Hackensack PD

By Cecilia Levine From Daily Voice

A Hackensack couple was arrested after police found crack cocaine, imitation firearms, and drug paraphernalia inside their apartment located within 1,000 feet of a school, authorities said.

Thomas R. Eisengart, 36, and Ashley A. Melendez, 36, both of Hackensack, were taken into custody on Monday, Nov. 10, following an investigation by the Hackensack Police Department’s Crime Suppression Bureau, Detective Capt. Darrin DeWitt said in a release.

The arrests stemmed from a Superior Court–authorized search warrant executed at their First Street apartment in Hackensack, the captain said. Detectives Panagiotis Seretis, Michael Reo, and Matthew DeBonis led the search, which turned up more than a half ounce of crack cocaine “individually packaged for street-level narcotic sales,” according to the release.

Investigators also seized drug paraphernalia used for manufacturing and distribution, three imitation firearms, and an imitation AR-15 semi-automatic rifle allegedly used in a prior aggravated assault that was reported on Sunday, Nov. 2, police said.

Eisengart was charged with three counts of possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, one count of certain persons not to have weapons or ammunition, possession of narcotics with intent to distribute, possession of narcotics with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, among other offenses.

Melendez was charged with one count of distribution of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, as well as additional drug-related offenses.

Police said three juveniles inside the apartment were relocated with family members.

Eisengart and Melendez were processed and taken to the Bergen County Jail pending their first court appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, police said.