"Barenaked Ladies" singer/guitarist
By Jeremy Ryan
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 2:28 p.m.
Read more: Local, Crime
FAYETTEVILLE, ONONDAGA COUNTY -- The Manlius Police Department reports that they have arrested three people in connection with an alleged drug incident in the early hours of Friday, July 11 in the Village of Fayetteville.
Police tell Action News that 38-year-old Steven Page of Toronto, Canada has been charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony. Also, 25-year-old Stephanie M. Ford of 311 East Genesee Street has been charged with the same felony in addition to unlawful possession of marijuana. Police tell us that during the arrest Ford identified Page as a singer and guitarist in the rock group "Barenaked Ladies", which Page subsequently confirmed.
Police tell us that officers were patrolling the neighborhood of 311 East Genesee Street when they spotted a car that was parked across a driveway with the door open. Police stopped and checked the vehicle, which was unoccupied. The officers then checked the house and surrounding neighborhood to find the owner and see if there was any problem. Police checking the apartment building at 311 Genesee Street saw a man and a woman through a glass door sitting at a kitchen table. The officers noticed something suspicious-looking on the table, and the people inside quickly covered the table with a towel when they saw police at the door. Police questioned the pair about the car outside. They also tested the substance under the towel and concluded it was cocaine.
Action News spoke on the phone with Terry McBride, manager of the Barenaked Ladies. He says, “We’re confident Steven will be exonerated of the charges. In the meantime it’s business as usual.”
A third individual, 27-year-old Christine M. Benedicto of 311 East Genesee Street, was also arrested in connection with the incident and charged with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.
Page, Ford and Benedicto were arraigned and released after posting bail. All three are due back in Village of Fayetteville justice court on July 17.
