Lodi traffic stop leads to multiple arrests

LODI — A routine traffic stop by Lodi police officers led officers to discover an initial arrest warrant, plus methamphetamine, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page.

Officer Michael Hitchcock stopped Kari Jones, 50, of Lodi on the 100 block of North Sacramento Street at 7:58 p.m. on Saturday, he reported. Hitchcock found her to have an outstanding misdemeanor warrant and a suspended driver’s license, according to Sgt. Steve Maynard.

Hitchcock’s initial search of Jones’ vehicle turned up a little more than a quarter-pound of methamphetamine, police said.

A search warrant for Jones’ residence was executed at 12:46 a.m. early the next morning, according to Sgt. Maynard.

An additional 11⁄4 ounces of methamphetamine was located at the residence, as well as 1⁄4 ounce of cocaine, both inside the garage in a vehicle that had been reported stolen, police said.

Resident Diana Mertz, 50, was arrested and booked on suspicion of drug possession, and Michael Grant, 48, was arrested and booked for an outstanding warrant, police said.

Jones was booked into Lodi jail for drug possession with intent to distribute, transportation of drugs, possession of a stolen vehicle, traffic related offenses and her outstanding warrant.

Fire breaks out on Mokelumne island

On Sunday, Lodi Fire Department’s Engine 4 responded to a small island fire along the Mokelumne River, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page.

The fire was reportedly inaccessible from Lodi Lake’s nature trail, prompting Engine 4’s firefighters to transfer a portable pump and hose system onto a pontoon boat before heading up the river to put out the fire.

Drive-by under investigation

The Lodi police and fire departments responded to a drive-by shooting last Wednesday.

According to Lodi Police Lt. Sierra Brucia, the shooting occurred on the 100 block of North Cherokee Lane. Brucia said that a single adult male reportedly suffered multiple gunshot wounds that were not life threatening.

Brucia also said that almost the entire Lodi Police shift responded to the shooting, although no suspects have been identified yet.