Police make drug arrest

Staff Report
Published: June 25, 2008

A Culpeper man is accused of possessing three small bags of marijuana and a prescription drug after his arrest early Wednesday morning by town police.

Gareth Lyndon Rankin, 23, is charged with possessing misdemeanor possession of marijuana and possession of Xanax, a prescription drug used to treat anxiety disorders.

Police said Rankin was seen leaving Yowell Meadow Park shortly after midnight Wednesday.

When asked why he was there, given that the park is closed to the public after dark, Rankin allegedly became nervous and gave conflicting stories.

Rankin also told police he had no weapons, but kept reaching into his pockets after being warned not to do so by police. As Rankin began emptying his pockets, a bag of marijuana fell on the ground, which police said he tried to cover up with his foot.

A further search turned up three pills suspected to be Xanax in a cigar tube, police said.

He was taken to jail and held on $2,000 bond.

This was his second run-in with Culpeper Police in a week, according to town spokesman Wally Bunker. 

On Saturday, Rankin was charged with driving under the influence, refusing a breath test, disregarding a traffic signal and operating an uninspected vehicle.

He is scheduled for arraignment on the drug and traffic charges at 8:30 a.m. July 2, Bunker said.