Indiana man arrested after police dog finds drugs during traffic stop

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - An Indiana man was arrested after a police dog detected drugs in his vehicle during a routine traffic stop.

The incident occurred at about 11 p.m. Saturday when Trooper Randel Miller of the Indiana State Police stopped a 2002 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck on Buckeye Street in North Vernon for a traffic violation.

During the course of the traffic stop, Miller became suspicious of possible drug activity and requested assistance from a police dog.

A short time later, Officer Andrew Richmond from North Vernon Police Department arrived with his canine partner, Heros.

During his walk around the vehicle, Heros alerted on a backpack in the bed of the pickup truck.  A subsequent search of the backpack revealed methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The truck’s driver, Thirld W. Ross, 22, of North Vernon, was arrested and transported to Jennings County Jail where he is facing charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a syringe and identity deception, all of which are Class D felonies.

Also, Ross is facing charges of possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia, which are Class A misdemeanors.

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