Passenger Arrested on Concealed Weapons Charge in Alpharetta Traffic Stop

A call from an investigator alerting an Alpharetta police officer that a red Cadillac Escalade was speeding down Haynes Bridge Road on Feb. 27 at 5:04 p.m. lead to drug and weapon charges against occupants of the vehicle.

The officer stopped the SUV on North Point Parkway, with both vehicles pulling into the Men's Wearhouse parking lot. The officer thought he smelled marijuana smoke, and a police dog alerted on it when lead around the vehicle.

After the four occupants were removed from the SUV, officers turned up a small bag inside a cigarette pack of a green, leafy substance that appeared to be marijuana. The officer's report said the driver agree it was his. One of the passengers told polie he didn't have any weapons on him, but the incident report said a loaded .380 pistol was found in his waistband.

Another passenger was searched and police said they found a bag with individually wrapped bags of a white, rock-like substance believed to be crack cocaine on her.

Two of the passengers and the driver were arrested and charged, while the other passenger was released without charges.

Angel A. Arce, 21, of Roswell, was charged with possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and speeding.

Denis E. Grant, 25, of Alpharetta, was charged with carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. He was released on $2,500 bond on March 1.

Jean R. Cherisca, 25, of Alpharetta, was charged with possession of controlled substances with intent to convey. He remained in Fulton County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bond.

 Sandy Springs Man Allegedly Found with Pot, 20 Beer Cans in Car

A Sandy Springs man now faces four charges after being stopped by Alpharetta police on Windward Parkway on March 2 a 11:27 p.m. because of a broken brake light.

An Alpharetta police officer said after the traffic stop that he could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from the driver. He also put in his incident report that what appeared to be a beer can could be seen in a cup holder. As the driver got out of the car, the officer said he could smell a strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from inside the car. A freshly burnt marijuana pipe was found on the driver's seat, and a freshly opened can of cold beer was in the cup holder. The officer also found approximately 20 other beer cans inside the car, and trace amounts of marijuana in the center console area.

Christopher D. Appleton, 23, of Sandy Springs, was arrested and charged with possession of drug-related objects, (a felony), possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, open container violation while operating a motor vehicle and a brake light violation.

For questions about this blotter, email Bob Pepalis.