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Officer may have been exposed during drug arrest

HOWLAND — A 28-year-old Warren man arrested on a warrant Thursday afternoon in connection with an earlier domestic violence incident also may face drug charges.

Police say the suspected drugs found in his pocket are believed to have affected a Howland police officer during a traffic stop.

Juchard Duncan, 2263 Brier St., pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping, aggravated burglary and domestic violence during a court appearance Monday.

Howland police Chief Nick Roberts said additional charges may be filed later when the department receives information from the state Bureau of Criminal Information about the contents of a bag with an unknown substance found in Duncan’s front right pocket.

Howland officer Adam Rios reported feeling weak, cold, light-headed, as well as having a tingling sensation after he pulled the plastic bag with the white powder out of Duncan’s right pocket.

Rios was taken to St. Joseph Warren Hospital for examination by the Howland Fire Department. Roberts on Monday said the officer did not have any lingering effects from contact with the substance.

In addition to the suspected drugs, police investigators confiscated $9,121 in cash found on Duncan and within the car. The money found included 50 $100 bills, 60 $50 bills, 56 $20 bills and one $1 bill.

Rios made the initial stop about 3:55 p.m. Thursday when he noticed a gray Chevrolet Impala traveling south on Elm Road. A check of the license plate found the vehicle’s owner, Bralia Rodgers, had a suspended license.

When Rios drove behind the vehicle, Rodgers sped up, eventually running a red light at Genesee Avenue. She stopped on Clermont Avenue.

Walking on the passenger’s side, Rios noticed a copious amount of money on the floor board. Duncan, according to the police report, appeared nervous and his hands were sweating.

During the arrest, Duncan repeatedly told officers that he could not believe they were taking his money from him.

Duncan was wanted for an incident that occurred at 7:51 p.m., Nov. 17, at which he is alleged to have forcibly entered the home of two of his children’s mother with a handgun, pulled her wig off her head, and punched her in the left side of her face. The woman yelled for her children to run out of the house, but only one, a 7-year-old, managed to get out and call police.

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