PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Patrol Officer Ryan Taylor was in the area of Arlington Plaza on Friday, July 13 at 4:50 p.m. when he observed a 2017 Jeep Compass cut through the parking lot of LongHorn Steakhouse to avoid the traffic signal. A traffic stop was initiated. Upon speaking to the driver, Anthony Mastriani, 23, Bloomfield, the officer detected the odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the vehicle.
After a brief investigation Mr. Mastriani was found to have an active warrant issued by Atlantic City Municipal Court with a bail of $1,500.00. He was advised that he had an active warrant and became agitated and would not follow the officer’s directions to place his hands behind his back.
Officer Taylor and Officer Elston were able to place Mr. Mastriani’s hands behind his back. While being escorted to the Police vehicle he continued to pull away and struggle with the officers.
Mr. Mastriani intentionally struck the hood of the patrol vehicle with his head causing a dent. Officers were able to place him into handcuffs and secure him in the patrol vehicle.
During the course of the investigation, officers located a marijuana cigarette and rolling papers in the vehicle he was operating. Officers also determined that he was driving on a suspended license
After being transported to police headquarters, he was charged with Possession of Less than Fifty Grams of Marijuana, a Disorderly Person Offense; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a Disorderly Person Offense;Resisting Arrest, a Disorderly Person Offense; Driving While Suspended (Traffic Offense); Failure to Exhibit a Driver’s License (Traffic Offense); Failure to Exhibit Vehicle Registration (Traffic Offense); and Avoidance of a Traffic Control Device (Traffic Offense).
While at police headquarters Mr. Mastriani stated he was having a medical issue and was transported to Morristown Medical Center for treatment.
He was released on his own recognizance pending his court date for both the warrant and Parsippany charges.
