Suspicious vehicle bust

Published 7:00 am Friday, April 4, 2014

The Picayune Police Department responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint at Racetrac, which ended in the arrest of a Pearl River, La. woman and Perkinston woman, said Jeremy Magri, assistant to the chief.

On March 19 at 2:23 a.m., officers were dispatched to the business on Hwy. 43 South  to investigate a suspicious parked vehicle with two occupants inside, Magri said.

Upon their arrival, officers observed a red Chevrolet 1500 sitting at the stop sign by the business. The officers attempted to make contact with the occupants, but both were passed out inside the vehicle, Magri said.

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When an officer opened the driver’s side door, he observed the driver, identified as Rhonda Schwartz, 45, of 67185 Yupon Dr. Lot #6, Pearl River, La., was passed out with the vehicle in drive and her foot on the brake, Magri said.

While speaking with Schwartz the officers noticed signs of intoxication. In speaking with Schwartz the officer noticed her speech was slurred and her balance was unsteady, Magri said.

The officer then conducted several standardized field sobriety tests and had her empty the contents of her pockets. Her pockets contained Adderall and oxycodone, both are Schedule II narcotics, Magri said.

Schwartz was charged with DUI first offense and felony possession of controlled substance, Magri said.

Officers then woke the passenger identified as Catherine Bonnicard, 60, of 26605 Creek Cove Lot #44,in Perkinston, Miss., Magri said.

While attempting to have her exit the vehicle, officers observed two empty beer cans on the passenger side floorboard, Magri said.

Officers then had to assist Bonnicard out of vehicle and she was placed under arrest for open beer due to the cans on the floorboard, Magri said.

Schwartz and Bonnicard were booked on said charges, Magri said.