Traffic stop leads to drug arrest

Michael Dematteo, 37, was arrested by Maricopa Police Monday on suspicion of having dangerous drugs, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

About 2 p.m. a Maricopa Police officer was on patrol near Meghan Drive and Arizona Avenue when they identified a green van travelling at a high rate of speed. The officer attempted to get behind the van to run a license registration and “as soon as I pulled behind the vehicle it sped up and ran the stop sign,” the officer wrote in a probable cause statement.

The van stopped when the officer engaged their vehicle’s emergency lights.

Dematteo was identified as the driver of the van. He was wanted on a City of Maricopa warrant with a $500 bond.

During a search, officers allegedly located a broken pipe that appeared to be a methamphetamine pipe. A white substance was identified inside the pipe which later tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the report.

He was arrested and booked into the Pinal County Jail. He remains there pending the posting of a $2,500 secured bond and a $200 cash only bond.