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Lyndhurst PD: Driver Racing Into Troublesome Motel Lot Had 80 Heroin Folds, Crack, More

A Lyndhurst police sergeant whose cruiser was nearly struck by a van barreling into the parking lot of a troublesome motel found the driver carrying more than 80 folds of heroin, among other drugs, authorities said.

Ilia Cira

Ilia Cira

Photo Credit: MUGSHOT: Courtesy LYNDHURST PD

Sgt. Rick Pizzuti was pulling out of the Winslow Hotel lot while on routine patrol around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday night when a 2003 GMC van sped in, nearly hitting his car, Detective Sgt. Vincent Auteri said.

Pizzuti stopped the van, driven by Ilir Cira, 35, who initially gave the sergeant a false name when he couldn't produce a driver's license, registration or insurance, Auteri said.

Patting him down, Pizzuti found Cira carrying 40 heroin folds and a hypodermic needle, the sergeant said.

Backup Officer Steven Batista found another needle on him, as well, he said.

A search of the van turned up 42 more folds of heroin, along with five bags of crack, three more needles, six glass pipes and a joint, Auteri said.

After confirming his true identity at headquarters, police charged Cira -- most recently of Rutherford -- with various drug possession counts, as well as possession of hypodermic needles and drug paraphernalia and hindering arrest. He was sent to the Bergen County Jail to await a detention hearing.

The Rutherford Avenue motel has kept township police busy for years.

Earlier this month, they captured an ex-con who barricaded himself in a room at the Winslow after a lengthy chase.

SEE: Police Converge On Ex-Con At Lyndhurst Motel After Lengthy Pursuit

Pizzuti found another guest getting into a stolen U-Haul while carrying crystal meth outside the motel in September.

SEE: Sergeant Nabs Lyndhurst Motel Guest With Stolen U-Haul, Crystal Meth, Police Say

Two years ago, a troubled man jumped off a roof at the Winslow and later became stuck in the Passaic River mud as he tried to flee.

SEE: Lyndhurst Police Pull Troubled Hotel Guest From Passaic River

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