Crime & Safety

Two Men Arrested in Connection with Prescription Drug Fraud

NMPD said the men were attempting to obtain oxycodone

New Milford police were called to the CVS at 880 River Road on Wednesday afternoon by a pharmacist who said an unknown person was attempting to fill a fraudulent prescription. 

Sgt. Kevin Kiene and Officer Darrell Marshall responded to the CVS and discovered that the man, described as walking with a limp, had left the store after dropping off the prescription, according to police.

Marshall was checking surveillance footage when a CVS employee noticed the man had returned to the store and was talking to the pharmacist. Police said Officer Marshall then placed the man, Nicholas Powell, 28, of Harrison, under arrest. 

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The NMPD said that Powell's cast and limp were fake "in order for the suspect to appear injured."

Officer Scott Petrie arrested a second man in the CVS parking lot, Michael Vena, 32 of Kearney. Police said his name appeared on the fraudulent prescription which was written for oxycodone.

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Both Powell and Vena were taken to New Milford Police Headquarters where they were both charged with prescription fraud, according to the NMPD. 

Bail was set by New Milford Municipal Judge Kevin Kelly at $7,500 with no 10 percent option.

Both men were taken to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of bail.


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