Drugs, Weapons and Wanted Persons Found in Traffic Stop

An off-duty officer employed by the Stone Mountain Community Improvement District (CID) recently made noteworthy arrests during his routine security sweep.

Officer T.L. Churchill of the DeKalb Police Department’s Tucker precinct ran a check of a vehicle license plate while patrolling the CID on June 13. He discovered that the car’s female owner was wanted by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. A male passenger was also in the vehicle.

During the ensuing vehicle stop, a police search uncovered a bag containing five ounces of methamphetamine, two ounces of marijuana, bags of pills and a 9mm handgun. The male passenger was revealed to be a felon convicted of armed robbery in Gwinnett County.

The female and male suspects were taken into custody. The male suspect faces weapons and drug trafficking charges, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

“The collaboration between DeKalb Police and the Stone Mountain CID is a great example of the business community and police partnering with each other to deter criminal activity and provide a safer working environment,” said Major P. H. White, commander of the Tucker Police precinct. 

According to Plaza Security President Jim Estlund, Officer Churchill is to be commended for his efforts leading to the suspects’ arrest. “He employed aggressive steps while on patrol by checking the vehicle’s ownership records and following through with a complete, successful stop,” Estlund said.