Before a van was towed during a traffic stop, the driver was told he was free to leave. He didn’t leave. Then when the van was inventoried and a syringe was found, he was arrested.

Steven Isaac House, 58, Linton, was arrested by Officer Zachary Goad of the Linton Police Department early Tuesday, November 30.

At 12:12 a.m. that Tuesday, Officer Goad was southbound on Main Street in Linton. When he stopped at the light at the intersection with A Street NE, he saw a silver 2008 Town and Country van, westbound on A Street, run a red light. The van did not have a license plate and Officer Goad initiated a traffic stop. The van turned in and stopped in the parking lot of the police department.

House was the driver who said he had recently purchased the van. But the paperwork showed the woman he purchased the van from had also purchased it last April and never had the title transferred into her name. A wrecker was called to tow the vehicle since it was not properly registered, and the sale was not valid.

House was asked to exit the vehicle and refused at first, then complied. Once he got out, he requested his wallet and cell phone. The officer gave him those items and told House he was free to leave the area. But House did not leave.

During the required inventory of the van, a syringe was found under the driver’s seat. LPD Officer Cayden Walker had arrived to assist on the scene and he detained House. The syringe field-tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine. No other items of evidence were found.

House was booked into the Greene County Jail at 1:40 a.m. He was held without bond until he appeared in court.

During his initial hearing, House was formally charged with:

• Possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony, and

• Unlawful possession of syringe, a Level 6 felony.

A public defender was appointed to represent him and his bond was set at $8,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed.

House recently posted $800 and was released.