By Bonnie Culverhouse
Having no license plate on a vehicle led to the arrest of the driver’s passenger on drug charges.
Melinda Patton, 34, of the 1300 block of Sheppard St., was arrested by Minden Police Saturday, July 2 for possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, possession of oxycodone with intent to distribute and four active bench warrants.
Chief Steve Cropper said Ofc. Chris Cayer was patrolling the Shreveport Road area Saturday night and observed a black Dodge Ram leaving a fried chicken restaurant.
“As he approached, the officer noted there was no license plate on the vehicle, so he initiated a traffic stop,” Cropper said. “The male driver of the vehicle admitted his truck was a ‘work in progress’ and he had just gotten it running.”
As additional officers arrived on scene, Cayer reportedly asked the driver to step out of the car. A female passenger was identified as Melinda Patton. Dispatch reportedly said Patton had four active warrants through Minden Police Department.
“Off. Jared McIver had her exit the vehicle and placed her into custody,” said the chief. “The driver gave consent to search the vehicle and Ofc. Cayer located a baggie containing pills, suspected marijuana, suspected crack cocaine and suspected methamphetamine. Patton stated that all of the controlled dangerous substances were hers.”
Patton was booked on the above charges. The pills were identified as T194 oxycodone, .8 grams of methamphetamine, .6 grams of crack cocaine and 4.6 grams of marijuana.
Patton was transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
To report an issue or typo with this article – CLICK HERE
