Woman Faces Drug, Driving Charges

A local woman will be arraigned in court on Monday on drug and driving charges after a traffic stop last month.

Kathleen Raposo Abelha, 26, of Concord, was arrested at 12:25 p.m. on Feb. 2, and charged with possession of drugs, possession of controlled drugs, suspended registration (operating-misd), driving without giving proof, and driving after revocation or suspension.

According to a Concord Police arrest report, while finishing up a traffic stop outside Thirty Pines Car Wash, an officer reportedly observed a 2004 Dodge minivan pass by on Fisherville Road with a December 2012 inspection sticker. The officer followed the vehicle and entered its information into the computer where it was revealed that the driver’s license of the owner of the Dodge and the vehicle registration were suspended on Jan. 31, for default of a court summons.

Later, the officer also learned that the driver’s financial responsibility was also suspended.

The officer pulled the minivan over at the intersection of Fisherville Road and Village Street and after identifying that the driver was Abelha, arrested her.

After safely securing Abelha in the cruiser, the officer allegedly located “about a dozen burnt cigarettes with a strong odor” that was marijuana and took them into custody, according to the report. Another clear plastic bag with marijuana was also allegedly found in her purse in a side pocket that was lying on the floor of the minivan.

Abelha was released on $5,000 personal recognizance bail and has a court date on March 4. She also received a summons for having an uninspected vehicle.