DENVILLE — A Jefferson Township man was arrested after being found unconscious behind the wheel on Franklin Road near the Route 46 traffic light, according to Denville Police.
At approximately 4:52 p.m., officers responded to a report of an unresponsive driver and located Paul Rankin Jr. slumped over the steering wheel. Officers knocked on the window to wake him. Upon making contact, they determined Rankin was under the influence of narcotics, police said.
A search of the vehicle uncovered heroin, crack cocaine, crack pipes, hypodermic needles, and other drug paraphernalia, according to the report.
Rankin was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and careless driving.
Police also discovered that Rankin had several outstanding criminal and traffic warrants from multiple jurisdictions.
He was transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility, where he remains pending a future court date.
Editors Note: The court’s rules require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
