MOUNT OLIVE TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) – Two Delaware men were charged after an officer spotted a suspicious vehicle parked in front of the Budd Lake Laundromat, and the suspects allegedly had burglary tools and heroin.
At 3:08 a.m. on Saturday, a township officer was on patrol in the area of Route 46, near Plaza 141, when he observed a small black 4 door sedan parked near the front door of the Budd Lake Laundromat, police said.
The officer recognized the vehicle to be the one allegedly involved in a previous theft at the laundromat approximately 2 weeks ago and approximately the same time, police said.
The officer made contact with the driver who identified himself as James Frazier Gowens, 48, of Felton, DE and the passenger identified himself as David Paitsel of Magnolia, DE. It was determined that Paitsel had several warrants for his arrest, so he was placed in handcuffs and secured in the police vehicle, police said.
A search of the motor vehicle was conducted and located inside were tools commonly used to commit burglaries, a syringe and suspected glassine folds of heroin, police said.
Gowens was placed under arrest and both parties were transported to headquarters for processing. At headquarters, Paitsel advised that his name was actually Billy Joe Paitsel, police said.
Paitsel was charged with possession of heroin, criminal attempt of theft, possession of burglar tools, hindering his own apprehension. He was additionally charged with theft of movable property and another count of possession of burglar tools, from the previous incident which occurred on December 31, 2016.
Gowens was charged with possession of heroin, criminal attempt of theft, possession of burglar tools, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of syringes.
Paitsel and Gowens were lodged in Morris County Correctional Facility.
Assisting with the investigation was the Morris County Sheriff Officers K-9 unit.
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By: Jay Edwards
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