BEDFORD – Two people were arrested after a Bedford Police officer, who was on routine patrol, spotted a silver car fail to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of 12th and T streets Tuesday.
The officer stopped the vehicle at the intersection of John William Boulevard and R Street.
The driver was 23-year-old Rachel E. Newcomer, of Bloomington. Her passenger was later identified as Antonio Collins, 29, of Bloomington.
While speaking to the occupants the officer detected the odor of marijuana and saw a small amount of the drug in the front passenger door handle along with a partially smoked hand rolled marijuana cigarette.
The officer told them he had probable cause to search the vehicle. At that time Newcomer attempted to conceal an item. Both Newcomer and Collins were ordered out of the vehicle.
When Newcomer opened the door another officer saw a baggie containing crystal meth on the floor board.
Both Newcomer and Collins were detained at that time.
Collins attempted to run from the officer. The officer braced Collins against the vehicle to prevent him from fleeing.
Collins then attempted to reach into his waistband for a gun. The officer took Collins to the ground. Collins continued to resist the officer. He attempted to roll away from the officer and tucked his arms beneath him. He then kicked an officer in the leg and groin area. During the struggle, the officers were able to retrieve the handgun, a 9mm pistol, from Collins’ waistband. The firearm was loaded with one round in the chamber, along with a magazine containing 11 bullets.Â
With both Collins and Newcomer detained the officer retrieved the baggie of meth in the vehicle and found it on the ground ripped into two pieces and the meth spilled on the ground.
Officers retrieved a cut straw, Alprazolam pills, and the marijuana. They also located a syringe containing meth on the ground.
While in custody, police attempted to identify Collins but he refused to cooperate. The officers were able to locate an Indiana Department of Corrections picture identification inside Newcomer’s wallet.
Collins admitted the drugs in the vehicle were his.
Officers then learned Collins was wanted on an active warrant in Monroe County. He now faces charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, carrying a handgun without a permit, battery resulting in bodily injury to a public safety officer, four counts of resisting arrest, possession of meth, unlawful possession of a syringe, possession of marijuana, and possession of a legend drug
Newcomer faces a charge of obstruction of justice.
Officers suffered minor lacerations on their hands and knuckles during the struggle with Collins.
