A routine patrol on Miller Street turned eventful for Officer O’Connor on March 16, 2024, when he observed a gray Kia failing to signal 100 feet prior to a stop sign at the intersection of Miller and Bayou. The vehicle turned left onto Bayou and then attempted to turn right onto Goodwill, activating the right turn signal during the turn.
Upon initiating a traffic stop, Officer O’Connor approached the driver and requested the driver’s license, proof of insurance, and registration. The driver, identified as Nicholas Jones, 35, stated he did not have his driver’s license and claimed the vehicle was not his. Jones provided his name and date of birth but was unable to produce a license. When asked about the presence of weapons or illegal drugs in the vehicle, Jones denied having any.
Officers Sparks and Thompson arrived on the scene, and Officer O’Connor requested dispatch to check for active warrants on Jones through Minden, Webster, Bossier, and Shreveport. He also requested information on Jones’s driver’s license status.
During the interaction, Officer Sparks spoke with Jones, who then voluntarily surrendered a small amount of natural marijuana. Subsequently, Officer Sparks and Officer Thompson conducted a search of the vehicle and found a silver handgun under the driver’s seat. As Officer Sparks stood up, Jones fled from the scene into the parking lot of an adjacent storage building.
After a brief pursuit, officers apprehended Jones and took him into custody. Jones was charged with possession of a schedule I substance (natural marijuana) under 14 grams, possession of a schedule II substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, resisting an officer, driving with a suspended driver’s license, no turn signal, expired inspection sticker, and being a fugitive from Bossier Parish.