Yaphank, NY - March 1st, 2015 - Suffolk County Police yesterday arrested a man for criminal impersonation and hiding drugs within his body.
Highway Patrol Officer Matthew DeWitt was on patrol westbound on Sunrise Highway, by Horseblock Road, Yaphank when he initiated a traffic stop on a man who was driving a Chrysler mini-van erratically at approximately 2 p.m.
The driver of the van gave Officer DeWitt a false name. Further investigation by the officer determined the driver, Jason Brown, had his New York State driver’s license suspended a total of 41 times over 11 dates. During the investigation, Officer DeWitt also observed marijuana in plain view within the van. Brown was transported to the 5th Precinct in Patchogue, for processing. While at the precinct, Officer DeWitt discovered Brown had hidden on his person quantities of heroin and cocaine.
Brown, 36, of Mastic Beach was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 1st Degree, Criminal Impersonation, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree. He was also issued a traffic summons for Failure to Maintain or Stay Within his lane of travel. The van was impounded.
The investigation is continuing. Brown is being held overnight at the 5th Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on March 1.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.