A man walking “suspiciously” back and forth on Bergenline Avenue was approached by police who investigated his behavior and wound up arresting him for allegedly possessing a machete and 25 bags of marijuana, police said last week.
According to Commander of the Detective Bureau Lt. Frank Cannella, plain-clothed officers Frank Ponce and Robert Scuvieri were patrolling Bergenline Avenue and 67th Street at 9:45 p.m. last Tuesday when they noticed a man walking up and down the block. They approached the individual, identifying themselves as police officers, and asked him if he was okay, said Cannella.
“This is [allegedly] not the first time Mr. Trujillo was involved in a machete attack.” – Frank Cannella
________
The police officers asked him to elaborate, and he allegedly patted his waistband and said, “I have something for them.”
The officers frisked Leissam Trujillo, 26, of North Bergen, and discovered a handle protruding from his waistband. Trujillo allegedly had a 17-inch machete in his pants.
Cannella said that Trujillo was known to police for at least one other incident.
Cash and bags
After police confiscated the machete, Trujillo was placed under arrest. When police continued to search his person they found a clear plastic bag containing 12 different individually packaged clear plastic bags, allegedly containing marijuana, they said.
“Here we have a gentleman who is [allegedly] selling drugs and walking up and down the street with a machete in his pants acting suspiciously,” said Cannella.
Along with the alleged drugs, $185 of cash was seized.
After transporting Trujillo to headquarters, police learned that Clinton Township, N.J. had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database also brought a hit from the Bucks County Sheriffs Office of Pennsylvania, Cannella said.
Faces numerous charges
Trujillo was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), possession of drug paraphernalia, manufacturing and distributing CDS, possession of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school, possession within 500 feet of a park, possession within 500 feet of a public housing complex, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
His bail was set at $30,000 with no 10 percent option.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.