According to a report in the Asbury Park Press, Spring Lake Heights Councilman Richard Merriken have been dismissed due to an improper search of his vehicle by Neptune City police.

From the report: “In a surprise turn of events in Municipal Court, drug paraphernalia possession charges against Spring Lake Heights Councilman Robert T. Merriken Sr. have been dismissed, after the prosecutor announced that borough police had improperly searched his vehicle.”

Merriken was arrested twice – first in Neptune City (the dropped charges) in April, and subsequently announced that he would resign, only to rescind his decision – and again in Brielle in August.

The report says, “nevertheless, Merriken’s legal troubles are not over. He was last arrested in Brielle on Aug. 8 – during a traffic stop there – and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia.  That case was transferred to state Superior Court in Freehold and a pre-indictment conference is scheduled for Oct. 11, according to court records.”