Crime & Safety

Novato Carpool Lane Violator Found with Drugs, Ammo

San Francisco man pulled over Thursday was arrested on suspicion of DUI plus other possible charges.

A California Highway Patrol stop for a carpool lane violation Thursday in Novato led to the arrest of a San Francisco man on possible drug and weapons charges, the CHP said Friday.

An officer saw a solo driver at the wheel of a 1989 Jeep Comanche in the carpool lane at 5:48 p.m. Thursday on northbound Highway 101 just south of the Nave Drive exit in Ignacio, CHP Officer Chris Rardin said. The driver pulled over at the Ignacio Boulevard offramp and was identified as Stewart Hepburn, 52, of San Francisco.

The officer determined that Hepburn was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and was found to be in possession of marijuana and methamphetamines. A search of the Jeep yielded high-powered ammunition and drug paraphernalia belonging to Hepburn.

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Hepburn, who gave his occupation a butcher, faces felony charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of ammunition plus misdemeanor charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence. His bail at Marin County Jail was listed at $10,000.


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