POLICE BEAT

A non-functioning taillight bulb led to a traffic stop and felony drug charges.

Benton Police Department Officer Jamar Bennett stopped a 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo at Gum and Brown streets around midnight March 26.

Officer Kory Bauer arrived for backup, and noticed an open beer can in the rear passenger area, occupied by Terry Bell, 34, of Silverspur Street in Hot Springs.

The driver, Amanda Bell, admitted to drinking alcohol earlier in the evening and was asked to submit to a field sobriety test.

She passed, and remained outside the vehicle.

Terry Bell later poured the beer on the ground at Bennett's request. Bauer observed two plastic bags, which were found to contain 0.17 ounces of marijuana and 0.05 ounces of crack cocaine. The suspect said the marijuana was his, but he denied knowledge of the crack.

He was charged with one Class A misdemeanor count and one Class C felony count of possession of a controlled substance.

Failure to signal a turn led to a traffic stop and a misdemeanor drug paraphernalia charge against a Little Rock woman on March 21.

Backup Benton police officer Robertson saw Rebecca Wine, 47, of Arapaho Drive, drop a silver object and attempt to kick it under the car. Officer Hunter Begoon, who initiated the stop, retrieved the crack pipe Wine allegedly had dropped.

Wine was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and taken to the Saline County jail.

John H. Ruff, 27, of Pawnee Drive in Benton, was charged by Bryant police with shoplifting at Target on March 8. Items were valued at $74.13. He was also banned from the store.

Vandalism of an aluminum mailbox on Cambridge Circle was reported to Benton police on March 21. Loss: $260.