A late-night traffic stop on Friday resulted in felony drug and evidence-tampering charges after Bellefontaine police discovered suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia during a vehicle stop.
According to a report from the Bellefontaine Police Department, officers on patrol around 11:15 p.m. noticed a white Chevrolet Colorado parked at a gas pump at the Love’s Travel Stop.
A registration check showed the vehicle was owned by Craig Bayes of Kenton, Ohio, who has a suspended driver’s license.
As the vehicle left the parking lot and headed west on U.S. 33, police stopped it just west of U.S. 68.
The driver, identified as 39-year-old Jonathan Clark, of Zanesfield, told officers he was not the registered owner.
A records check revealed Clark also had a suspended license.
When Clark exited the vehicle at law enforcement’s request, a glass meth pipe was seen in the driver’s door panel.
While walking toward the rear of the truck, Clark was seen by a second officer tossing an item onto the roadside.
Police determined the item was a suspected rock of methamphetamine.
Clark was taken into custody and searched.
Officers found a small metal vial in his pocket containing additional suspected methamphetamine.
A K9 officer conducted a field test, which returned a positive result for methamphetamine.
A search of the vehicle turned up two glass smoking pipes and a small container of THC.
Clark was transported to the Logan County Jail, where he was booked on possession of a controlled substance and tampering with evidence.
