Police Checkpoints Result In Drug Arrests

A pedestrian decoy checkpoint and a vehicle safety checkpoint led to arrests when investigations revealed that suspects were in possession of marijuana.

The first incident took place on Sept. 25 at 1:51 p.m. when Officer William Pietrucha was assigned to a pedestrian decoy checkpoint at the intersection of Centennial and Winans avenues. During the course of the checkpoint, a 2004 white Subaru failed to yield to the pedestrian in the crosswalk. Officer Pietrucha stopped the vehicle and while conducting a roadside investigation, detected the odor or raw marijuana emanating from the interior of the vehicle.

After further investigation, Officer Pietrucha arrested and charged the passenger, Evan J. Moulton, 19, of Union, with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and possession of controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia. Moulton was released with Municipal Court proceedings pending.

During a second checkpoint on Sept. 26 at 1:50 p.m., a Piscataway resident was arrested on drug charges.

Officer Spencer Durkin was assigned to a motor vehicle safety checkpoint at the
intersection of Raritan Road and Coleman Avenue when he observed a blue Honda that did not have a valid inspection certificate. Officer Durkin stopped the vehicle and while conducting a roadside investigation, he detected the odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the interior of the vehicle. After further investigation, Officer Durkin arrested and charged the driver, Priyank T. Trivedi, 23, with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, possession of CDS paraphernalia and possession of CDS in a motor vehicle. Trivedi was also issued a motor vehicle summons for failure to make repairs and was released with Municipal Court proceedings pending.