Utica

Disorderly conduct arrests stem from synthetic drug abuse

By Brad D. Bates
C & G Staff Writer

UTICA — Utica police were dispatched to Grant Park July 2 to investigate a report of two men who “were possibly stoned or intoxicated (and) using vulgar language.”

Upon arrival, police found two men sitting on a bench in the park and noticed one man attempt to conceal something in his pocket.

When officers asked the man to remove his hand from his pocket, he became belligerent and had difficulty standing when instructed to stand up.

The suspect, a 22-year-old Macomb Township man, was then handcuffed and placed near the officer’s car for safety.

A “marijuana pipe with residue” was found in the suspect’s pocket. At this point, the suspect was “argumentative and refused to comply,” and he was slurring his speech while refusing to identify himself or answer questions.

The second suspect, also a 22-year-old Macomb Township man, told police that they had been in the park smoking K2, a synthetic drug that was made illegal with a state law signed June 19.

Both suspects were placed under arrest for possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct after witnesses said the duo had been yelling vulgar comments and intimidating people walking in the park.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Brad D. Bates at bbates@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1029.