A 20-year-old Denville man was arrested with pot on his shirt outside of Mendham Municipal court on April 19, Mendham Township Police said.

Patrolman Matthew Ambrosi was assigned as court officer for the Mendham Municipal Court session where he observed Thomas Westerman disheveled and visibly shaking, police said.  According to police, upon speaking with Westerman, Ambrosi observed a piece of marijuana on Westerman’s shirt sleeve.

Westerman was led to the parking lot, where his vehicle was located to obtain vehicle information and Ambrosi was able to detect the odor of raw marijuana coming from inside the vehicle when the door was open, police said. 

Westerman gave permission to Ambrosi to search the interior of the vehicle, and found a small amount of controlled dangerous substances and imitation controlled dangerous substances, police said.

According to police, Morris County Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit responded to the scene utilize further narcotics detection with negative results. Westerman was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance-and possession of an imitation controlled dangerous substance as well as possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a vehicle, police said.  According to police, Westerman was given a May 2012 court date and released on his own recognizance.

For more information on this story contact Russ Crespolini at russ.crespolini@patch.com