STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Dice-stamped pills apparently proved unlucky for a 30-year-old man who authorities allege rolled snake eyes in three drug-related incidents on the North Shore in addition to a 2021 burglary at a popular tavern in West Brighton.
In one of the episodes, sources allege that the suspect was caught toting cocaine and two crack pipes inside the Staten Island Courthouse in St. George.
Edward Donovan, 30, of the 300 block of Sharon Avenue in West Brighton, was most recently arrested on Dec. 14 after he allegedly exchanged a glassine envelope of heroin for cash with an undercover officer in St. George, according to the criminal complaint and police.
Officers recovered orange pills of the sleeping aid zolpidem that had a dice stamp on one side and a 10-milligram imprint on the other side of each tablet stashed in the right-front pocket of the suspect’s pants, the complaint alleges.
A few weeks earlier, cops allege they apprehended Donovan with a glass pipe that had cocaine residue in a left-front pocket of his pants on Nov. 23 around 3:20 a.m. at St. Pauls Avenue and Van Duzer Street in Tompkinsville.
Donovan was arrested on Sept. 19 in the burglary that occurred near a year earlier, on July 10, 2021, around 4 a.m. at West Cork Union Hall at 502 Henderson Ave. An investigation that included a review of surveillance video revealed that Donovan rummaged through cash registers and various secured areas, damaging a latch when he used a screwdriver to open a locked door to an office, the complaint alleges.
The suspect removed over $1,000, according to police.
Officers allege they confiscated a glass pipe containing rock cocaine from Donovan’s left hand around 4:15 p.m. on Sept. 15 inside the courthouse at 26 Central Ave.
An officer recovered two capsules of cocaine from a pocket of the suspect’s hoodie and a pipe containing rock cocaine from his back pocket, the complaint alleges.
For the drug-related incidents, Donovan faces charges that include criminal sale of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and criminal possession of a controlled substance.
In connection with the allege tavern heist, Donovan has been charged with burglary, grand larceny, petit larceny, criminal mischief, possession of burglar tools and criminal trespass.
He has been released under supervision and is due back in Criminal Court on Feb. 21, according to public records.
Attorney John Murphy III maintained his client’s innocence.
“Mr. Donovan denies these allegations,” Murphy said. “We are investigating these matters and unfortunately cannot comment any further at this time.”
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