The Alternative Press

On 11/2/12 at 12:05a.m., Newton Police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle within the parking lot of Swartswood Gardens Apartments.

Patrols located and stopped the vehicle in question within the lot of the complex.  Based on the officer’s  observations, a K9 from the Sussex County Sheriff’s Department was requested and responded.  As a result, a K-9 “sniff” was conducted and alerted to the presence of a controlled dangerous substance within the vehicle.

 A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed the operator, Thomas Bacolas, age 26 of Marlene Lane, Newton was in possession of 73 bags of heroin, 3 hypodermic syringes and assorted prescription medications and drug paraphernalia.     

Bacolas was arrested, processed and released after being charged with the following offenses:

N.J.S. 2C:36-6A   -   Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe (D.P. Offense)

N.J.S. 2C:36-2      -  Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (D.P. Offense)

N.J.S. 2C:35-10.5E(1)  - Possession of a Prescription Legend Drug w/o a Prescription (D. P. Offense)

N.J.S. 2C:35-10.5E(2)   - Possession of a Prescription Legend Drug  w/o a Prescription (4^th Degree)

 N.J.S. 2C:35-10a(1)      - Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (3^rd Degree) 3 Counts

Investigating Officers:

Ptl. Steve VanNieuwland, Ptl. Scott King, Ptl. Dan Smith of the Newton Police Department.

Officer Kiernan McMorrow and his K9 “Atlas” of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Department.