By Bonnie Culverhouse

Minden Police have arrested a south Webster Parish man on drugs and weapons violations.

DeMarques Deon Thomas, 26, of the 700 block of Amos Cutoff Rd., Doyline, is charged with possession of Ecstasy and illegal carrying of weapons in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.

Chief Jared McIver said Thomas was spotted parked on the wrong side of East Street with the vehicle running, just after midnight March 26.

Officers were already in the area, looking for possible suspects and witnesses of a shooting that occurred at Ewell Park about one-half mile from where the vehicle was located.

“Thomas was seen using a flashlight and looking on the side of the road for something in the grass,” McIver said. “As officers approached the vehicle, they observed 2 rifles laying on the passenger seat and a loaded pistol magazine in the driver’s side door.”

Thomas reportedly told officers he was at the shooting when it occurred but had nothing to do with it.

“Officers began searching the grassy area where Thomas had been looking and located a small blue container with a yellow cap that contained 2 Ecstasy pills,” said the chief. “He was arrested and brought to an interview room at the PD. He admitted the pills belonged to him. At this point, I cannot confirm whether he had anything to do with the shooting.”

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.