

April 7

• While on patrol on Springfield Avenue at 4:53 p.m., Patrolman Brian Lopez stopped a white 1991 Toyota for an inoperable taillight. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Lopez arrested the driver Tyler Hill, 63, of Cranford, for driving while intoxicated. He was processed and released pending an appearance in Cranford Municipal Court.

April 8

• At 7:22 p.m., while on patrol on Raritan Road at Coleman Avenue, Patrolman Robert Jordan stopped a 1994 green Mercury for an inoperable taillight. The driver, Stepfan Reid, 34, of Linden, was found to have multiple outstanding arrest warrants from Essex County. During his arrest and processing, suspected marijuana was located on his person. Reid was released to the custody of the Essex County Jail pending an appearance in Cranford Municipal Court.