WEST EARL TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT

157 W. Metzler Road

Brownstown, PA 17508

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Possession With Intent to Deliver

West Earl Township, Pa – An Ephrata woman was arrested and charged during a motor vehicle stop for possession with intent to deliver marijuana.

September 12, 2020 at approximately 9:12PM, Officer Justin Cruce observed a dark colored sedan commit a red light violation at the intersection of N. State St (Route 772) and the 222 North Brownstown exit-ramp. Officer Cruce conducted a traffic stop of vehicle, which was identified as a maroon Ford Fusion, in the 4300 block of Oregon Pike.

Officer Cruce immediately detected the strong odor of unburnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle, as he made contact with the driver, identified as Pedro Mendez, (56YOA) of Ephrata PA. The vehicle was also occupied by a passenger who was identified as Bristilia Mendez, (33YOA) of Ephrata PA. Officer Cruce conducted a search of the vehicle, and located a backpack belonging to Bristilia Mendez. A search of the backpack discovered 103 grams of marijuana inside that was packaged in eighteen separate containers.

Bristilia Mendez was placed under arrest and transported to West Earl Township PD’s station for processing. Bristilia was also found in possession of over $2,500 dollars in different denominations. Bristilia was charged with PWID (F), Possession of Controlled substance (M), and possession of drug paraphernalia (M).

The public and media are reminded that all criminal charges are merely accusations and all subjects are innocent until proven guilty.

Jordan Byrnes, Public Information Officer