Columbus man arrested after marijuana found inside a car

COLUMBUS, Ind. – On January 13, approximately 8:18 p.m., Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers was patrolling southbound on U.S. 31 when he observed a vehicle along the right side of the roadway with its hazard lights on. Sheriff Myers immediately stopped to check on the car.

When he turned on his emergency lights, the driver immediately exited the vehicle and began walking toward the patrol car. Myers then made contact with the driver, later identified as Benjamin Stevens, 38, of Columbus.

While speaking with Stevens, Myers said he detected the odor of marijuana. A male passenger 39, also from Columbus, exited the passenger’s side of the car and walked to both Myers and Benjamin. Benjamin told Myers that they ran out of gasoline and someone was on the way to assist them.

Benjamin advised that there was a small amount of marijuana inside the car and showed Myers where it was located. He then took possession of the container, opened it and located multiple items of drug-related paraphernalia and what appeared to be marijuana inside. Road patrol was then called to the scene to help field test the substance which reportedly tested positive for marijuana.

Benjamin then told deputies that the drugs belonged to him and he was taken to the Bartholomew County Jail on preliminary charges of possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, possession of a syringe, and warrant.