By By LYDIA GRIMES Feature Reporter
Two men were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and a third is being sought after the Brewton Police Department responded to a tip about possible drug activity at the Days Inn Motel this past weekend.
Chief David Lovelace said his department received the tip at 12:19 p.m. Saturday, July 31. Police responded to the tip, but found no one in the room. Lovelace said that his officers could see through the window personal items and a green leafy substance that appeared to be marijuana.
Sgt. Eric Suarez of the Brewton Police Department contacted 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force Agent Lt. Keith Hutchins, and the two gathered information that three black males were seen leaving the motel in a 2004 white Ford Taurus with a Florida license plate. Two of the males were described as having dreadlocks, while the third man was bald.
Local law enforcement agencies began watching for the vehicle and Officers Rodney Brand and Richard Yoder spotted it at the intersection of Hwy. 31 and 41 headed toward the Days Inn. The vehicle was stopped and the passenger, Kenneth Haynes, was found to be in possession of the keys to room under surveillance.
Chief Lovelace said a Mrs. Jenkins, who was driving the vehicle and had the room registered in her name, gave permission for the police to search the room. Officers found approximately one pound of a green leafy substance thought to be marijuana packaged for sale with an estimated street value of $5,000, and approximately $1,641 in cash.
Haynes, who listed his address as 2917 6th Street, St. Petersburg, Fla., was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, first degree. The second suspect, Robert Lee Benjamin, was located at his listed home address, 110 Kelly Alley, Brewton. Lovelace said Benjamin had a small bag of marijuana in his possession, approximately one ounce, at the time. He, too, was charged with possession of marijuana, first degree. Both men were taken to the Escambia County Detention Center and booked. The third suspect is still being sought.
Chief Lovelace said that it was the cooperation between the police department and the drug task force that brought the men in.