A Minden police officer patrolling Joel Street observed a black Chrysler 300 fail to signal a left-hand turn onto M.L.K. Boulevard, leading to a traffic stop that resulted in two arrests.
The traffic stop occurred at the corner of South Gum Street and M.L.K. Boulevard. The officer detected the odor of alcohol emanating from the vehicle upon approaching the driver, Eric Robinson, 57, of Minden. When questioned, passenger Kenneth Carter admitted to previously drinking but denied any open containers were present in the vehicle.
Robinson consented to a search of the vehicle. Backup officers arrived, and both Robinson and Carter were frisked for weapons. During the search, an open Bud Light can was found on the front passenger floorboard, and a vodka bottle was located in the driver’s side door. Additionally, a pipe commonly used for smoking crack cocaine was found in an eyeglass case in the center console. Robinson admitted the case and glasses were his but denied ownership of the pipe.
A more thorough search of Robinson revealed a small cellophane baggie with a small amount of cocaine in his coin pocket. Robinson was arrested for possession of Schedule II drugs, drug paraphernalia, and open container violations.
Dispatch informed the officer that Carter had an active bench warrant for failure to appear for arraignment. Both Robinson and Carter were taken into custody without incident, advised of their Miranda rights, and transported to the Minden Police Department for booking.