Defective headlamp leads to cocaine arrest and resisting arrest charges

May 13th – At approximately 9pm Howe Police Officer Robert Todd stopped a vehicle on US Hwy 75 in Howe for a defective headlamp. After getting conflicting stories about the occupants’ travel plans and noticing that the driver and passenger were nervous, Officer Todd obtained consent to search their pockets and their vehicle. Two Van Astyne PD officers arrived at the scene to assist. While searching the 28-year-old Van Alstyne man’s pockets, Officer Todd noticed a baggie of cocaine laying on the ground at the suspect’s feet. When Officer Todd attempted to handcuff him, the suspect tried to run. The officers took the suspect to the ground and eventually used pepper spray on him to get him to comply and get him handcuffed. Officer Todd found approximately one ounce of methamphetamine in one of the suspect’s shoes. The suspect and two of the officers suffered minor scrapes, contusions and abrasions. Medical personnel were called to the scene to check the suspect before he was taken to the Grayson County Jail and booked for Man/Deliver of a Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 1 > 4g, Possession of a Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 1 < 1g, Resisting Arrest, and an FTA warrant. The 33-year-old driver was arrested for Defective Equipment.