Published: November 23, 2009 08:59 pm      

Motorist reportedly shows gun following obscene gesture

Two arrested on drug charges after traffic stop

A Sellersburg man was arrested Saturday for allegedly displaying a handgun during a road-rage incident on Interstate 265 in New Albany.

Benjamin C. Smith, 20, of the 3200 block of Bugaboo Lane, was charged with class D felony criminal recklessness.

A 44-year-old Georgetown man called 911 at 12:20 p.m. Saturday and said that another motorist had been following his vehicle very closely as they traveled along I-265, according to a New Albany Police Department press release. The Georgetown man reportedly told the dispatcher that as the other motorist drove alongside his vehicle to pass him, he made an obscene gesture. He said the other driver responded by showing a handgun.

The 911 caller remained in contact with the dispatcher as he followed the man’s car to a residence on the 1300 block of Chapel Creek Court. The suspect reportedly exited his vehicle and ran inside his home.

An NAPD officer found Smith was still in possession of a loaded handgun and that he had a valid concealed-carry permit, the release says.

Smith was transported to the Floyd County Jail. He was released Monday after posting $5,000 court-cash or surety bond.

He faces six months to three years in prison if convicted of that charge.



Man wanted in Lawrence County arrested for drugs

Two New Albany men were arrested on drug charged Sunday at about 11 a.m. following a routine traffic stop, according to NAPD.

Albert F. Schmitt, 44, of the 200 block of West Daisy Lane, and James R. Edwards, of the 1000 block of Woodbourne Drive, were reportedly in a car that was stopped at East Eighth and Beeler streets because the driver was not wearing a seat belt.

Schmitt, the driver, was wanted in Lawrence County for failure to appear on an operating while intoxicated charge, according to the press release. Schmitt was allegedly found in possession of Xanax without a prescription. Marijuana also was found in the vehicle.

Schmitt is preliminarily charged with possession of a controlled substance, a class C felony, and possession of marijuana, a class A misdemeanor.

Edwards was preliminarily charged with possession of marijuana, a class A misdemeanor. Both were transported to the Floyd County Jail and awaited an initial hearing as of press time.