Troopers seized an AR-15 rifle, two 9mm handguns, a high-capacity magazine, hollow point ammunition, $20,000 worth of marijuana, $2,500 worth of THC wax, $30,000 worth of fentanyl, $5,000 worth of xanax pills, $8,000 worth of oxycontin pills, $6,031 cash, and fraudulent medical marijuana labels.
Mount Laurel, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Last week, Maryland State Police Trooper First Class Jon Stoltzfus and Senior Trooper Michael Kemp visited New Jersey State Police Troop “D” Moorestown Station to thank NJSP troopers for arresting the suspect responsible for injuring TFC Stoltzfus during a motor vehicle pursuit in Maryland. Despite sustaining a leg injury, TFC Stolzfus made the trip to personally thank the Jersey troopers for their efforts during the arrest and subsequent investigation
On June 15, Moorestown Station troopers were alerted by dispatch of a box truck towing a passenger vehicle that was being pursued by Maryland State Troopers northbound on the New Jersey Turnpike. The driver of the vehicle, Benjamin Rivard, 26, of Orlando, FL, was wanted in connection to a drug investigation and assault on a Maryland State Trooper.
Within minutes, troopers located the vehicle traveling northbound near milepost 22.5. Using lights and sirens, troopers attempted to stop the vehicle, but Rivard refused to stop and continued driving erratically. In the area of milepost 38.4, troopers disabled the vehicle and Rivard fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, troopers located and arrested Rivard in a nearby business complex on Briggs Road in Mount Laurel Township, Burlington County.
Benjamin Rivard was charged with eluding and resisting arrest. He was lodged at the Burlington County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing.
During the ongoing investigation, troopers determined that Rivard had been in possession of multiple firearms and narcotics. On June 17, troopers executed a search warrant on the box truck and passenger vehicle. As a result, troopers seized an AR-15 rifle, two 9mm handguns, a high-capacity magazine, hollow point ammunition, $20,000 worth of marijuana, $2,500 worth of THC wax, $30,000 worth of fentanyl, $5,000 worth of xanax pills, $8,000 worth of oxycontin pills, $6,031 cash, and fraudulent medical marijuana labels.
Benjamin Rivard was also charged with possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, possession of a weapon during a CDS offense, unlawful possession of a weapon, certain person not permitted to possess a firearm, possession of hollow point ammunition, possession of extended magazine, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, possession of CDS, possession of drug paraphernalia, receiving stolen property, and forgery.
Charges are mere accusations, and the accused is considered innocent until proven guilty.
An internet search has revealed that this is not the first time Mr. Rivard from Orlando, FL has been in trouble with the law. This is from a 2017 Orange County Sheriff’s Office press release posted on their website.