Deputies from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office initially noticed a vehicle traveling erratically and ended up arresting the occupants on various charges, including theft by receiving stolen property for reportedly having a stolen weapon in the vehicle.

According to reports, deputies were patrolling the area of Ga. Highway 81 near Ga. Highway 162 when they noticed a white Buick Century with no tag heading south. The vehicle reportedly traveled across the fog line and into the grass, and when the driver stopped at an intersection deputies activated emergency equipment and stopped the car in a parking lot on Salem Road.

The driver was identified as 40-year-old Warren Price, and when asked for his identification he reportedly told deputies that he did not have it with him. Reports indicate that deputies could smell a strong odor of alcohol in the passenger area of the vehicle where 25-year-old Jamario Devun Heard was sitting. The rear passenger, identified as 22-year-old Sedarius Geronte Stephens, allegedly had an open container of beer in his lap.

Deputies instructed Price to turn the vehicle off and exit and he complied, according to reports. As he began to exit the vehicle he allegedly tossed a black handgun in the driver’s seat. Price was pushed toward the back of the vehicle by one deputy and he alerted the other deputy that there was a gun in the car and that Heard was allegedly reaching for it. One deputy reached for his weapon and gave Heard commands to put his hands on his head. He complied and was placed into handcuffs.

After all three men were secured in handcuffs deputies checked the gun from the vehicle and they were advised by dispatch that the gun came back as reported stolen. Inside the vehicle deputies allegedly located a Dell laptop, two screwdrivers and a cell phone.

The trio were transported to the Newton County Detention Center where they were all charged with theft by receiving stolen property and open container. Price was additionally charged with operation of an unregistered motor vehicle and failure to maintain lane.