On Nov. 12, the Reporting Officer (R/O) was conducting patrol on Winthrop Ebenezer Avenue when he observed the subject vehicle traveling in the wrong direction on Winthrop Memorial Circle. The R/O then turned around to get behind the subject vehicle and initiated his lights. The vehicle yielded on Winthrop President’s Circle in front of Richardson Hall. The R/O then approached the subject vehicle and introduced himself, explained the reason for the stop, and asked for the subject’s credentials. While speaking with the subject, the R/O detected a very strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. The subject presented the R/O with his driver’s license and proof of insurance, and the R/O returned to his patrol vehicle.
At this time, the R/O requested an additional unit to assist with a probable cause search of the vehicle. While waiting for the additional unit, the R/O verified the subject’s credentials through NCIC. An RHPD officer then arrived to assist, and the R/O once again approached the subject vehicle. The R/O spoke with the subject and asked if he and Subject #2 had been smoking marijuana that night. The subjects replied that they had been, and when asked if they had any in the vehicle, pulled a large CVS pill bottle containing 13.1 grams of marijuana from the cener console. The R/O then asked the subjects to step out of the vehicle and conducted a search of both of them. The R/O asked if the subjects possessed any weapons or additional drugs, to which Subject #1 replied that he had a firearm in the center console and several more grams of marijuana located in his backpack.
The R/O then ordered the subjects to sit on the curb under the supervision of the assisting officer and conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. During this search, the R/O was able to locate the firearm, a Springfield Armory XD handgun. The serial number of the firearm was run through NCIC and was shown to have no record. The R/O continued the search and located a digital scale in the center console. The R/O then searched the aforementioned backpack and located a plastic bag containing 8.1 grams of marijuana, as well as an additional digital scale.
The R/O then concluded the search and spoke to the subjects, who stated that all items located in the vehicle belonged to Subject #1. A criminal history of Subject #1 was run by communications, who informed the R/O that the subject had no prior drug violations. The firearm was secured, the marijuana was placed into an evidence bag, and the subjects were allowed then to return to the vehicle. The assisting RHPD unit then cleared the scene.
At this time, the R/O issued Subject #1 a warning for driving the wrong way and a citation for possession of marijuana first offense. Both subjects were also issued a trespass warning, prohibiting them from being on Winthrop University property until Nov. 12, 2022. The handgun and credentials were then returned to Subject #1. The subjects and R/O then cleared from the scene.
