City man facing drug, pursuit charges

MIDDLETOWN — A man arrested Sunday is accused of burning incense to cover the odor of marijuana and engaging police in a pursuit.

John Heckstall II, 33, of Julia Terrace, was charged with possession of marijuana, three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, engaging police in a pursuit, disobeying the signal of an officer, reckless driving and failure to obey traffic control signal, police said.

Police reportedly observed Heckstall fail to stop at a blinking red traffic control sign twice and traveling at a high rate of speed. The officers then activated their emergency lights and sirens, but he allegedly attempted to elude the officers by increasing his speed and making multiple turns.

Heckstall eventually pulled over. He claimed he was speeding because there was “some sort of emergency” involving his brother but could not provide further information, police said.

An officer then allegedly smelled marijuana emanating from the vehicle and reportedly noticed Heckstall was burning incense, which is sometimes used to cover up an odor. Police said they then conducted a search of the vehicle and found 63.95 grams of marijuana, a copper grinder, an electronic scale and a bag of 400 tiny elastic bags.

Heckstall was subsequently placed under arrest and allegedly admitted to burning incense to cover the odor of marijuana, speeding and engaging police in a pursuit.

He was held in lieu of $100,000 bail and issued a court date of Oct. 23.