An Ocean County man faces two drug charges and a weapons offense after a traffic stop by a Lakehurst patrolman working a "Click It or Ticket" detail.

Officer Jeffrey Emmons stopped Patrick Morgan, 21, of Little Egg Harbor on Saturday, May 26, after he was spotted operating a cell phone while driving at about 7:30 p.m., said Chief of Police Eric Higgins. 

"An on scene investigation lead to Officer Emmons recovering a quantity of marijuana, a pipe used to smoke marijuana, and a set of brass knuckles from the suspect's vehicle," Higgins said.

Emmons, who was assisted at the scene by Higgins and Officer Robert Seiden, arrested Morgan and charged him with possession of marijuana, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia, using a cell phone while driving, and failure to exhibit documents, Higgins said.

Morgan was processed at Lakehurst police headquarters and released on his own recognizance, the chief said. 

Other police activity in the borough include:

Friday, May 25

A Sussex County man was charged with driving under the influence after a witness reported to police that he nearly struck a parked car at La Bove Grande.

Officer Iain James was dispatched to the banquet hall located on the Eisenhower Circle for a vehicle complaint at about 10:30 p.m., Higgins said. 

"Upon arrival, he was met by a delivery person who advised Officer James that a vehicle had entered the parking lot and almost struck his parked delivery truck," the chief said. 

The vehicle — still running — was still in the parking lot, occupied by its driver. An investigation completed on the scene found that the driver, 20-year-old Evan Bischoff of Hopatcong, allegedly was under the influence of alcohol, Higgins said.

"Officer James recovered several open alcoholic beverage containers in the vehicle," the chief said. 

Bischoof was charged with DUI, underage possession of alcoholic beverages, possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle, consumption of alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle, and reckless driving, according to Higgins. He processed at police headquarters and released with municipal court summonses.

Saturday, May 26

What started as a stop for traffic offenses ended in drug and DUI charges for a Burlington man. 

Andrew Jarecha, 25, was stopped by Officer Jeffrey Emmons at about 3 a.m. for speeding and failure to maintain lane.

An investigation found that Jarecha allegedly was "operating under the influence and was in possession of marijuana," Higgins said. 

Police charged Jarecha with DUI, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of drugs in a motor vehicle, speeding, failure to maintain lane, and reckless driving, according to the chief. 

Jarecha was processed at police headquarters and released pending a municipal court appearance, Higgins said. 

The above charges are not an indication of guilt.