Traffic Stop in Syracuse Leads to Passenger Being Arrested on Drug Charges

On Friday (December 9), at approximately 11 a.m., State Police stopped a vehicle on Van Rennselaer Street in the city of Syracuse for a traffic violation.

Troopers immediately observed heroin paraphernalia within the vehicle, according to the police report.

It was determined that the operator, Thomas J. Knopp Jr., of Cherry Street, Phoenix, was operating with a revoked license.

Knopp was processed at the scene and released to a third party.

Further investigation revealed additional heroin and hypodermic needles hidden inside the vehicle.

It was determined that the heroin and hypodermic needles located all belonged to the front seat passenger, 29-year-old, Joshua Baez-Arnold of 42 Senior Ave., Fulton.

When attempting to confirm his identify, Baez-Arnold provided Troopers with two false identities.

He was then taken into custody and transported to SP North Syracuse where he was charged with 2 counts of Criminal Impersonation in the 2nd degree, 1 count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree and Possession of a Hypodermic Instrument, all class “A” misdemeanors.

Information was obtained that Baez-Arnold had multiple outstanding warrants in Oswego County and was transported to the Onondaga County Justice Center to be held pending arraignment.

While being processed at the Justice Center, sheriff deputies located crack cocaine secreted within a body cavity, police said.

Baez-Arnold was additionally charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 5th degree, and Promoting Prison Contraband in the 1st degree, both class “D” felonies.

He was held pending arraignment in the city of Syracuse.

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