Routine Traffic Stops Lead to Drug, Alcohol Arrests

Cranford police arrested numerous individuals for alleged drug and alcohol offenses in the last week. Details:

Saturday, January 16:
Officer Spencer Durkin stopped a vehicle for making an illegal left turn onto Cayuga Road at 8:19 p.m. Through further investigation the 20-year-old driver and 19-year-old passenger, both from Staten Island, were charged with possession of CDS marijuana and possession of CDS paraphernalia. The driver was also charged with making an illegal left hand turn.

Officer Robert Jordan stopped a vehicle on Centennial Avenue near the Parkway overpass at 1:58 a.m. for failing to stop at a sign. Through further investigation the 28-year-old driver from Clark was arrested for driving while intoxicated. He was also charged with careless driving.

Officer Derek Farbanec was conducting a radar exercise on North Union Avenue when he stopped a vehicle for driving over the posted speed limit of 25 at 3:44 a.m. Through further investigation the 19-year-old driver from Cranford was arrested for underaged driving while intoxicated. She was also charged with speeding.

Sunday, January 17:
Officer Eugene Perrotta stopped a vehicle on Springfield Avenue for driving over the double yellow lines at 11:57 p.m. Through further investigation the 40-year-old driver from South River was arrested for driving while intoxicated. She was also issued summonses for careless driving and failure to keep to the right.

Tuesday, January 19:
Perrotta stopped a vehicle on Walnut Avenue and Benhert Place for careless driving at 11:13 p.m. Through further investigation the 28-year-old driver from Clark was charged with driving while intoxicated, driving while suspended, for having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, and careless driving.

Wednesday, January 20:
Perrotta responded to a motor vehicle accident on Denman Road at 7:38 p.m. The 42-year-old driver from Cranford struck a vehicle parked on Denman Road. Through further investigation the driver was arrested for driving while intoxicated. She was also charged with refusal to submit breathalyzer tests, careless driving, and failure to exhibit vehicle registration.

Thursday, January 21:
Detective Russell Luedecker stopped a vehicle on Holly Street for operating a vehicle with an expired inspection sticker at 2:55 p.m. Through further investigation the 26-year-old driver from Hillside was arrested for possession of marijuana, possession of CDS paraphernalia, possession of CDS in a motor vehicle, expired insurance, and failure to inspect vehicle.

Saturday, January 23:
Durkin stopped a vehicle on Centennial Avenue for driving without a front license plate at 10:28 p.m. Through further investigation the 18-year-old driver from Paramus was arrested for possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. The driver was also issued a summons for driving without a front plate.

Sunday, January 24:
Officer Timothy O'Brien stopped a motor vehicle on North Avenue for driving over the double yellow lines at 3:48 p.m. Through further investigation the 19-year-old driver from Wayne was charged with possession of cocaine, CDS paraphernalia, CDS in a motor vehicle, and careless driving.

Officer Thomas Stiansen stopped a vehicle on North Avenue at Alden Street for a faulty brake light at 11:44 p.m. Through further investigation the 23-year-old driver from Clark was arrested for possession of marijuana, CDS paraphernalia. The driver was also issued summonses for CDS in a motor vehicle and maintenance of brake lights.