PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Patrol Officer Garza was speaking to Matthew Diana, 25, Orange, who approached him while he was on a traffic stop on Halsey Road (near Summit Road). This incident occurred on Saturday, February 3 at 11:51 a.m.
Mr. Diana thought the vehicle that Officer Garza had pulled over was his car service that he had requested. Patrol Officers Zachary Koch and Gregory Bloete responded to assist Officer Garza. While speaking to Mr. Diana, officers detected the odor of marijuana emanating from him.
After a brief investigation it was determined that he had three active warrants for his arrest. He was placed under arrest and found to be in possession of marijuana. Mr. Diana requested his belongings be turned over to a female who lives in close proximity to where they were currently located. Officers made contact with Jessica Faber, 19, Parsippany, and found that she also had an active warrant for her arrest. She was placed under arrest due to her active warrant.
Both individuals were transported to police headquarters and processed. Ms. Faber was able to post the $250.00 bail on her traffic warrant for failure to appear from Hillside Municipal Court. She was released pending her new court date.
Mr. Diana was charged with Possession of less than 50 grams of Marijuana.
He was released on his own recognizance pending his court date on the Parsippany charge. His custody was transferred to the Clifton Police Department since he could not post the $1000.00 bail for the active warrant from their municipal court.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
