A Bloomfield man was convicted of driving while suspended in August. He apparently continued to drive. He was stopped by a Linton officer and accused of driving while suspended. He apparently continued to drive. A little over a week later, he was stopped by a Bloomfield officer and accused of the same thing.

Gary Ray Cross, 33, Bloomfield, was arrested last Tuesday night, December 3, by Deputy Marshal Jordan Allor of the Bloomfield Police Department. Cross was also stopped on Sunday, November 24, but not arrested, by Officer John Agan of the Linton Police Department.

Around 2:43 p.m. on November 24, Officer Agan conducted a traffic stop on a green 1999 Ford Escort that was southbound on 6th Street SE near C Street SE. Agan said the plate on the car belonged to a maroon 2004 Pontiac.

Cross was identified as the driver and allegedly said he knew the plate belonged to a different vehicle. He also said he knew his driver’s license was suspended and that he should not be driving.

Agan reported that when he checked records, he determined Cross had a prior conviction for driving while suspended in Owen County. The conviction wasn’t that long ago – August 27.

Cross was not arrested during the stop. But a criminal case has since been filed against him on a charge of driving while suspended, a knowing violation with a prior conviction within 10 years, a Class A misdemeanor.

Then around 9:52 p.m. on December 3 in Bloomfield, Officer Allor conducted a traffic stop on the same green Ford Escort at the entrance to Metal Technologies on East State Road 54. Officer Allor said the plate on the Escort belonged to a different vehicle.

Cross was identified as the driver and his driver’s license was suspended. Allor said the license was not eligible for reinstatement until February of 2020.

During this stop, Cross was arrested, because after BPD Lt. Marvin Holt arrived on scene to assist, Cross was asked to exit the vehicle and when asked if he had anything on him, he responded that he had Xanax in his pocket.

A search ensued and officers reported they located a bottle with 43 pills identified as Alprazolam, also known as Xanax. The pills were prescribed for a different person.

From another pocket, Officer Allor reported he pulled out a clear plastic bag tied into a knot that contained a white and brown powder substance. When he asked Cross what it was, Cross allegedly said, “What the f--- is that?” The officer said he didn’t know, that’s why he was asking. Then Cross allegedly admitted, “It’s dope,” meaning meth.

The powder later field-tested positive as methamphetamine.

Cross was booked into the Greene County Jail where he was held without bond pending his appearance in court.

Cross is currently scheduled for two initial hearings on Thursday, one for the first case and in the second case, he’s facing charges of:

• Possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony,

• Possession of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor, and

• Driving while suspended, a knowing violation with a prior conviction within 10 years, a Class A misdemeanor.