New Canaan police, in one case using Apollo, the police dog, found marijuana in four vehicle stops in the past week (in addition to another vehicle stop Wednesday night at Waveny Park).
Police gave these accounts (accusations not proven in court):
Lakeview Avenue, 8:41 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 4
When a police officer driving west on Lakeview Avenue near its intersection with Millport Avenue saw a vehicle turn onto Lakeview from the other street without stopping, he had the car pull over.
When he talked to the driver, a 17-year-old New Canaan girl, the officer could smell marijuana. The girl was found to be in possession of a multicolored glass pipe, a metal marijuana grinder and rolling papers, along with at least trace amounts of marijuana.
She was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was also given a verbal warning for failure to stop at a stop sign and given a date to appear in Juvenile Court in Stamford.
Main Street, 8:54 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 6
A police officer on routine patrol on Main Street near Elm Street saw a vehicle turn left onto Main Street in front of his patrol car.
The officer could see a tree ornament hanging from the rear-view window that appeared to be swinging enough to cause an obstructed view, so the officer stopped the vehicle near the intersection.
The driver, a 17-year-old New Canaan boy, had glassy eyes and trembling hands. He said he left his driver’s license at home. He also said he knew he shouldn’t be driving with a passenger in the car because he’d only had his license for less than a year.
Asked if there was any marijuana in the vehicle, the driver said that about a month ago there was. The driver later admitted to marijuana being in the trunk. There, the officer found a glass bong smelling of marijuana.
Under the front passenger seat there was a large pill bottle containing two plastic bags, each with a green, leafy substance that tested positive for marijuana. The driver admitted it was all his.
The driver was charged with possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to have a driver’s license with him while driving and violating state driving restrictions by having a passenger in the car so soon after getting his license.
He was given verbal warnings for driving with an obstructed view (the ornament in the rear window) and for having cigarettes. The boy and his passenger were picked up by their parents.
Silvermine Arts Center parking lot, 9:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 7
Three 18-year-old Wilton men were asked by a police officer what they were doing parked there. They said they were deciding where to go.
The police officer who approached them smelled an alcoholic beverage on the driver, who said he drank two beers earlier that night. When asked whether there was marijuana in the car, the driver said he had a small amount in it.
The front seat passenger went to the rear hatch of hte vehicle and took from his golf bag a small plastic bag containing marijuana and a glass pipe. The driver gave the officer a small amount of marijuana that he said was his.
The driver and passenger were each issued infraction tickets.
New Norwalk Road, 7:54 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 9
An officer parked on New Norwalk Road near Hoyt Farms Road saw a car driving south with windows so tinted that the officer wasn’t able to see inside the vehicle, so the officer stopped the car.
The black Nissan Altima stopped on New Norwalk Road near its intersection with Old Norwalk Road, and when the officer approached, he could smell marijuana. The driver appeared nervous.
The driver said she lends her car to her brother and cousin, and if there were any marijuana in it, it would be theirs. The officer had the police dog, Apollo, check the car. A burnt marijuana cigharette and ashes were found in a black and silver container in the center console.
The driver, a 30-year-old Bridgeport woman, was given an infraction ticket for possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana.