Monday, Mar. 08, 2010

Alleged drug dealer caught after traffic stop

Police say a gun

A routine traffic stop led the Merced County Sheriff’s Department to arrest a Los Baños man early Sunday morning for allegedly committing weapons and drug-related offenses.

Deputy Tom MacKenzie said law enforcement stopped 27-year-old Michael Fournier for driving with a broken tail light on Pacheco Boulevard at 1:40 a.m.

Mackenzie said Deputy Steve Bassi soon discovered Fournier was also driving the vehicle, a blue Ford Thunderbird, without a license. Fournier was placed under arrest.

A subsequent search of the vehicle produced a handgun, seven grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, MacKenzie said.

Fournier denied ownership of the items.

In addition to not having a driver’s license, Bassi also arrested Fournier on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine for sale and carrying a concealed handgun in a car.

Fournier is being kept at the Los Baños Jail in lieu of $15,000 bail.

Reporter Corey Pride can be reached at (209)388-6563 or by e-mail at cpride@losbanosenterprise.com