March 12, 2015
Hopewell Township police Lt. Chris Kascik reported:
— On Feb. 26 at 10:08 p.m., Officer Nicholas Sparaco went to Route 31 near Delaware Avenue to check out a report of an erratic driver in a white Cadillac.
The officer located the vehicle and spoke with the driver, identified as Justin J. Maldonado, 24, of West State Street, Trenton. While speaking with him, the officer smelled the odor of alcohol on his breath and person. After Mr. Maldonado performed roadside sobriety tests, he was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released to a friend after being cited for DWI, DWI in a school zone, reckless driving and having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle. His case will be heard in Municipal Court.
— On March 2 at 10:42 p.m., Officer Christopher Vaccarino stopped the driver of a 2012 Hyundai for a motor vehicle violation on Tanglewood Drive. While speaking with the driver, identified as Alaina M. Budzinski, 21, of 49 Endicott Road, Ewing, the officer smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. After consent to search was obtained to search the vehicle, a small amount of marijuana and a metal grinder was recovered. Ms. Budzinski was placed under arrest for the marijuana.
A passenger in the vehicle, identified as Miranda Crum, 20, of Millard Terrace, Ewing, also was found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana, the metal grinder and prescription pills for which she did not have a prescription. Ms. Crum was placed under arrest as well.
Both women were transported to police headquarters, processed and released after being charged. Ms. Budzinski’s case will be heard in Municipal Court. Ms. Crum’s case will be reviewed by the Mercer County prosecutor’s office.
— On March 4 at 3:05 p.m., Officer Sparaco stopped the driver of a 2008 Chevrolet on Scotch Road for a motor vehicle violation. While speaking with the driver, identified as Tarik J. McClain, 24, of Park Lane, Hamilton, warrants for his arrest from Hamilton Township were located. He was transported to police headquarters, processed and turned over to the Hamilton Township police after being cited for having no front license plate on his vehicle and driving a car with an expired inspection sticker. His case will be heard in Municipal Court.
— On March 5 at 2:24 p.m., Officer Kevin Koveloski was investigating a minor traffic accident on Route 29 at Nedsland Avenue. While speaking with Anthony M. Brown, 19, of Warren Street, Trenton — one of the drivers — a warrant for his arrest from the City of Trenton was found. Mr. Brown was transported to police headquarters, processed and released. His case will be heard in Municipal Court in Trenton.
— On March 8 at 1:16 p.m., Officer James Rosso stopped the driver of a 2000 Pontiac on I-95 near Scotch Road for a motor vehicle violation. While speaking with the driver, identified as Michael M. Ellis, 27, of Moreland Avenue, Trenton, warrants for his arrest out of Lawrence Township were located. He was transported to police headquarters, processed and cited for driving while suspended, driving without a license, failure to inspect his motor vehicle and not having a valid insurance card. He was turned over to the custody of the Lawrence Township police. His cases will be heard in Lawrence Township and Hopewell Township municipal courts.
— On March 4 at 2:04 p.m., Officer Rosso stopped the driver of a 2003 Infiniti on I-95 near Scotch Road for a motor vehicle violation. While speaking with the driver, identified as Jabaree T. Ware, 21, of Dekalb Street, Franklin, the officer smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and on his person. After obtaining consent to search the vehicle, a bag containing five brownies with marijuana baked into them was located.
Mr. Ware was transported to police headquarters, processed and released after being charged with possession of marijuana, having tinted windows on his vehicle, having an unregistered vehicle, not having a front license plate and possession of a controlled substance in a motor vehicle. His case will be forwarded to the Mercer County prosecutor’s office.