A suspect was arrested after over four pounds of marijuana was found in a vehicle during a routine patrol check of the Cherry Road parking lot located near Winthrop University campus on Oct. 5.
According to the R/O, around 1:30 a.m. while conducting a patrol check on Cherry Road, he observed a vehicle exiting Cherry Road parking lot with the headlights turned off. To get the driver’s attention to activate their headlights, the R/O followed the vehicle onto Cherry Road, however, the driver’s headlights were still turned off. The R/O immediately initiated blue lights to conduct a traffic stop.
While making contact with the driver of the vehicle, identified as a Winthrop Affiliate, the driver apologizes to the R/O for not having a campus parking pass. As the R/O advised the driver that the initial traffic stop was due to his headlight not being activated, there was a noticeable smell of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Also, inside the vehicle, the R/O noticed a female passenger identified as a Winthrop Affiliate.
When asked about the smell, the driver stated to the R/O that the reason for the smell was because he “smoked a blunt.” To further identify the source of the smell, the driver was instructed by the R/O to step out of the vehicle to perform a probable cause search.
During the search, the R/O spotted a small black and gray duffle bag in the vehicle’s front passenger floorboard. Located inside the duffel bag were six large bags of marijuana containing approximately 1,925.7 grams along with a small digital scale.
The driver was placed under arrest and was issued warrants for PWID marijuana (possession with intent to distribute marijuana) and PWID proximity (possession with intent to distribute within proximity of a school) and driving without lights (driving without light during rain). Due to the actions of both parties (the driver and passenger), the case will be referred to the Dean of Students.
Traffic stop for Suspended License
On Oct. 5, a driver was cited for an offense of driving with a suspended license.
According to the Reporting Officer R/O, he observed the driver traveling northbound near Cherry Road and conducted a tag scan using NCIC which showed the vehicle as suspended due to cancellation of insurance. The R/O immediately initiated blue lights to conduct a traffic stop.
When approaching the vehicle, the R/O asked the driver, identified as Alvin Simmons, 58, for his driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance. The R/O verified that Simmons’s insurance was valid, but his driver’s license was suspended with no prior offenses of DUS (driving under suspension).
The R/O issued the driver a citation for DUS (driving under suspension) not DUI related and a verbal warning. The vehicle was picked up by the driver’s relative and the R/O cleared the scene.
