By Bonnie Culverhouse
A routine traffic stop netted Minden Police a local woman on multiple drug charges and misdemeanors.
Tommi Jo Kirby, 41, of the 2700 block of Harris Rd., Minden, is charged with felony possession of methamphetamines, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a vehicle with suspended license, illegal possession of stolen things, expired inspection sticker, excessive exhaust and no license plate light.
Police Chief Jared McIver said Off. Cadyn O’Connor was patrolling the Cline Street area around 3 a.m. Friday, Sept. 8, when he observed a black Nissan Murano emitting excessive smoke. It also had no license plate light.
“The vehicle turned right onto Homer Road and the officer initiated a traffic stop,” McIver said. “The driver admitted she did not have a driver’s license with her and provided him with the name Tommi Irvy and a date of birth.”
O’Connor also noted the driver was displaying an expired inspection stick, however, she provided the officer with registration and an expired insurance car.
“When Off. O’Connor requested dispatch to check her for a valid license and any active warrants, he also requested dispatch check her Louisiana tag for insurance,” said the chief. “Dispatch did not get a return on the name. She confirmed the spelling and gave a different date of birth. She checked her wallet and located a Louisiana identification card identifying her as Tommi Kirby with the second date of birth provided. Dispatch checked the ID card and confirmed her license was suspended.”
Irby was reportedly arrested with the aid of OFC. Ben Sparks. During vehicle inventory, McIver said officers located a glass pipe, commonly referred to as a meth pipe inside a fanny pack on the front passenger seat.
Sgt. Reece Tewell located suspected methamphetamines (.9 grams) inside a wallet located in the glove compartment.
“Also located on the floor of the front passenger seat was a Louisiana license plate, which was confirmed to be stolen, along with the vehicle,” said McIver. “Officers seized the drugs, paraphernalia and stolen plate.”
During transport, Irby reportedly told OFC. Sparks the plate belonged to a gold Ford parked on their neighbor’s property on Matti Lane in Heflin. Officers said the vehicle identification number was not a match.
Irby was transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
Other items left inside the vehicle included a knife, soda, lighters, wrench, binder, wallet, blanket, shoes, trash, black backpack containing make up, phone, loose change, disposable cup with ice, refillable cup, mail, drill bits, pill bottle prescribed to the owner of the car, jackets, vehicle registration, car seat, tool bag, power strip and ants.
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.
