Narcotics Arrest Following Darien Traffic Stop: Police

DARIEN, CT — Two North Carolina men were arrested on narcotics and motor vehicle violations Saturday afternoon in Darien after police saw the passenger riding without a seatbelt and multiple prescription pills were found in the possession of one of the suspects, according to police.

The incident began at about 12:15 p.m. on the Post Road when the officer saw the passenger was not wearing a seatbelt.

"A routine check of the license plate showed it belonged on a 1991 Ford Mustang [not the 2001 Chevrolet Blazer the two were in]," wrote police in a statement. "The Officer pulled behind the vehicle, which then abruptly pulled into the gas station [on the] Post Road. The vehicle was stopped by the Officer in the parking lot.

"The Officer made contact with the operator, [Erick] Locklear. He told the Officer he did not have a driver’s license. He explained to the Officer that the vehicle belonged to his girlfriend, who was not inside the vehicle. Officers observed a pill bottle lying in the rear seat, with the affixed label scratched off and a quantity of pills inside.

"[Darien Police] K-9 'Kenny' was walked around the vehicle to conduct a free-air sniff, and alerted to the presence of narcotics. Based on the alert, a search of the vehicle was conducted. Several pills and a straw with white powder residue were located. Also found was a glass-pipe with marijuana residue on it."

The passenger, Steven Oxendine, told police that the pills belonged to him, but was unable to produce any prescriptions.

"No one took ownership of the red straw, the residue on which would later test positive for heroin," wrote police.

Oxendine and Locklear were placed under arrest, and at police headquarters, the pills in question were identified as:

2- Hydralazine
2- Clonazepam
1- Furosemide
5- Oxycodone

Locklear, 37, of Maxton, NC, was booked and charged with the following motor vehicle offenses: Improper use of Marker Plate; Unregistered Motor Vehicle; and Operating a Motor Vehicle without a License. He posted a $150 bond and was given a court date of August 1.

Oxendine, 50, of Rowland, NC, was booked and charged with the following narcotics offenses: Possession of Narcotics; Illegal Storage of Narcotics; and Possession of Marijuana.

He was held in lieu of a $10,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in court on July 24.

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