On Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 21 at about 3:00 p.m., a CHP officer operating a handheld LIDAR device was monitoring traffic for speed violations on US-101 northbound at De Long Avenue. He observed a 2007 GMC Sierra pickup that he determined to be traveling 75 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour construction zone.

The officer stopped the vehicle at the Atherton Avenue off ramp, and found the driver, 37-year-old Patrick McClelland of Novato, was acting nervously and was unable to locate his identification.

While McClelland was searching for his ID in a backpack,  the officer detected the odor of marijuana and initiated a “probable cause” search of the vehicle.  He discovered a digital scale, approximately one half ounce of suspected methamphetamine, and a methamphetamine smoking pipe. Additionally, the officer found a collapsible baton near the driver’s side door handle of the GMC.

McClelland was placed under arrest and booked into Marin County Jail for suspicion of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine for Sale, Transportation of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Methamphetamine Smoking Device, and Possession of a Prohibited Weapon (the baton).