Jeremiah Williams, 20, of Tacoma, was arrested and booked Thursday night for unlawful possession of a firearm near the Centralia Outlet Mall on Lum Road following a routine traffic stop.
Williams drove onto Lum Road at a high rate of speed from the mall parking lot and was nearly struck by an oncoming car, said the Centralia Police Department.
Police stopped Williams for failing to yield to another vehicle and discovered he had a suspended license.
While searching Williams, police found more than $5,000 and could smell a distinct odor of marijuana coming from his 2003 Mercedes Benz.
Police then obtained a search warrant, and found a loaded .45 caliber pistol along with drug paraphernalia.
Williams was booked into the Lewis County Jail for felony possession of a firearm. Police Sgt. Kurt Reichert said further charges are pending.
Any amount of marijuana in the possession of a person under 21 is illegal in Washington. It also is illegal to smoke marijuana in public or be under the influence of marijuana while driving a motor vehicle.
The Chronicle (Centralia)
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