March 16, 2007, 12:11 AM
After midnight Friday, an officer noticed a silver Corolla head south on Ridgeland with both front seat occupants unseatbelted. When pulled over at 26th and Ridgeland, a strong odor of burnt cannabis was detected by the officer. Marijuana seeds and stems were visible on the floor between the front seats, as well as a partially burned leafy substance in plain view on the console. The driver, a 35-year-old man from the 2500 block of Cuyler, refused to exit the car and became verbally combative, saying "F--- you! I'm in front of my own house!" Finally, he came out and was patted down for officer safety. The woman passenger in the front seat was asked to unzip her jacket for the same reason; at this, everyone in the car began aggressively yelling that the officer could not search a woman. The officer explained the situation again. The driver said "F--- that!' and made a move toward the officer. The driver was then ordered to put his hands on the car; several requests were made before he complied. The officer unzipped the woman's jacket and found no weapons. The driver was arrested for possession; his stash of weed was found in a plastic bag tucked in the visor of the car.
