City man
arrested
for pot
By CARL E. HARTDEGEN
Staff Writer
WESTFIELD – A city man was arrested on marijuana charges Thursday evening when officers noticed a vehicle parked at Whitney playground after curfew.
Auxiliary officers Jonathan Jedlicka and Michael Kearns reported at 6:07 p.m. that they had come upon a vehicle parked at the playground which, like all city parks and playgrounds, is closed after dark.
Officer Scott Phelon responded to assist the auxiliaries and reports that when he approached the parked vehicle he immediately noticed a strong odor of burnt marijuana.
Phelon reports that he found that the 1998 Nissan Altima was occupied by two persons. He reports that when he asked the operator why he was in the playground after dark the young man said that he was there to “make out” with his girlfriend.
The operator, subsequently identified as Jeffrey Steven Bouvier, 20, of 26 Pearl St., denied that there was marijuana in the car which he said he had borrowed from a friend.
Phelon reports he believed that, due to the observed odor of marijuana, there was probable cause to investigate further and required both occupants to exit the car.
Phelon said that when the Bouvier exited the vehicle he attempted to close the locked door but he prevented him from doing so.
When Phelon examined the car, he immediately spotted a glass mason jar between the driver’s seat and the center console which contained what he believed to be marijuana.
In the back seat of the car, Phelon found a backpack and, in the backpack concealed under a hat, he found additional contraband.
Phelon reported that the backpack contained a plastic bag which was about a quarter full of what appeared to be additional marijuana, a digital scale with marijuana residue clinging to it, a grinder containing marijuana residue and cigarette rolling papers. There was also material in the backpack which indicated that it belonged to the operator.
The suspect vegetable matter was tested and confirmed to be marijuana weighing more than an ounce.
Bouvier was arrested for possession of a Class D drug with intent to distribute, for a drug violation near a school or park and for a playground curfew violation. A city ordinance violation citation for possession of marijuana was also issued and both Bouvier and his female companion were served “No trespassing” orders for all city parks and playgrounds.
The vehicle was towed to a police impound yard.
Bouvier was arraigned in Westfield District Court on Friday where he was released on his personal recognizance pending an April 3 hearing.
Carl E. Hartdegen can be reached at [email protected]
