Q-Tip Leads to Man's Heroin Arrest

What some may have seen as a simple Q-tip, lead to an arrest of one local man.

On March 22, at 6:49 p.m., Pottstown Police stopped an individual in the area of North Franklin Street and Chestnut Street after observing suspicious behavior, said police reports.

Joseph Robert Voto, 28, of Hawley, Pa., was identified walking northbound on Franklin Street by Pottstown Police. Police reports state the Voto repeatedly looked over his shoulder to keep an eye on officers approaching.

“I observed he had a look of concern on his face,” reported Ofc. Brandon Sheehan, of the Pottstown Police.

After suspicion of a contraband, Sheehan approached Voto and gained his permission to search for narcotics, said the report.

“I recovered a cotton swab from behind his left ear, a bottle cap from his right front pants pocket and green wax paper bags containing an off-white, powdery substance suspected to be heroin,” said Sheehan’s report.

The substance was tested and found to be heroin. The bottle cap and swab also are commonly used for preparation in heroin use, police said.

Voto was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and disorderly conduct. He was taken to Borough Hall to be processed and remained incarcerated until he could be arraigned, said police reports.

While being taken into jail, police also found a “One Account Premier Mastercard” issued to an unknown woman, who later confirmed he was permitted to have possession of her card.