PORTAGE | An out-of-state couple were arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with possession of marijuana following a traffic stop.
The couple told police they were on a cross-country trip from California to Pennsylvania when they were stopped. They also allegedly told police they were both unemployed, but police found more than $6,200 in cash in the car.
Denise Daly, 40, of Pennsylvania, was driving the car when police stopped the vehicle for having expired plates. Her passenger was William J. Gates, 36, of North Carolina.
During the traffic stop, Daly and Gates told police conflicting stories of where they were going, why and their relationship. Portage police called in the Porter County Sheriff Department's canine unit to search the vehicle.
During the search, police found six duffel bags and a large black garbage bag in the trunk. Each contained remnants and small amounts of what appeared to be marijuana. Police also found a digital scale. In the back seat of the vehicle, they found more than $4,400 in cash. Additional cash was found on both Gates and Daly.
Gates told police the duffel bags belonged to a homeless hitchhiker they picked up in an unknown state during their trip. Neither offered an explanation for the money.
Daly was arrested for maintaining a common nuisance and possession of marijuana. Gates was arrested for possession of marijuana and visiting a common nuisance. Both were transported to the Porter County Jail.
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