Wayne PD Seize Over 40 Bags of Heroin During Willowbrook Mall Drug Deal

Wayne Police seized over 40 bags of heroin at Willowbrook Mall during an alleged narcotics distribution Wednesday.

Special Operations Detectives from the Wayne Police Department and Wanaque Police Department began conducting surveillance after confirming a report of a narcotics distribution at the Willowbrook Mall food court at 7 p.m., Captain Laurence Martin said.

They then learned that two males, Austin J. Demarest, 20, of Hewitt, and Larry W. Urtarte, 21, of Paterson, were conducting a narcotics deal while sharing a bathroom stall in the men’s room.

According to Captain Martin, Demarest ”began resisting arrest by wrestling” detectives in an attempt to flee but was arrested along with Urtarte after authorities seized 44 glassine bags of heroin stamped “Punch Em” and 18 bags of suspected marijuana.

Demarest was charged with possession of 22 bags of heroin and resisting arrest with force, while Urtarte, who was also found to have outstanding warrants out of Paterson for simple assault, was charged with possession of 22 bags of heroin, possession of 10 bags of marijuana, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and possession with the intent to distribute heroin, Captain Martin said.

After being transported back to the Wayne Police Department for processing, Urtarte was placed on $5,000 bail and was released with court dates on the Paterson warrants after posting bail, while Demarest was released on summons.

Photo 1: Larry W. Urtarte

Photo 2: Austin J. Demarest