By Pat Culverhouse

A tricked-out vehicle caught the attention of a Minden police officer and a local man is now in the parish prison looking at multiple charges as a result.

Chief of Police Jared McIver said Officer Cody James spotted a vehicle with colorful side lamps, modified exhaust and dark window tint while patrolling Lewisville Rd. Monday night. The officer activated his siren, but the vehicle made turns onto multiple neighborhood streets before coming to a halt.

A passenger in the vehicle managed to flee on foot, but the officer detained the driver, identified as 24-year-old Tadarion Smith, a resident of the 700 block of Columbia St. 

Officer James reportedly received consent to search the vehicle after he noticed a strong odor of suspected marijuana coming from inside and on the driver’s person. During his search, the officer reportedly found a half empty bottle of Tequila and a 12-pack of beer with one bottle approximately half empty. A small amount of green, leafy substance was also found on the center console.

At police headquarters, a plastic bag containing a substance consistent with marijuana was found in the back seat of the officer’s patrol unit. The back seat reportedly had been cleared during a routine pre-patrol check and prior to the suspect being placed in the patrol unit. Officers reportedly weighed the marijuana at 3.2 grams.

Smith is charged with illegal clearance lamps, modified exhaust, window tint, possession of alcoholic beverages, possession of CDS Sch. I (marijuana) and driving under suspension. He is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center under a $3,200 bond.

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.

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