A Leesburg man who was stopped for a Marion County warrant was also charged for methamphetamines found inside of lock box in his vehicle.
An officer observed a maroon 2002 Ford Focus parked on the south end of the 7-Eleven parking lot, located at 2058 U.S. Hwy. 27/441, away from the entry door where there were empty spaces around 12:50 a.m. Friday, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department.
The officer noticed the vehicle was occupied by a man, later identified as 34-year-old Michael Brandon Jenkins, in the driver’s seat. A check of the tag revealed that Jenkins, the registered owner, had an active Marion County warrant for retail theft. The description of the wanted person matched Jenkins, the report said.
Once the officer confirmed Jenkins’ identity, he was detained. He was later taken into custody after the warrant was confirmed, the report said.
A tow truck was called to the scene, and the officer took inventory of the vehicle. On the front driver’s floorboard was a black lock box where Jenkins’ feet were. The box contained a used syringe, a clear plastic baggie of crystalline substance, loose crystalline substance and two plastic baggies with white powder residue, the report said.
Both crystalline substances tested positive for methamphetamine. The bagged portion weighed 0.19 grams while the loose portion weighed 0.56 grams, the report said.
The report noted that while being asked to step out of the vehicle, Jenkins was also asked what the black thing on the floorboard was, the report said. He replied, “a lock box.”
Jenkins was subsequently arrested for the warrant charging him with petit theft (more than $100 less than $750). He was also charged with possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He was transported to Lake County Jail with bond set at $4,000.