Crime & Safety
East Orange Man Charged with Drugs, Weapons Offenses
Sheriff's officers reportedly spotted Roberts swerving near Branch Brook Park Tuesday
A 23-year-old East Orange man faces drugs and weapons charges after being pulled over by Essex County Sheriff’s officers near Branch Brook Park Tuesday.
Officers were on patrol around 8 pm when they spotted a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta speeding and weaving on Lake Street and pulled the vehicle over. Officers reportedly smelled burnt marijuana when Zakeer Roberts rolled down the window.
Roberts was ordered out of the car and failed to provide any identification, but did give officers a false name and date of birth as well as admitting he’d smoked marijuana and taken a Xanax. He also attempted to re-enter the car but was restrained, the Sheriff’s Office said.
A search of the car turned up a loaded, defaced 45-caliber semi-automatic handgun, as well as more than 50 decks of heroin, 14 grams of cocaine, 2 grams of marijuana and a Xanax capsule.
Roberts was charged with hindering apprehension and numerous drugs and weapons charges and was also issued motor vehicle summonses for failure to maintain lane, driving with a suspended driver’s license and possession of illegal drugs in a motor vehicle.
He was also found to be the subject of open warrants issued by the municipal courts of Newark, Howell Township, Tinton Falls and Wall Township.
Bail was set at $75,000.
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