An Elizabeth man was arrested after police investigated a report of a strong odor of marjuana emanated from two men in the lobby of the Roselle Park Municipal Court.
Tuesday, at around 1:20 p.m., police approached two males that were in the lobby of the Roselle Park Municipal Court, after it was reported that both individuals had a strong odor of raw marijuana coming from their person and had the entire police lobby smelling like marijuana authorities said.
One of the individuals - later identified as Andrew Bratcher, 18, of Roselle Park, was found to be in possession of a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana) and arrested without incident.
The second individual - later identified as Derrick Thomas, 21, of Elizabeth, failed to comply with officers and fled on foot toward Westfield Avenue in an attempt to get away.
Police were able to apprehend him a short distance away.
Thomas and three of the Roselle Park Police officers sustained minor injuries as a result of the incident authorities said.
A further investigation revealed that Thomas was in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, specifically (four) ounces of marijuana, a digital scale and packaging material according to authorities.
Both Bratcher and Thomas were arrested and escorted into police headquarters where they were processed.
Andrew Bratcher was also found to have an outstanding criminal warrant out of Roselle Park Municipal Court for $1,500.
He was subsequently charged with possession of c.d.s., served on a warrant and lodged into the Union County Jail on an additional $3,500 bail.
Derrick Thomas was charged with possession of c.d.s. (marijuana) with intent to distribute, possession of c.d.s. (marijuana) over one ounce, possession of c.d.s. with intent to distribute on public property, resisting arrest, obstruction, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to turn over c.d.s. to police. Bail was set at $50,000.
He was also lodged into the Union County Jail without further incident.
These are mere allegations lodged against Bratcher and Thomas. Both men are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.