RIVERDALE -- A 21-year-old Riverdale man stole his friend's car so he could get to a court appearance in Paterson, police said.

Around 10 a.m. Friday, officers responded to a Newberry Place home after a resident reported that his 2011 Ford Fusion was missing from the driveway, Lt. James Macintosh said.

The owner told police he believed his friend, Jorge Ramirez-Sierra, was the car thief because since he'd "stated multiple times the evening before that he did not know how he was going to get" to the courthouse, Macintosh said.

While police were talking with the car's owner, Ramirez-Sierra called to say he was heading back with the vehicle. When he arrived, police took him into custody, Macintosh said.

Officers found Ramirez-Sierra in possession of a hypodermic needle, a crack pipe, empty wax bags and other drug paraphernalia, along with an open airplane bottle of Fireball whiskey, the lieutenant said.

Police also determined that Ramirez-Sierra's driver's license was suspended, Macintosh said.

He was charged with unlawful taking of a means of conveyance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a hypodermic needle, driving while suspended and having an opening container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, the lieutenant said.

Ramirez-Sierra was released pending an April 15 appearance at Morris County Central Judicial Processing, Macintosh said.

In early March, Ramirez-Sierra was reportedly nabbed by Wayne police on drug charges following a traffic stop on Route 23, NorthJersey.com reported.

Officers discovered he was in possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of hypodermic needles and being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance, the report says.

Upon being released by Wayne police, Ramirez-Sierra was turned over to the custody of Paterson police to resolve a $1,433 outstanding warrant, the report says.

Kimberly Redmond may be reached at kredmond@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @kr0618. Find NJ.com on Facebook.