Meth tossed in SE Bend traffic stop; driver arrested
(Update: Adding details)
A bag of methamphetamine was thrown from a car during a southeast Bend traffic stop Thursday night, police said, leading to the arrest of a Bend man at the wheel and seizure of the drugs, cash, knife and a stolen cellphone.
Sgt. Adam Juhnke said an officer pulled over a black BMW sedan for a traffic violation (improper use of turn signals) around 9:20 p.m. near Southeast Fourth and Railroad streets.
During the stop, a bag was thrown from the passenger side of the car, Juhnke said.
The officer contacted the driver, who was alone in the car, identified as Christopher Lee Hughes, 32, of Bend. who was detained and eventually search.
A switchblade knife ws found on Hughes, while a search of the bag thrown from the car found nearly 60 grams of a substance field-tested as methamphetamine..
A search of the car also turned up a cellphone identified as stolen in a Washington County theft case, Juhnke said. Officers also seized $801 in cash.
Hughes was booked into the Deschutes County Jail on charges of meth possession and delivery, felon in possession of a restricted weapon (the switchblade) and first-degree theft by receiving of stolen property. He remained held Friday on $40,000 bail, jail records showed.
Court records show Hughes’ lengthy record includes numerous drug and theft arrests, as well as DUII and driving with a suspended license or insurance.
