A routine traffic stop on Interstate 390 turned into a drug, forgery, and fugitive arrest after troopers say a vehicle displayed a fake temporary permit.
State Police arrested Brian A. Lopez, 29, of Rochester, on February 11 following the stop in the town of Greece.
A trooper assigned to SP Rochester spotted a 2010 Infiniti traveling south on State Route 390 around 8:53 a.m. without a front or rear license plate. The vehicle displayed what appeared to be a temporary in-transit permit on the rear window.
Troopers initiated a stop and determined the temporary registration was fraudulent. A records check showed the vehicle had no valid registration on file.
Investigators also discovered Lopez had multiple outstanding warrants from the State of New Mexico. Authorities there authorized full extradition for a conditional release violation related to dangerous drugs.
Troopers took Lopez into custody without incident.
During an inventory search before impounding the vehicle, troopers seized about 1.9 grams of fentanyl packaged in multiple small bags, about 28 grams of suspected Dexmethylphenidate Hydrochloride Extended Release pills, and about 151.2 grams of cannabis products, including suspected THC concentrate. Troopers also recovered a fraudulent New York State temporary registration document.
The fentanyl tested positive in a field test. Troopers submitted the fentanyl and suspected prescription stimulant to the State Police Forensic Investigation Center for lab analysis.
Police charged Lopez with Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the second degree, a class D felony, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the seventh degree, Fugitive from Justice, and Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Non-Original Container. Troopers also cited him for multiple Vehicle and Traffic Law violations, including Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle, Operating Without Insurance, and Improper Plates.
Troopers processed Lopez at SP Rochester, issued Uniform Traffic Tickets and an Appearance Ticket, and transported him to the Monroe County Jail for CAP arraignment. New Mexico officials confirmed they will extradite Lopez on the outstanding warrants.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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