Cops charge man with drug possession

Wednesday, May 13, 2009
By MICHAELANGELO CONTE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

A Jersey City criminal assaulted police Monday before being arrested on charges that included drug possession with intent to distribute within 500 feet of the park, officials said.

Lenner Sarratt, 35, of Rutgers Avenue, was arrested at 3:53 p.m. at Rutgers and McAdoo avenues, near Triangle Park, where park benches were removed to help prevent crime following the April 22 murder of 17-year-old Pedro Roman Jr.

Officers on patrol in the area heard a man yell "Police!" and saw Sarratt trying to hand an object to a man in exchange for money, reports said. Sarratt put the object back in his pocket and began walking, but when cops asked what he had, Sarratt said, "Nothing."

Sarratt swung his arms wildly when an officer tried to reach for what was in his pocket and he pushed the officer, triggering a scuffle, reports said.

Sarratt fell and kicked his legs as he continued to strike at the officer but was arrested with help from backup, reports said. When the dust settled, police found 20 vials of suspected cocaine on Sarratt, reports said.

Police Chief Tom Comey said that the benches have been temporarily removed to ensure the park is used by residents and not "those who have a total disregard for the community."

Comey said police are also enforcing a "no tolerance zone" at the park and have issued summonses and made arrests for quality-of-life violations. He said the benches will be replaced in a short time.

Sarratt was in prison from Oct. 8, 2004 to April 19, 2005 and May 11, 2006 to Sept. 1, 2007 on convictions for drug possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 of school property and two counts of drug possession within 500 feet of public housing, state corrections officials said. He also committed a number of violations of parole, officials said.

Clifton resident Tashawn Holmes, 18, has been charged with murdering Roman.