LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A vehicle stop Saturday resulted in the arrest of a Lakeport man and the seizure of methamphetamine and metal knuckles.

Theodore Anthony Jones, 46, of Lakeport was arrested for reckless driving, possession of a controlled substance and metal knuckles, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

At 6:30 p.m. Saturday a patrol deputy was traveling eastbound on Highway 20 near the intersection of Stokes Avenue in Nice, Brooks said. Several cars in front of the deputy were traveling eastbound at the posted speed limit.

Brooks said the deputy observed a motorcycle traveling on Stokes Avenue towards the Highway 20 intersection. The motorcycle failed to stop at the posted stop sign and pulled out into the eastbound traffic of Highway 20.

When the rider of the motorcycle did this, he forced the driver in front of the patrol vehicle to apply his brakes with significant force to avoid a collision. Brooks said the motorcycle rider then pulled into a designated turn lane where he rapidly accelerated, passing four vehicles which also were in the turn lane.

The deputy activated his emergency lights and conducted an enforcement stop in the area of Highway 20 and Collier Avenue in Nice, Brooks said.

The deputy explained the reason for the stop to the motorcyclist, who was identified as Jones, and asked Jones why he was driving recklessly. Jones told the deputy that he had a lot on his mind, according to Brooks.

Due to the numerous violations and the fact that Jones appeared to have no regard for his safety or the safety of others, Brooks said Jones was arrested for reckless driving.

The deputy contacted Central Dispatch and requested a tow truck to remove the motorcycle. Brooks said the deputy asked Jones how to unlock his saddlebags, so he could conduct an inventory search of the motorcycle. Jones said he would not unlock the saddlebags and placed the keys on the motorcycle seat.

As the deputy searched the left side saddlebag, he located a purple Crown Royal bag which contained a small amount of marijuana. Also in the Crown Royal bag was a plastic bag containing a crystalline substance which the deputy immediately recognized to be methamphetamine, Brooks said.

Brooks said the deputy continued his search and located a set of metal knuckles inside the same saddlebag. All of the items were seized as evidence.

The methamphetamine was later weighed and determined to have a gross weight of 8.76 grams, Brooks said.

Jones was arrested and transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.