Crime & Safety

Strong Odor of Cologne Fails to Mask Suspected Pot Odor

The following arrest information was supplied by the Milton police department. It does not indicate a conviction.

An Alpharetta man was arrested on drug charges after being stopped for broken brake lights and an expired tag on Nov. 9 at 3:58 p.m.

A Milton police officer stopped a Toyota 4Runner that only had one of three brake lights working and a tag decal that expired in July 2013.

The officer smelled what he described as "a strong oder of a cologne. It was very, very, very strong." The motorist would not look the officer in the eye and was visibly shaking. A number of prescription bottles were sitting next to the emergency brake. The driver said he had severa medical issues, and the bottles had his name on them. Other bottles were on the back seat. But when the officer came back to the 4Runner after checking out the driver's record, most of the prescription bottles were gone. The driver said he cleaned up a little.

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Once he stepped out of the car to be searched, the odor of burnt marijuana could be smelled. When confronted, the driver admitted he had a pipe in his pants. By giving the man's pants a shake, a glass pipe fell to the ground.

Thomas C. Erickson, 31, of Club Circle, Alpharetta, was arrested on charges of possession of drug-related objects, a felony, and misdemeanors that includedΒ  possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana, operating a vehicle with an expired tag and brake lights and turn signals required.

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For questions about this blotter, email Bob Pepalis.


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