Crime & Safety

Man Busted for Packing Bowl In Parking Lot: Police

Man told police he was smoking "electronic cigarette," cops say.

Downers Grove Police arrested a 50-year-old man who was spotted smoking marijuana in a shopping center parking lot, reports said.

Police said that a citizen informed an officer that a man sitting in a blue Saturn had just packed a bowl and was lighting up around 3:07 p.m. June 11, in the former Dominick’s parking lot at 42 W. Ogden Road.

The officer parked a few stalls away and walked over to the Saturn, where he saw a man, later identified as Matthew John LaForge, sitting alone in the car with the windows shut reports said.

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LaForge rolled the window down and as he did so, the officer said he could detect the odor of burnt cannabis.

According to the report, LaForge told the cop he had been smoking an electronic cigarette. Advised that someone complained about him allegedly smoking pot, the officer asked LaForge if he had any marijuana in the car.

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LaForge put his head down and reached under the car seat, pulling out a baggie of what later field tested positive for cannabis, reports said.

He was taken into custody and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of cannabis. LaForge was released with a July 23 court date.



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