An equipment violation traffic stop leads to CDS (Marijuana) arrest which ultimately led to the recovery of stolen catalytic converters and the identification and arrest of theft suspect.
According to police, on Dec. 18th at 2:30 a.m., Patrolman William Hannon conducted a motor vehicle stop with a 2004 Cadillac on W. Clay Ave. for an equipment violation.
The driver of the vehicle, Karriem Hodges, 39, of Paterson, along with both passengers Paul McNamee, 56, of Passaic and Nadeer Harper, 30, of Paterson, were all found to be in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, suspected (marijuana).
During the search of the vehicle, three cut catalytic converters were discovered in the vehicle stored in a sports bag.
Following two recent thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles in Roselle Park within the last two weeks, the items were seized for further investigation.
A follow up investigation by the Roselle Park Detective Bureau revealed that one of the catalytic converters was removed two weeks prior from a 1998 Honda that was parked on private property on E. Westfield Ave.
Police arrested Hodges, McNamee and Harper and charged them with possession of c.d.s. (marijuana) and drug paraphernalia.
In addition, police charged Hodges with theft and criminal mischief.
All three were served with a summons and released with a Roselle Park Municipal Court date.
Police are working on locating the two additional vehicles that had catalytic converters removed.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Roselle Park Police Department at 908-245-2300.