Forest Hills Police Make Two Drug-Related Arrests

Forest Hills police charged two people with drug-related offenses after traffic stops along Ardmore Boulevard in the last two weeks.

Forest Hills police filed charges of prohibited acts—possession, prohibited acts—possession of drug paraphernalia, careless driving, driving within a single lane of traffic, rear lights required and driving with a suspended license against Michael P. King, 30, of Turtle Creek after a traffic stop Oct. 2.

According to a police report, a Forest Hills officer observed a silver Dodge sedan failing to stay within a single lane of traffic in the 2000 block of Ardmore Boulevard eastbound at about 12:57 a.m. One of the rear tail lights was not working.

The officer followed the car to the intersection of Route 30 and Center Street in East Pittsburgh and noted that the car swerved and drifted within a single lane of traffic. East Pittsburgh police rendered assistance in the incident.

King, the driver of the car, admitted his driver's license was under suspension for a ticket. The officer observed numerous used plastic sandwich bags around the vehicle. A pregnant female passenger, who was the registered owner of the car, was covered with a blanket and told police she was not feeling well.

Police recovered a knotted plastic sandwich bag containing crack cocaine, a digital scale covered in white residue from inside the center console. Police also recovered five plastic bags from the car.

While arresting and processing King, a vehicle drove in a careless manner in the vicinity of the traffic stop. The driver was the aunt of the female passenger with King, and East Pittsburgh police arrested her on charges of driving under the influence.

Police had both cars towed from the scene. King faces a preliminary hearing before District Judge Thomas Caulfield at 9 a.m. Oct. 24.

In the second incident, a Forest Hills officer discovered marijuana inside a vehicle after a traffic stop. The officer observed a car switch lanes near the corner of Yost and Ardmore boulevards, then come to a stop at Sumner Avenue despite a steady green light.

After the officer approached the driver, Kimisha Sanford, he detected the odor of burnt marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle. The passenger, Deatrice James, admitted there was marijuana inside the glovebox of the rental car.

A second officer recovered a knotted sandwich bag containing marijuana. Forest Hills police issued a citation to James by mail for disorderly conduct for the small amount of marijuana.

Police cited Sanford for careless driving and impeding traffic. No marijuana smell was detected on her and police deemed it safe for her to drive.

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The marijuana was destroyed at the station.