Crime & Safety

Riverdale K-9 Unit Assists With Butler Heroin Arrest

Motor vehicle stop on Route 23 leads to drug charges.

arrested a Vernon man and Wantage woman Saturday, after a Riverdale Police Department narcotics canine allegedly detected heroin in the man's vehicle.

Kenneth C. Melone Jr., 22, who owns the vehicle, was charged with possession of controlled dangerous substances, possession of controlled dangerous substances while operating a motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle with unsafe tires.

According to police, Ptl. Jorge Reyes conducted a routine license plate inquiry when he found that the owner of a 2006 silver Ford traveling north on Route 23 allegedly had two outstanding warrants out for his arrest from Franklin and Sparta municipal courts for a total of $430.

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When Reyes pulled over the vehicle at about 12:10 p.m., police said he saw in plain view inside the vehicle several glassine envelopes, which police said are commonly associated with packaging heroin. Police said Reyes then contacted the Riverdale Police Department for assistance, using their narcotics detection canine.

Police said Reyes pulled over the vehicle at about 12:10 p.m., at which time he was met with the owner, , of Vernon. Police said Reyes allegedly observed several glassine envelopes, which police said are commonly associated with packaging heroin, in plain view in the vehicle. 

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Ptl. Pat Harden, of the Riverdale Police Department, responded with K-9 Dugan, and police said the unit helped uncover the heroin in the vehicle. Melone was arrested and transported to the Butler police station.

Police said Melone’s bail was set at $10,000, which he was unable to post, and he was sent to the Morris County Correctional Facility with a ticket to appear in court at a later date.

Lisa Slate, 31, of Wantage, was a passenger in the vehicle and also allegedly discovered to have a warrant out for her arrest out of the Pequannock Police Department totaling $80, police said. Police said Slate was unable to post bail and was turned over to the Pequannock Police Department.

Police said Reyes was assisted in the arrest by Butler Police Sgt. Keith Soules and Ptl. Dimitri Clarke.

Butler Police Department disclaimer: A charge is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.


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