Citizen Helps Arrest Man Who Tried To Throw Drugs Down Drain: Wayne PD

WAYNE, NJ — Officials say a concerned citizen helped Wayne Police with an arrest recently, after cops saw a man jaywalking near Willowbrook Mall and he ran from them.

The man tried to throw a bag he was carrying down a storm drain, police said — and officers recovered 27 baggies of suspected crack cocaine, uncut crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and Suboxone, along with $1,250 in cash. Police arrested him on Monday evening, Oct. 21.

According to Wayne PD, two officers patrolling near Willowbrook saw 60-year-old Michael J. Brown of Paterson walk across all lanes of Route 23 near the former TGI Friday's location. The officers stopped Brown and asked to see his ID, while telling him they saw him illegally cross the road.

Police discovered that Brown had an outstanding warrant, and the officers told him they would arrest him.

"At that time, Mr. Brown said he would not go back to jail and fled on foot," a police spokesman said.

Officers began chasing Brown as he ran into the right lane of Route 23, where he tripped and fell. As they tried to arrest him, police said, Brown tried to throw a bag he was carrying into a storm drain.

At this point, a bystander stepped in to help police make the arrest. Brown admitted that he was in possession of crack cocaine, police said.

According to police, the bag that Brown threw had 27 small baggies "containing suspected crack cocaine," one bag of uncut crack cocaine, one bottle of suspected methamphetamine, one film of Suboxone, and $1,250 in cash.

Officers booked Brown on three charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance and one count each of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, tampering with evidence, obstruction of justice, resisting arrest by flight, and interference with transportation.