Police dog finds pot, weapons and cash in Ind. traffic stop

RIPLEY COUNTY, Ind. - A routine traffic stop Wednesday in Ripley County, Ind., led to three people being arrested after weapons, marijuana and cash were found in the car.

Indiana State Police Trooper Randel Miller was patrolling Interstate 74 at about 4 p.m. when he stopped a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu near the 154-mile marker for a traffic violation.

During the course of the traffic stop, Miller became suspicious of criminal activity and called for Trooper Barry Bischoff and his canine partner, Gaston, to assist.

Bischoff walked Gaston around the vehicle, and the dog alerted to the odor of drugs. A subsequent search revealed two Glock handguns, two bags of suspected marijuana and an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency.

The driver of the vehicle, 19-year-old Thomas C. Watson of Indianapolis, was charged with possession of marijuana with a prior conviction, possession of a handgun without a permit and maintaining a common nuisance.

A passenger in the vehicle, 22-year-old Eddie Richardson, also of Indianapolis, was charged with possession of marijuana and visiting a common nuisance.

A male juvenile, 16, who also was in the vehicle is facing juvenile charges.

Both adults were transported to the Ripley County Jail without incident, while the juvenile was released to a parent.