A suspicious vehicle complaint recently led to the arrests of a man and woman on felony drug and weapon charges that resulted in the seizure of illegal narcotics and a stolen firearm according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.
On Monday morning, May 20, 2024 at approximately 5:00am, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau responded to reports of a suspicious vehicle parked near the storage buildings behind the Sibley Lake One Stop in the 900 block of La. Hwy 504 in the Oak Grove area near Natchitoches.
Deputies arrived in the area within minutes.
While checking the area, deputies located a black 1990 Mazda passenger car parked near the rear of the storage buildings.
Deputies observed two individuals identified as Truitt D. Hamm of Provencal and Kimberly D. Oliver of Natchitoches near a partially open storage unit.
Deputies say while speaking with both Hamm and Oliver they appeared nervous and gave conflicting statements as to why they were at the storage buildings.
The responding deputy also smelled a strong marijuana odor leading him to believe criminal activity existed.
Additional back-up units responded to assist.
Deputies then began to search the vehicle based on plain smell probable cause.
During a search of the vehicle, deputies discovered a suspected marijuana cigar in a door pocket.
A back-up deputy observed a Glock 42 semi-automatic handgun thrown in nearby grass. A NCIC weapons check revealed the handgun had been reported stolen to the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies continued to search the vehicle and in the trunk, they discovered a large black bag containing two-large plastic bags containing individually packaged bags of suspected marijuana ready for distribution, and a backpack containing 4-large bags of suspected marijuana, baggies, and digital weighing scales.
Deputies also discovered one clear cellophane bag containing approximately 1 ounce of suspected methamphetamine and 18-suspected alprazolam pills.
Approximate weight of suspected marijuana seized was 1.7 pounds.
Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force Agents were notified and responded to assist in the investigation.
Deputies arrested:
(1). Truitt D. Hamm, 20, of Provencal transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Possession of CDS Schedule I Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of CDS Schedule IV Alprazolam, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm and Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of Controlled Dangerous Substances.
(2). Kimberly D. Oliver, 37, of Natchitoches transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamine.
Deputies say the seized evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for narcotics analysis and identification.
This investigation remains active and ongoing by Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force Agents.
Sheriff Stuart Wright said these arrests are the direct result of someone observing suspicious activity, reporting it and deputies responding to investigate the matter.
If you observe suspicious activity in your community contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 357-7851 or 352-6432.
Involved in the investigation were: Cpl. D. Halliburton, Deputy J. Creel, Deputy M. Ahn-Sims, and Cpl. C. Olliff.
