Traffic stop leads to driver’s arrest on drug-related charges

A local man was arrested on drug-related charges after his vehicle was stopped for a minor traffic violation on Mapleton Street near McKinley Avenue.

Columbus Police Officer Brandon Decker saw the vehicle fail to signal a turn at 12:35 a.m. Thursday and identified the driver as Robert M. Bulthuis, 30, Columbus, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.

Decker determined Bulthuis had a suspended driver’s license and in the process of taking him into custody, found a bag of marijuana, a small amount of methamphetamine and a pipe in Bulthuis’ clothing, Harris said.

Bulthuis was taken to the Bartholomew County Jail on preliminary charges of driving while suspended with a previous conviction, possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, Harris said.

For more on this story, see Friday’s Republic.