Crime Scene Middletown: POLICE ARREST FOUR ON DRUG CHARGES AFTER SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE CALL

PREPARED BY DETECTIVE LIEUTENANT STEPHEN DOLLINGER


On February 20, 2011 at approximately 8:40 pm Sgt. Paul Bailey was on patrol in the area of Highway 35 and Pine Street when he observed two vehicles parked behind the Prudential Building. The building was not open for business at the time.

Sgt. Bailey pulled into the parking lot and observed people sitting and standing near the vehicles. As he approached the first vehicle, Sgt. Bailey detected the strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from the area. He began speaking with two of the subjects, both fifteen year old juveniles. While doing so he located a hand rolled cigarette containing a green vegetation type substance which he recognized as marijuana and a small clear plastic baggie with marijuana residue in it on the ground near the passenger side door where the juveniles were sitting.

Sgt. Bailey then approached the second vehicle and detected the strong odor of raw marijuana coming from the area. He then located an open pill bottle with green vegetation type residue inside lying on the ground near the car.

Sgt. Bailey then began speaking with the occupants of the second vehicle about what he had observed. At this point a seventeen year old female reached under her shirt and removed a small, green plastic baggie containing marijuana and handed it to Sgt. Bailey.

Officers then received consent to search from the owner of the vehicle, identified as Timothy Soden, age 18 from Laurel Avenue in Little Silver. The officers then located a breath mint package which contained marijuana residue inside the car. Soden and the three juveniles were then placed under arrest.

All subjects were transported to police headquarters for processing. Soden was charged with Possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and Being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance and was released on a summons pending a court appearance.

The two male juveniles were each charged with Possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. The female juvenile was charged with Possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle. All three juveniles were released to their parents pending a court appearance.