Rye police booked a New York City resident for allegedly driving a stolen car and also possessing an illegal amount of marijuana last week.
While patrolling near Boston Post Road and High Street at 2:07 p.m. on Friday, Rye officers received a tip from the Westchester County Real Time Crime Unit about a stolen black Toyota Corolla. The vehicle, reported stolen to the NYPD on Dec. 3, was believed to be traveling in the area.
After locating the vehicle getting onto I-95 South near Exit 18 officers initiated a traffic stop. Jason Almonte, 41, complied and pulled over onto the right shoulder of I-95, north of Exit 18 (Mamaroneck Avenue).
Police arrested Almonte, who was traveling alone, after confirming the vehicle was reported stolen. They also discovered 174 grams, or 6.1 ounces, of marijuana while searching the Corolla.
Adults in New York state are legally allowed to carry up to three ounces of cannabis and up to 24 grams of concentrated cannabis like vaporization oil or edibles – meaning Almonte possessed more than three ounces over the legal limit, according to the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.
He was charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a Class E Felony, as well as unlawful possession of cannabis.
Rye police arrested a 21-year-old from Long Island last month for similar charges of vehicle theft and illegal substance possession, as well as trespassing on private property, The Record reported.
Almonte was released without bail. He is scheduled to appear in Rye City Court again on Christmas Eve at 9 a.m.