Pair Busted for Taking Crack to Police Station

MILFORD, Conn. – A man and woman who tried to bail out a friend were arrested after police said they brought a crack pipe and drugs to the police station.

Robert Amato, 42, of New Haven, and Valerie Lawler, 20, of Wallingford, were arrested by Milford (search) police at about 1:15 a.m. Monday.

Police said Amato drove Lawler to the Milford police station to bail out her friend, but when Lawler opened her car door to get out a crack pipe fell onto the ground, in front of a police officer.

The officer then investigated further and found a plastic bag of cocaine in the center console of the vehicle, police said.

Lawler was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and conspiracy and was held in lieu of $1,000 bail following arraignment Monday in Superior Court.

Amato, who was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine and disorderly conduct, was held in lieu of $6,000 bail.

Milford police spokesman Officer Vaughan Dumas said Amato and Lawler weren't even at the right police station.

The friend had been arrested by Milford police on an outstanding warrant from New Haven and was quickly turned over to New Haven authorities, Dumas said.