Traffic Stops Lead to Back-to-Back Drug Arrests, Police Say

Patrols of Routes 17 and 287 in Mahwah led to back-to-back drug arrests Tuesday, Police Chief Jim Batelli announced in a release Wednesday afternoon.

At 10:46 a.m. Tuesday, Officers John Lange and Sean Hayes pulled over Heather Heidt, 22, of Lake Pleasant, NY, for moving violations on Route 287 South, Batelli said.

Officers noticed, “relatively fresh puncture marks on her hand,” Batelli said.

In the car, cops found morphine, oxycodone, a syringe, and other drug paraphernalia, police said.

Heidt was charged with possession of controlled dangerous substances, possession of a syringe, possession of drug paraphernalia, and motor vehicle summonses, Batelli said.

Later in the day, on 17 South, Officers Ryan Hill and Sean Hayes pulled over a Ford Explorer for following too closely and an unsafe lane change, Batelli said.

After the officers smelled marijuana in the car, they found marijuana, several pharmaceutical folds of heroin, and a white plastic straw with white powder residue inside, Batelli said.

The driver, Josiah Chaplain, 22, of West Milford, was arrested on heroin, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia possession charges, police said.

Both are scheduled to appear in Mahwah Municipal Court.