Bernards Police Arrest 4 For Marijuana Violations

BASKING RIDGE, NJ—Bernards police reported four arrests for marijuana violations in the township in the last 10 days.

On August 10 at 10:45 a.m., officer Nicholas Dante stopped a 2019 Jeep for a moving violation near Martinsville Road. Police say the odor of marijuana in the vehicle prompted Dante to investigate, leading to the driver, Seon Daniel, 35, of Montclair, admitting to smoking two hours prior to the stop and to having marijuana in the car. Daniel was arrested, charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, and issued motor vehicle summonses before being released.

On August 13 at approximately 9:00 p.m., officer Tom Polizzi stopped a 2008 Honda Accord for speeding on Rt. 78 east. According to police, the officer smelled marijuana when speaking with the driver, Damian Richardson, 18, from Allentown, PA, leading to a vehicle search. Polizzi allegedly found a clear plastic bag and rolling papers inside the vehicle, which the officer said Richardson admitted owning. Richardson was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia before being released.

On August 14 at 5:30 p.m., officer Anthony Severino observed a black Chevy Equinox with Pennsylvania plates parked in a handicapped spot without a placard. Officer Severino said that while speaking with the occupants, he smelled marijuana inside the vehicle. Police said when the officer told the driver that the vehicle would be searched, the passenger, Louis Figueroa, 23, of Bethlehem, PA, admitted he had a bag of marijuana under his seat. Figueroa was arrested and charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana before being released. The driver was issued a summons for parking in a handicapped space.

On August 15 at 2:30 p.m., officer Nicholas Dante stopped a 2012 Chrysler behind Riverwalk Mall on Martinsville Road for an equipment violation. Dante said he smelled marijuana when speaking with the driver, Jared Thomas, 27, of Irvington, and searched the vehicle. Thomas was arrested as a result of the search and charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia before being released.