CLINTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (Hunterdon County) – Three people were arrested on drug-related charges in Hunterdon County following suspicious activity in Clinton Township, according to Clinton Township Police Chief Thomas A. DeRosa.
On February 13, the occupants of a silver Lincoln SUV were observed allegedly acting suspiciously at another gas station. After exiting the business, the driver, Mathew Shann, 39, of Bangor, Pa., who had discharged his passengers, made an unsafe lane change on Route 31 South before entering US Fuel, where a motor vehicle stop was conducted, DeRosa said.
During the traffic stop, K9 Tapko positively alerted to the presence of narcotics emanating from the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed six baggies with CDS residue and two syringes, DeRosa said.
Shann was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, unsafe lane change, driving while suspended, and failure to possess proof of insurance. He was released pending a court appearance, DeRosa said.
The passengers who had been in Shann’s vehicle, Cassie M. Lutz, 35, of Belvidere, and Jeffrey A. Stone, 37, of Stewartsville, were later located in another vehicle, which was stopped for motor vehicle violations on Route 31 North near Halstead Street, DeRosa said.
During the traffic stop, it was determined that Stone was allegedly under the influence of CDS, and Lutz allegedly attempted to identify herself using another person’s identification, DeRosa said.
K9 Tapko positively alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. A search revealed CDS, drug paraphernalia, and a driver’s license stolen from another woman. A records check of both individuals revealed multiple outstanding warrants, DeRosa said.
Lutz was charged with possession of CDS, hindering apprehension, receiving stolen property, loitering for the purpose of using/selling/purchasing CDS, possession of drug paraphernalia, and being a fugitive from justice.
Stone was charged with loitering for the purpose of using/selling/purchasing CDS and being under the influence of CDS.
Both were transported to the county jail. The driver of the vehicle was issued two motor vehicle summonses, DeRosa added.
