Suspicious Man arrested outside of Rite-Aid

On Thursday, October 18, 2012, at 9:00pm, twenty-seven (27) year-old Irvington resident, Taj Lester, was arrested outside of Rite-Aid in Washington Township. According to the Washington Township Police Department, the store manager called the police and advised him that the suspect attempted to purchase numerous gift cards with a credit card. When cash was required. Lester allegedly purchased a pack of cigerettes and quickly left the store.

It was reported that the police arrived and observed Lester and 2 other individuals inside of a car parked at a gas station across the street from the store. Lester then allegedly gave the police a fake id. It is unknown how, but the police then allegedly identified Lester’s real name and undercovered that he was wanted for violating his probation. It is also unknown how, but the police also allegedly found marijuana in Lester’s possession. Lastly, the police found 1,100 gift cards inside of Lester’s car. The details regarding the search have not been released.

According to Washington Township police chief, Randy Ciocco, Lester was charged with possession of drugs, hindering apprehension and exhibiting a fake driver’s license. Lester was arraigned and bail was set at $12,500. Lester is currently in the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, New Jersey.

In order for the State to sucessfully prosecute Lester, they must prove all elements of the following crimes beyond a reasonable doubt:

Pertinently, 2C:35-10a, Possession, Use or Being Under the Influence, of Marijuana, states:
It is unlawful for any person, knowingly or purposefully, to obtain, or to possess, actually or constructively, a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog.

Possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana is considered a disorderly persons offense. If convicted, there is a  possibility of jail time up to 6 months, a fine of up to $1,000.00, a Penalty of $500.00 and/or a Drivers License Suspension of between 6 months and 2 years.

Next, 2C:29-3, Hindering apprehension or prosecution, in pertinent part, states:

b. A person commits an offense if, with purpose to hinder his own detention, apprehension, investigation, prosecution, conviction or punishment for an offense or violation of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes or a violation of chapter 33A of Title 17 of the Revised Statutes, he:

(4) Gives false information to a law enforcement officer or a civil State investigator assigned to the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor.

The offense is a crime of the third degree if the conduct which the actor knows has been charged or is liable to be charged against him would constitute a crime of the second degree or greater. The offense is a crime of the fourth degree if such conduct would constitute a crime of the third degree. Otherwise it is a disorderly persons offense.

Lastly, 2C:28-7a, Tampering with public records or information, in pertinent part, states:

A person commits an offense if he makes, presents, offers for filing, or uses any record, document or thing knowing it to be false, and with purpose that it be taken as a genuine part of information or records referred to in paragraph 1.

This a disorderly persons offense unless the actor’s purpose is to defraud or injure anyone, in which case the offense is a crime of the third degree.

As always, if you would like to discuss this matter further, contact me anytime.

Matt

Matthew C. Simon, Esq.

LAW OFFICE OF JOHN TIERNEY, LLC

1259 Route 46 East

Building 3, Suite 133

Parsippany, NJ 07054

Tel: (973) 588 – 3050