2 Terre Haute men arrested on multiple charges after traffic stop

ISP photo

By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

Two Terre Haute men were arrested on multiple charges following a traffic stop on the north side of the city last night.

• Driver Lewis R. Ross, 39, was booked into the Vigo County Jail on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated with schedule I or II controlled substance, operating a vehicle while intoxicated - endangering persons and unlawful possession of a syringe. He was also cited for violation of conditional driver’s license, open container and license plate light violations.  
• Passenger Gary W. R. Mankin, 31, was booked into the Vigo County Jail on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of methamphetamine, carrying a handgun without a license, possession of paraphernalia, maintaining a common nuisance and theft of a firearm. 

​Indiana State Police Trooper Brad Fyfe stopped the 2005 Infiniti for a license plate and license plate issue in the area of westbound Seventh Avenue near 13th Street just before 11 p.m.

Sgt. Joe Watts explained today that Ross appeared under the influence of illicit drugs. A  subsequent blood test was positive for amphetamines and opiates. Syringes reportedly  were found in the trunk of his car. 

A search of the passenger resulted in several illegal items.

"Mankin was found to be in possession of approximately one gram of suspected methamphetamine, scales, .25 caliber ammunition, paraphernalia, and .25 caliber Phoenix Arms semi-auto pistol found to be listed as stolen from Macomb, Illinois in October of 2001," Watts said, adding that Mankin was also found to be a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
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Troopers David Petrowski and Courtland Woodruff assisted at the scene/