Breckenridge Texan

A traffic stop Saturday afternoon led to the arrest of two Breckenridge residents on charges related to the manufacture or delivery of cocaine and methamphetamine. Potential additional charges are pending further investigation.

Austin  McDonald

According to an affidavit of probable cause filed in the Justice Court, Stephens County Sheriff Will Holt initiated the traffic stop at about 3:40 p.m. Saturday in the 500 block of West Walker Street. The driver of the vehicle, Austin Rayce McDonald, 24, who reportedly had a suspended driver license, pulled into the Allsup’s Convenience Store parking lot.

Two Breckenridge Police Department officers and a deputy from the sheriff’s office, as well as the constable, assisted in the situation. When Holt asked to talk to the passenger, Elizabeth Pauline Wheeler, 19, she asked to use the restroom in the store. Holt asked a female police officer to accompany Wheeler into the store’s restroom.

According to the report, in the restroom, Wheeler attempted to secretly throw away three baggies of methamphetamine and a baggie of cocaine, which the officer retrieved.

Elizabeth Wheeler

Continued searches of the suspects and the vehicle revealed additional drugs, equipment and supplies commonly used by drug dealers, a handgun and ammunition, Holt reported.

The two were booked into the Stephens County jail on charges of First Degree Felony Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 equal to or more than 4 grams but less than 200 grams for the cocaine, and of Second Degree Felony Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 equal to or more than 1 gram but less than 4 grams for the methamphetamine.

As of Tuesday evening, McDonald remained in jail on a $80,000 bond and Wheeler remained in jail on a $40,000 bond.

They both could potentially be charged with Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon (Misdemeanor A), and McDonald could also be charged with Possession of Marijuana less than 2 ounces and Possession of Steroids, Holt reported.