North Caldwell Runaway Discovered in Drug Bust

A teenager who ran away from her home in North Caldwell was found by Kinnelon police in January in a Ricker Road home that was later condemned as an unsafe structure when bath salts and marijuana led to several arrests there.

The 15-year-old girl, whose name was not released because she is a minor, was charged along with others with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia on Jan. 8. 

Police announced the results of lab tests and the final arrest made in the case on Monday after state police determined that the substance officers found in the house and believed to be bath salts packaged for sale were, in fact, bath salts, according to Lt. John Schwartz.

Matthew Supel, 20, of Kinnelon, was charged with possession and distribution of bath salts on March 8.

On Jan. 8, when the initial arrests were made, Supel; Daniel Reed, 25, of Butler; Louis Pontes III, 22, of Pompton Lakes; Harry Berkshire, 22, of Pompton Lakes; Mark Shultz, 20, of Butler; Roland Becker, 18, of Pompton Lakes; and Michele Grusovnik, 19, of Franklin were all charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The 15-year-old runaway was also charged and released to her parents.

Police went to the home on Jan. 8 around 2 p.m. after they had received information that the runaway teen was staying at the house.

When they arrived, Schwartz said officers heard people running inside and one of the teens hide a marijuana pipe. Officers obtained a search warrant and found the drugs.

All of the arrested individuals are awaiting a court appearance.

This article originally appeared on Tri Boro Patch.