WESTFIELD – It started out as a simple traffic violation but, when the dust had settled, all three occupants were under arrest and two bags of cocaine had been seized.
Officer John Blascak reports that he was traveling northbound on East Mountain Road when he observed a southbound car cross the double yellow center line to pass another southbound vehicle on the road which was wet and icy in spots.
He reports that when he stopped the offending car he found that the operator, Megan Phelon, 26, of 150 Hillside Road, had a suspended license.
When the car was inventoried in preparation for towing it from the scene, a bag of cocaine was found under a floor mat within reach of the driver’s seat.
Phelon was arrested for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, possession of a Class B drug and a marked lanes violation
When Blascak asked a passenger, Tyler G. Lyttle, 22, of 140 Russell Road, if he was in possession of any drugs the man surrendered a bag of cocaine which had been secreted in his shoe.
Lyttle was arrested for possession of a Class B drug.
A second passenger, Adam Gerlip, 24, of 56 Grandview Drive, was allowed to leave with his father but returned after a few minutes while officers were still examining the car and attempted enter the vehicle.
When instructed to move away from the car, assisting officer Seth Florek reports, Gerlip balled his fists and charged at the officer. Florek reports he told the man to “Stop” and “Back up” and pushed him away when he got too close, but Gerlip kept
coming and was able to knock the officer down. Florek reports the ensuing struggle extended across both lanes of traffic before Gerlip was brought under control.
Florek suffered lacerations to two fingers in the encounter.
Gerlip was arrested for disorderly conduct and for resisting arrest.
All three defendants were arraigned yesterday in Westfield District Court where each was released on his or her personal recognizance.
Phelon and Lyttle are each scheduled to return to court on Jan. 29 while Gerlip is not due to return until March 11.