TRAVERSE CITY --
A call for a suspicious smell on a BATA bus leads to a drug arrest in Traverse City.
Traverse City Police were called to the BATA transfer station around 9:30 Thursday morning after some passengers complained of burning eyes. There was concern about a passenger on the bus having a chemical substance in his backpack.
Officers from the Traverse City Police Department assisted the Traverse City Fire Department in sealing off the area while the Traverse City Fire Department's Hazardous Materials unit checked the area and backpack for any chemicals. None were located.
During the search a small quantity of marijuana was located within the backpack of the person in question. Police say Michael Widmaier of Leland was arrested for possessing the marijuana and it was also determined that Widmaier had eight warrants for his arrest.
The warrants consisted of:
4 warrants out of Leelanau County for Fail to Appear on Traffic Offenses
1 warrant out of Leelanau County for Child Support arrearages
1 warrant out of Leelanau County for Assaulting a Police Officer
1 warrant out of Grand Traverse County for Fail to Appear on Traffic Offense
1 warrant out of Grand Traverse County for Aggravated Assault
The initial victims reporting complications from the smell were treated at the scene by Northflight Paramedics and released. The origin of the smell is unknown at this time.
