At around 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8, an officer spotted a green Volkswagen Golf driving on Middlesex Road without a front license plate, and a rear license plate that was found to be not on file with the DMV, according to police.
The car was stopped and the driver, identified as 47-year-old Vito Badalamenti of Bridgeport, initially told the officer that it was his friend's car, police said. He did not have any paperwork. He later told police that he was in the process of purchasing the car from the owner, police said.
Police said that Badalamenti was found to have a past history of not appearing in court, and was placed under arrest for motor vehicle charges. While officers were searching him, two small white rocks were found in his pocket that were later determined to be crack cocaine, police said.
Badalamenti was charged with failure to display a marker plate, improper use of a marker plate and possession of narcotics. He was released on a $2,500 bond and will appear in court on Oct. 18.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Bridgeport and receive free news updates.