By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
A large amount of cash was seized during a routine traffic stop Friday night on Interstate 40.
A trooper with Arkansas State Police Troop D in Forrest City reportedly found over $88,000 in cash sewn into two pillows located inside a 1999 Ford Expedition that was stopped near the 253 mile marker between Widener and Parkin about 11 p.m.
An ASP spokesman said the driver of the vehicle, which was displaying North Carolina tags, was stopped for careless driving. The driver, a 17-year-old from Gaffney, S.C., and two passengers, Jose Vasquez, 25, of Greer, S.C. and Noreida Moreno, 29, of Gaffney, S.C., were questioned by police. None of the three had driver's licenses, according to state police.
During a search of the vehicle, troopers reportedly found the $88,748 in cash located inside the pillows in the rear passenger seat of the vehicle. The three denied knowing the money was inside the pillows, according to the ASP spokesman. There were no drugs found inside the vehicle.
"We're thinking it's drug money. All three of the subjects said they didn't know anything about the money being in the pillows," the spokesperson said.
Also, according to the ASP, the three subjects were reportedly traveling from California where they have been linked to two subjects who were recently arrested on drug charges. The two California individuals were arrested for drugs after being found in possession of five kilos of cocaine. The cocaine had an estimated street value of about $125,000. We believe they were trying to bond out some friends who had been arrested for cocaine in California," according to an ASP official.
The driver was arrested for careless driving and no driver's license. Charges were not filed against the other two occupants.
As for now, the money has been placed in a local bank and will be kept there until the courts decide if the money should be forfeited and to which agencies it should be given.
A Forrest City man was seriously injured when he ran into the side of a moving vehicle on South Washington Street Sunday evening.
The Forrest City Police Department reported John Davis, 21, 410 E. Davis, was running west across Washington when he ran into the side of a 1999 Isuzu driven by Bobby Macom, 23, Walnut Ridge. Macom told police he was traveling north on South Washington when Davis ran into the side of his car.
Davis was airlifted from the accident scene to the Med Center in Memphis where he was listed in good condition today.
No charges were filed in the accident.
An estimated $300 damage was reported to Macom's vehicle.
The Forrest City City Council will meet Tuesday at City Hall. There will be an executive session at 6:30 p.m. to discuss a personnel issue, followed by the regular meeting at 7.
Some of the agenda items include more discussion on the proposed Downs Village subdivision. Joe King of King Disposal is also on the agenda. There will also be second reading of an ordinance setting a fine for people who do not take their garbage carts from the curb after pickup. Another ordinance on second reading will waive the bidding procedure to allow the city to purchase a used bucket truck for the Street Department.
An ordinance on first reading will, if passed, rezone 851 S. Izard from residential to commercial, to allow the construction of a warehouse. There will also be an ordinance on first reading addressing the city's existing law about dogs running at large.
There will be a bid opening for air packs and cylinders for the Fire Department. Michael Gray is also on the agenda, to discuss the Forrest City Housing Authority Board.
Area residents will be able to discuss changes in the state's election system tonight during a meeting at the St. Francis County Courthouse.
The meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Quorum Court meeting room. Secretary of State Sharon Priest will discuss the election changes with those in attendance.
A money bag was stolen Friday night from the owner of the local movie theater as she was attempting to get into her vehicle.
Ann Claire Vaccaro, owner of Broadway Cinema, told police she was trying to get into her car, which was parked in front of the theater, just before 11 p.m., when a black male subject approached her from behind a nearby parked vehicle. The suspect reportedly told her to give him the bank bag, but grabbed it from her purse before she could comply. The suspect fled on foot behind the theater.