Lewis
A Minden man was arrested for possession after police received a report of a driver asleep at the wheel.
Rometrius Lewis, aka “Big Shaun,” 28, of the 700 block of Abney Street, was arrested Thursday, Feb. 25, for possession of Schedule II CDS (cocaine) with intent to distribute and reckless operation.
Minden Police Chief Steve Cropper says when Officer First Class Chris Hammontree arrived on East Union Street around 2:30 a.m., he noted a vehicle crashed into a Louisiana Transit bus across from the intersection of Chrysler and East Union Streets.
“All the doors were closed and all the doors except the driver’s door were locked and the vehicle was in second gear,” Cropper said of the vehicle in question. “He reached into the vehicle and turned off the ignition for safety and woke up Lewis.”
Cropper says Lewis appeared to be incoherent, reached for the ignition and answered his phone, seemingly oblivious to the fact that an officer was there.
“When he finally got Lewis to look at him, his pupils appeared to be constricted,” he said. “Due to Lewis’ behavior and physical attributes, he believed him to be under the influence of stimulants.”
Lewis was asked to step out of the vehicle and he was patted down for officers’ safety, the chief said. Hammontree asked for consent to search the vehicle, but Lewis reportedly told him he was not comfortable allowing him to search because it didn’t belong to him.
However, Lewis did tell Hammontree his wallet was inside the center console of the vehicle. As he was retrieving the wallet, according to reports, Hammontree saw a clear plastic baggie with smaller red baggies inside between the seat and the console. The red baggies contained a powdery substance believed to be powdered cocaine.
As Hammontree collected the suspected drugs, he also discovered a $1 bill wrapped into a straw shape, and upon inspection, saw a white powder inside.
According to reports, the baggies field tested positive for cocaine and weighed approximately four grams.
Lewis was transported to police headquarters where he refused to sign paperwork or write a voluntary statement. During booking, Hammontree also learned Lewis was on probation.
He was later transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.