JACKSON – A Lakewood man has been arrested after police discovered several drugs and paraphernalia in his car Thursday night.
Around 9:10 p.m., Officers Michael Basso and Preston Kunz from the Jackson Township Police Department were patrolling on Brookwood Parkway and looked up the license plate of a 2018 Nissan, discovering that the vehicle registration was expired.
The car’s driver later appeared and made multiple attempts to avoid the marked patrol unit before quickly pulling to the curb on Indiana Avenue.
After making contact with the driver, “it was observed that the passenger side window had been rolled down and a bag which appeared to have been discarded was located on the curb next to the passenger side of the vehicle,” police stated. The driver later denied the bag was his, police said.
After checking the bag, police found marijuana, a large bag of suspected heroin, several smaller bags containing suspected heroin, a scale, grinders and several dozen smaller bags consistent with drug packaging.
A Howell K9 officer arrived to assist and a further search revealed cash in excess of $800 from the car.
The driver, identified as Juan Penaloza, 32, of Lakewood, was placed under arrest and the car was impounded.
Penaloza was charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of CDS with the Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia along with multiple motor vehicle violations including Operating an Unregistered Vehicle and Possession of CDS while Operating a Motor Vehicle. He was processed and released on summons pending a court appearance.
The public are reminded that any persons arrested or charged with any offenses or crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
