WEST ORANGE, NJ — An 18-year-old Fanwood woman and two West Orange teenagers face charges after the woman allegedly told police the pair brandished a handgun during a fake marijuana deal, according to a Sept. 22 release from West Orange Township.
Madison McBride, 18, of Shady Lane, Fanwood, is charged with loitering to obtain a controlled substance after her allegations of being robbed at gunpoint were deemed to be unfounded by police.
McBride called West Orange police just before 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, to the area Gilbert Place. Township police attempted to investigate the young woman’s claims that she was waiting near the baseball field at Roosevelt Middle School when two men brandished a handgun and robbed her of approximately $70.
An 18-year-old New Providence man, whose car McBride drove to the township to buy the drugs, told police he was unaware of any robbery. According to the release, he told police he had remained in the car and had not seen a handgun.
McBride has since stopped cooperating with police, according to the release.
Meanwhile, the two West Orange teenagers, Daniel Farese, 19, of Grandview Avenue and Joshua Eng, 18, of Longview Street, face charges for their roles in the fake substance sale.
Farese and Eng reportedly sold the fake marijuana in a pre-arranged drug deal with McBride and two other teens. They have been charged with distribution of imitation CDS and theft by deception.
Farese was arrested and released on $5,000 bail. Eng was arrested and released on his own recognizance.
An 18-year-old Short Hills man, who also allegedly accompanied the woman to the township for the transaction, refused interviews with police.
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