HOWELL – A man attempting to get a prescription drug with a fraudulent prescription was arrested after he fled from a pharmacy, police said.
The incident happened around noon on May 24 at Future Pharmacy on Route 9. An employee called police, saying that a customer was using what appeared to be a fake prescription to get prescription grade cough syrup. He gave police a description of the customer.
The customer, later identified as Walter Capellan, 25, of The Bronx, N.Y., was spotted by Patrolman William Brooks. After a brief exchange, Capellan fled from the store, according to the police.
Capellan went into the back of a Jeep Grand Cherokee near the 7-Eleven. The officer told the people inside not to drive away. Capellan then fled on foot while Brooks stayed with the two people in the vehicle.
Additional units responded to the area to catch the suspect. He was found in the area of 1300 Route 9 South.
The two people in the Jeep said they didn’t know Capellan, but upon further investigation it was revealed that they were accomplices. They were Mairelis Cruz, 21, of The Bronx and Genesis Duarte, 23, of Philadelphia.
There was a smell of marijuana, police said, and the vehicle was searched. This uncovered several burnt marijuana cigarettes, a small package of marijuana, and a glass pipe. There were also two baby bottles, one of which had a syrupy substance which was consistent with the cough medication that was requested at the pharmacy. There were also ten credit cards which appear to be either stolen or fraudulent.
Capellan was charged with Obtaining a Controlled Dangerous Substance by Fraud, Obstruction, and Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance (marijuana).
Cruz was charged with Conspiracy to Obtain CDS by Fraud, Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance (marijuana), and Driving While Suspended. Cruz had an outstanding warrant by Clifton municipal court.
Duarte was charged with Conspiracy to Obtain CDS by Fraud, Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance (marijuana), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (pipe).
Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.
The Jeep was impounded.
