DRUG ARREST: Traffic Violation Escalates | Crime

A routine traffic violation turned in to a drug bust Wednesday morning.

Keith Ray, 55, of Boone, was pulled over for running a blinking red light at the corner of State Street and Third Avenue.

When the Marshalltown Police officer searched the car, a purse full of meth allegedly belonging to 25-year old passenger, Heather Bell was found.

Bell had left her purse in the car after police released her from the scene just after 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The officer then caught up with Bell a few blocks away and arrested her.

According to the times Repulican, Police charged Ray with driving while barred, an aggravated misdemeanor, and failure to stop, a simple misdemeanor traffic violation. The MPD charged Bell with possession of meth with intent to deliver, a Class B felony.