By Staff
NILES - On Wednesday, Aug. 17, at approximately 12:12 a.m., a Niles City Police officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for defective equipment at the intersection of 13th and Merrifield streets in Niles, the police report stated.
As the officer approached the vehicle he noticed the passenger of the vehicle was allegedly attempting to hide something. Upon making contact with the occupants of the vehicle, the front seat passenger was identified as Marcel Deshan Cutler, 26, and the driver was identified as Michael Jaye Underwood II, 27, both of Niles, according to the report.
After removing Cutler from the vehicle the police officers located a plastic baggie containing 14 individually wrapped rocks of crack cocaine. The cocaine has an approximate street value of $280, the report said.
During the search of the vehicle the officer also located a small plastic baggie containing marijuana, according to the report.
Both Underwood and Cutler were found to be on probation.
Underwood II, was arrested for possession of crack with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana, driving while license suspended, second offense and probation violation, according to the report.
Cutler, was arrested for possession of crack cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana and probation violation, the report said.
As police officers continued their investigation they learned Cutler had additional crack cocaine at his residence and have made arrangements to have it removed, the report said.
Officers, along with detectives from the Niles City Police Department, went to Cutler's residence, 1215 N. Sixth St., in Niles, where a search revealed equipment used for processing crack cocaine, according to the report.
When no crack cocaine was located, the investigation led officers to a residence in the 1000 block of North Eighth Street, in Niles, where after a search was conducted, approximately 84.5 grams of crack cocaine was located, the report stated.
The street value of the crack cocaine was an estimated $3,600, according to the report.
Both Underwood II and Cutler, were arraigned in Niles Fifth District Court on Wednesday, Aug. 17, the report said.
Michael Jaye Underwood II, was arraigned on charges of possession of crack cocaine less than 25 grams, second offense; possession of marijuana, second offense; driving while license suspended, second/subsequent offense and probation violation. He was remanded to the Berrien County Jail in lieu of $8,000 bond.
Marcel Deshan Cutler, was arraigned on charges of possession of crack cocaine between 50 and 225 grams, second offense; possession of marijuana, second offense and probation violation.
Cutler was remanded to the Berrien County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bond.