Traffic stops lead to three arrests
Picayune Police made three arrests in two separate incidents according to Assistant Police Chief Jeremy Magri.
On February 23rd just before 11:00am, Picayune Police Narcotics Division detectives conducted a traffic stop at East Canal Street near South Curran Avenue on a car with an expired tag. Detectives spoke with the driver and the passenger.
Stephanie Jean Strickland
According to Magri, while the detective was speaking with the driver, he observed what appeared to be a used syringe sticking out the top of the purse of the passenger that was sitting in her lap. The detective asked both suspects to exit the vehicle and conducted a search of the purse.
The detective found three folded pieces of aluminum foil packs containing a brown powdery residue believed to be heroin and two used syringes. The passenger, identified as Stephanie Jean Strickland, age 42, of 9 Hillbilly Crest, Carriere, was arrested, transported to the Criminal Justice Center, and book on Possession of a Controlled Substance (misdemeanor) and Possession of Paraphernalia, and incarcerated. The driver was issued a citation for an expired tag.
In another incident, a Picayune Police officer was on patrol around 1:30am on February 28th when a 2012 Hyundai Elantra turn unexpectedly in front of him at the intersection of West Canal and Main Street. The Hundai almost hit the patrol car as it cut in front of the officer’s unit while making a sharp, unexpected left hand turn.
The officer conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Elizabeth and South Main Street. He spoke with the driver, identified as Josh Joseph Handov, age 43, of 219 Vine St., Slidell, and the front seat passenger, identified as Jay Paul Montgomery, age 39, of 180 Brigadier Loop, Pearl River, LA. While speaking with Handov, the officer noticed that Handov was visibly shaking and appeared to be extremely nervous. At this time, he asked the suspects to exit the vehicle and he asked for consent to search the vehicle, and the suspects granted him permission according to Magri.
Josh Joseph Handov Jay Paul Montgomery
While searching the vehicle, the officer found four hypodermic needles on the inside roof of the vehicle stuck in the crease around the interior trim near the windshield. Two were on the driver side and two on the passenger side. At this time, the officer took both suspects into custody for Possession of Paraphernalia.
Magri said another officer arrived on the scene and the officers then conducted a search of Handov. The officers located a clear plastic bag that contained a crystal-like substance believed to be Crystal Methamphetamine concealed in a plastic container that was hidden in Handov’s crotch area. At this point, Handov was charged for Possession of Controlled Substance (felony).
Both Handov and Montgomery were transported to the Criminal Justice Center, booked on the said charges, and incarcerated.
