Two charged with
marijuana possession
EATONTOWN — Police apprehended two suspects after a man called to report that his marijuana had been stolen.
The suspects — David Santos Jr., 22, of Keyport, and Michael Perrette, 24, of Cranford — were arrested and charged with possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Police reported receiving an anonymous cell-phone call on March 4 from a male who said he was following a white Acura on Route 35 occupied by two males who had just robbed him at Walgreens, at Route 36 and Route 71/Monmouth Road, in West Long Branch. The caller said he had been robbed of a quarter pound of marijuana by the two occupants of the vehicle and the men were armed with a handgun, police said.
The vehicle was located by Patrolman Troy Fowlkes on Route 35 heading toward Shrewsbury, according to police. Fowlkes and Patrolman James Vandenbox stopped the vehicle near the Americana Diner and the two men were removed from the vehicle with the assistance of Officer John O’Connor, of Department of Defense Police, from Fort Monmouth.
Police said that after the two suspects were secured, a search of the car revealed a loaded Glock 9mm semi-automatic handgun and a bag containing over 50 grams of marijuana.
Santos and Perrette were charged with the previously listed offenses and taken to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold Township in lieu of $25,000 bail, according to police.
The male caller was never identified, police said. The suspects’ car was impounded for possible forfeiture.
— Sherry Conohan