the staff of the Ridgewood blog
West Trenton NJ, The dog days of summer have officially arrived in more ways than one. Earlier this week, our best girl Penny had a very busy and productive day.
On Wednesday, July 8, New Jersey State Police K-9 Penny assisted troopers during two separate car stops on Interstate 80, which led to 7 arrests, the seizure of a handgun, drugs, and more than $33,550 cash.
At 7:59 p.m., troopers from Netcong Station stopped Shawn Garner, 20, and Phillip Eady, 19, both of Cleveland, OH, Jamar Foster, 36, of Euclid, OH, and Tatareus Johnson, 30, of Garfield Heights, OH for a traffic violation eastbound on Interstate 80 at milepost 41 in Parsippany-Troy Township, Morris County. During the stop, troopers discovered the occupants were in possession of marijuana and arrested them without incident.
During the investigation, troopers requested assistance from the State Police K-9 Unit. Staff Sergeant Eric Edelman and his K-9, Penny, responded to assist during the investigation, which led to an additional seizure of a .45 caliber handgun and more than $28,790 cash.
Shawn Garner, Phillip Eady, Jamar Foster, and Tatareus Johnson, were charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a prohibited weapons and devices, money laundering, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Garner, Foster, and Johnson were also charged with certain persons not to possess a weapon. They were all lodged at Morris County Correctional Facility.
Later that night, troopers from Totowa Station stopped Jonathan Valerio, 28, and Jason Dominguez, 28, both of Allentown, PA, and Eve-Alice Compres, 23, of Lancaster, PA, for a traffic violation westbound on Interstate 80 at milepost 51.5 in Fairfield Township, Essex County. During the stop, troopers discovered marijuana in the vehicle and arrested the occupants.
Troopers requested assistance from the State Police K-9 Unit, and once again Penny was called upon to help during the investigation, which led to an additional seizure of prescription legend drugs and $4,769 cash.
Jonathan Valerio, Jason Dominguez, and Eve-Alice Compres were charged with possession of marijuana and possession of prescription legend drugs. Dominguez was also charged with money laundering. They were released pending a court date.
Charges are merely accusations, and the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty.