Lawrence Man Arrested on Drug Charge in Princeton

A 51-year-old Lawrence Township man was arrested in Princeton Borough on Jan. 2 after it was discovered he had a fake handicap placard, drove with a suspended license and had more than $4,000 in outstanding warrants, according to police. 

After the arrest, Princeton Borough police said they discovered that John Chmielewski, a resident of Pilgrim Avenue in Lawrence, had 13 illegally-obtained Vicodin pills and provided false identification information to officers. 

Borough police charged Chmielewski with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, hindering apprehension and contempt of court. 

It was while investigating a vehicle with a fictitious handicap parking placard in the Park Place parking lot that officers encountered Chmielewski, the driver, shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 2, police said.

Police said officers determined that he had driven with a suspended driver's license and was wanted on more than $4,000 in active warrants from Trenton and Mansfield Township. 

He was arrested and released on $4,014 bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 9.