On November 2, 2011 at 1:33 a.m., Patrolman Edward Nortrup was traveling eastbound on East Westfield Avenue, approaching 413 East Westfield Avenue (Gas-N-Go), when he observed a female standing next to the gas pumps. The business location was closed. The female was wearing dark clothing, black jacket with a hood and dark blue jeans.
Patrolman Edward Nortrup approached the female to investigate. The female was identified as Erica A. Festa, age 28 of Elizabeth, NJ. Ms. Festa was found to have an outstanding warrant from Newark for $783.00. She was placed under arrest.
Incident to her arrest, Ms. Festa was found to be in possession of two (2) hypodermic needles, one (1) black shoe lace, three (3) rubber bands wrapped around the needles, one (1) small metal bowl with suspected heroin residue inside, and three (3) wax folds containing suspected heroin.
Ms. Festa was charged with 2C:35-10(a)(1) (possession of heroin), 2C:36-6 (possession of hypodermic needle), and 2C:36-2 (possession of drug paraphernalia). Ms. Festa was released to Newark Police pending a Superior Court hearing on November 9, 2011.