Dec 15, 2016 2 min read

A Washington man was arrested Wednesday night by state police on drug and weapons charges after he allegedly was found with suspected crack and a stolen handgun during a traffic stop in South Strabane Township.

James Roosevelt Leach, 45, of 101 N. Main St., was first spotted by state police about 9:35 p.m. when he passed an unmarked cruiser going eastbound on Interstate 70, approaching the Murtland Avenue exit. Police said he was going in excess of the 55-mph speed limit.

Leach got off at Murtland. When police checked the license plate, it was determined it did not belong on that vehicle.

Police activated the emergency lights and stopped Leach’s vehicle in a motel parking lot off North Avenue. Leach drove to the back of the lot before stopping in front of a room, police said.

When police approached, Leach told the trooper his name and birthdate and reportedly pulled a marijuana pipe from the pocket of his hooded shirt.

When the trooper asked Leach if he had any marijuana, the 45-year-old allegedly responded he had some “hard,” which police indicated is a street name for crack. He handed the drug over to the trooper, according to police.

Leach, who told police that he had a pocket knife, was found with a box of 9 mm ammunition in his pocket. He reportedly told the trooper that he did not have a gun, but later said there was a weapon in the vehicle.

A 9 mm Ruger semi-automatic pistol was found under the driver’s seat. Police determined it had been reported stolen more than two years ago to West Newton police.

Leach was arraigned before District Judge Ethan Ward on charges of possession and possession with intent to deliver crack, possession of paraphernalia, receiving stolen property, carrying a firearm without a license and traffic violations. He was placed in Washington County jail on $100,000 bond.

He is scheduled for a Dec. 29 preliminary hearing before District Judge Robert Redlinger.