Two Iowans and two Nebraskans were arrested on drug charges Tuesday morning after their vehicle broke down on U.S. Interstate 80 in southern Dallas County.
Thomas Andrew Becker, 32, of 2575 Laurel Ave., Omaha, Nebraska, was charged with second-degree theft, first-offense possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, first-offense possession of a controlled substance-marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and providing false identification information.
Laura Eileen Blakley, 38, of 2121 N. 27th St., Lincoln, Nebraska, was charged with second-degree theft, first-offense possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, second-offense possession of a controlled substance-marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Bridgett Destiny Bowman, 24, of 324 High St., Avoca, Iowa, was charged with second-degree theft, first-offense possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Devin Lee Lebaugh, 35, of 2729 S. Sixth St., Council Bluffs, Iowa, was charged with second-degree theft, first-offense possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, first-offense possession of a controlled substance-marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The incident began about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday near the 117 mile marker of westbound U.S. Interstate 80, where officers of the Waukee Police Department encountered a vehicle alongside the interstate with its hazards lights on.
A record check on the 2003 Ford Explorer, driven by Bowman, showed it was stolen from Council Bluffs. A search of the vehicle disclosed narcotics, according to court records.
Becker is held in the Dallas County Jail without bond pending an initial appearance in Dallas County District Court.
Blakley is held in the Dallas County Jail without bond pending an initial appearance in Dallas County District Court.
Bowman is held in the Dallas County Jail without bond pending an initial appearance in Dallas County District Court.
Lebaugh is held in the Dallas County Jail without bond pending an initial appearance in Dallas County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Four people in a stolen vehicle carrying dope on Interstate 80 certainly puts them in the running for the Darwin Awards. I haven’t touched anything in 23 years but if I still indulged, I sure wouldn’t be caught dead on Interstate 80 even if all I had were seeds, stems and residue in the ash tray.