Politics & Government
Police: Driver Admitted to Drugs Before Search
Bethlehem Police stop City man driving a stolen car and he allegedly admitted he had heroin and marijuana.
A Bethlehem man driving a stolen car was stopped by police Monday afternoon and admitted he had heroin and marijuana in the vehicle even before police searched it, court records say.
Stephon Maurice Lawrence, 25, was driving a black 2008 Buick LaCrosse reported stolen last month in Jim Thorpe when police stopped him a little after 4pm at E. Fourth and Fillmore streets on Bethlehem's South Side.
Bethlehem Police discovered Lawrence had a suspended driver’s license. He then allegedly admitted to having heroin and marijuana. Police also found two cell phones and more than $700 in cash, the records say.
Police spotted a black plastic baggie in the car’s center console area containing pieces of torn magazine paper, a smaller clear plastic baggie and a rolled piece of aluminum foil – items “all consistent with narcotics packaging,” the records say.
Police say they found heroin and marijuana in the black plastic baggie, as well as a marijuana cigarette on the driver’s door.
Police also discovered a felony warrant for Lawrence has been issued out of Allentown and that he has charges pending in Jim Thorpe for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Lawrence, of 2925 Westminster Road, was charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal use, possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia and driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked.
He was arraigned Monday night by on-duty District Judge Diane Marakovits of Northampton and committed to Northampton County Prison after failing to post $20,000 bail.
