A local man is in jail on theft and drug charges after a Conyers woman allegedly spotted him driving her stolen car last week.

Edward Dewey Simmons, 50, of 895 North Ridge Drive, was arrested Friday after the victim spotted her stolen 1994 Honda on West Avenue and followed the vehicle while notifying authorities.

Officers followed the car along Sigman Road until the road widened enough for a safe traffic stop. The driver of the stolen vehicle pulled into the parking lot of Conyers Middle School.

According to reports, Simmons was seen fidgeting with something in the car, and he later told deputies he was putting on his prosthetic left leg.

The vehicle had been reported stolen on Feb. 27 from a auto repair shop on Old Covington Highway, where the owner had taken her car for repairs due to a failed emissions test.

Simmons allegedly told deputies that he had borrowed the car from another man and had suspected it might be stolen since the man was frequently driving different cars and the Honda's ignition was broken and a screwdriver was used instead of a key. The owner of the vehicle said she used the same method to start her car.

When recovered, the stolen vehicle's tag had been replaced by a handicap tag registered to another car.

Upon searching the vehicle, authorities allegedly located nine .38 caliber bullets, a cooler containing 16 hypodermic needles, two of which contained 20 ml of clear liquid, and another container of clear liquid suspected to be methamphetamine.

Officers also found a silver spoon with burn marks, a sharp metal wire and hook, two digital scales, a pair of forceps and a crack pipe. A small dog was also reportedly in the car.

Simmons was charged with concealing the identity of a vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug related items, dangerous drugs, synthetic narcotic, possession of firearms by a convicted felon, theft by receiving stolen property and driving while license is suspended.