Crime & Safety

Police: Motor Vehicle Stop Leads to Drug and Weapons Charges

Police say couple in car had drug paraphernalia, brass knuckles

According to a Springfield police report, shortly before 10 pm on Saturday, July 17, police stopped Tyrell Bowers and Mercedes Austin for driving in a car with a broken headlight and taillight on Morris Ave.

Police say that when they approached the car, numerous burnt marijuana cigarettes were in the ashtray. In addition to the roaches allegedly found in the car Bowers, 22, of Elizabeth, reportedly had a grinding device used to separate seeds from raw marijuana. He was charged with possessing drug paraphernalia.        

Austin, 25, of Newark, reportedly had a pair of brass knuckles in her purse. Brass knuckles are illegal in New Jersey, and police charged Austin with possession of an unlawful weapon.

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In addition to the separate charges listed above, both Bowers and Austin were charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana. They are scheduled to appear in Union County court later this month. 

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