While on patrol at 1:11 p.m. on Aug. 22, police observed the driver of a red Ford Explorer not wearing his seatbelt. A motor vehicle stop was conducted on Etra Road near the East Windsor/Hightstown border. While speaking with the driver, the officer detected the odor of raw marijuana emanating from the interior of the vehicle. Further investigation revealed that the driver was in possession of a large quantity of marijuana. Michael Rivera, 23, of Hightstown, was arrested and charged with possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana, distribution of marijuana, distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school zone, possession of controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle and failure to wear a seatbelt.
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Walmart reported a male shoplifter exiting the store at 5:34 p.m. on Aug. 22. An officer arrived and located the shoplifter in the parking lot in possession of stolen merchandise. While on scene, a second shoplifter was identified. Both individuals were arrested for shoplifting. Further investigation revealed that the individuals were in possession of heroin, drug paraphernalia and merchandise that had been stolen from Walmart department stores at two different locations. Vitaly Merzhko, 24, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Ghennadi Cravciuc, 27, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were arrested and charged with possession of heroin, receiving stolen property, possession of syringes, possession of drug paraphernalia and shoplifting.
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While on patrol, police observed an individual asleep behind the wheel of a silver Chevrolet in the parking lot of the Shell Food Mart on Route 33 at 1:26 a.m. on Aug. 20. While speaking with the driver, the officer observed his eyes to be bloodshot and watery and smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. The driver was given field sobriety tests. Further investigation revealed that the driver was in possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and Adderall for which he did not have a prescription. David Morin, 32, of Perrineville, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of prescription legend drugs, driving under the influence and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.
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Walmart reported a female shoplifter attempting to exit the store at 11:49 a.m. on Aug. 18. An officer arrived and located the shoplifter in the parking lot in possession of stolen merchandise. Karrie S. Bandel, 47, of East Windsor, was arrested and charged with shoplifting.
