On November 3, 2010 at approximately 10:47 p.m. while outside his patrol vehicle in the parking lot of 565 W. Westfield Avenue (7-11), Patrolman Richard Gaylord observed a white male enter the 7-11 convenience store. After several minutes the white male exited the store with a tan plastic bag. He then looked around as if he was lost. Patrolman Gaylord asked the male if he was okay and if he needed some assistance. The male, later identified as Andrew Mellein, age 21, of Clark, spoke to the officer with slurred speech. He then told the officer he was looking for his friends and had smoked a lot of marijuana and that was the reason for the slurred speech. Patrolman Gaylord observed that he had a large bulge in his waist band area.
An investigation by Patrolman Gaylord revealed that a large aluminum 24 fl. oz. can (Monster energy drink) was shoplifted from the 7-11. Mellein was placed under arrest. Further investigation resulted in the discovery of a hypodermic syringe and three (3) wax folds of suspected heroin in the possession of two of Mellein’s friends: Stephanie Randolph, age 23, and Sean Hanrahan, age 24,
both of Clark. Both parties were arrested.
Mellein was charged with 2C:20-11(shoplifting) and released R.O.R. pending a Roselle Park Municipal Court date on November 18, 2010 at 9 a.m. Hanrahan was charged with 2C:36-6 (possession of hypodermic syringe) and released R.O.R. pending a Roselle Park Municipal Court date on November 18, 2010.
Randolph was charged with 2C:36-6 (possession of hypodermic syringe) and 2C:35-10(a)1 (possession of heroin) and released pending a superior court date on November 10, 2010.