Traffic stop triggers auto theft arrest

Police nabbed a car theft suspect after a routine traffic stop on East Jefferson Avenue Sunday, December 14.

According to police, an officer stopped James Lee Meadows at about 9:30 p.m. after he turned from Highway 20 onto Hood Avenue without using the left turn lane.

Meadows reportedly couldn't produce a driver's license, and gave the police what proved to be a false name. Police discovered that the station wagon Meadows was driving was reported stolen out of Bend.

After that discovery, Meadows, 30, allegedly confirmed his true identity.

Police arrested Meadows and searched the vehicle. The search allegedly turned up a hypodermic syringe with bloody contents, a bag containing white powdery residue, a checkbook determined to have been stolen in Bandon, and less than an ounce of a sub-stance that appeared to be marijuana.

The officer also allegedly found some jewelry and, according to police reports, "a note that appeared to be part of a plot to deceive persons into giving Mr. Meadows money."

Police arrested Meadows on charges of possession of a controlled substance, unauthorized use of a vehicle, giving false information to a police officer, failure to display a driver's license, third degree theft, and other driving charges.