Two locals arrested

Two Clay County residents were arrested late Tuesday evening following a traffic stop.According to officials with the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post, at approximately 9:10 p.m., Tuesday, Master Trooper Todd Brown stopped a white, 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass for erratic driving and failure to dim headlights.
The vehicle was heading westbound on United States 40 near Murphy Avenue in Brazil.
During the traffic stop, the driver of the vehicle, Tony T. Lalen, 51, Staunton, was allegedly found to not have a valid Indiana driver's license and listed as a Habitual Traffic Violator.
A female passenger, later identified as Tracey G. Kline, 48, also of Staunton, exited the vehicle and was seen allegedly kicking an object under the front passenger seat, later found to be items commonly used in the manufacture and storage of illegal drug substances.
As officers continued to investigate the individuals and the interior of the vehicle, they located nearly 12.4 grams of suspected methamphetamine, four grams of suspected marijuana, a switchblade knife and numerous items of suspected drug related paraphernalia (including syringes).

The pair were taken into custody and transported to the Clay County Justice Center.Lalen was preliminarily charged with possession of methamphetamine (a class D felony), habitual traffic violator (a class D felony), maintaining a common nuisance (a class D felony), possession of marijuana (a class A misdemeanor), reckless possession of paraphernalia (a class B misdemeanor), and having an open alcoholic beverage container (an infraction).
Kline was preliminarily charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, visiting a common nuisance (a class B misdemeanor), reckless possession of paraphernalia, and possession of a switchblade knife (a class B misdemeanor).
Assisting in the investigation were members of the Brazil Police Department.
As of Wednesday afternoon, both were still in custody at the justice center.
Lalen's bond was $7,000, with no 10 percent allowed, while Kline's bond was $7,000, with 10 percent allowed.