UPPER LAKE – A Fort Bragg woman found herself in jail Monday after a traffic stop allegedly revealed a large amount of drugs in her vehicle.

Sarah Jean Theiss, 25, was arrested Monday afternoon following a traffic stop by California Highway Patrol Officer Erich Paarsch, according to CHP Officer Adam Garcia.

At about 3:55 p.m. Monday Paarsch was on his way to assist the CHP Ukiah office with a fatal collision on Highway 20 just past the county line, said Garcia.

As he was heading to the accident dispatch advised him that a possible drunk driver had hit a fence in Upper Lake and was leaving the scene, traveling westbound on Highway 20, according to Garcia.

Paarsch spotted the vehicle, which reportedly was crossing into oncoming traffic, and he made a traffic stop, Garcia reported.

On stopping the vehicle, Garcia said Paarsch found Theiss, the vehicle's only occupant, had allegedly been drinking. He conducted an investigation and subsequently arrested Theiss for driving under the influence.

After arresting Theiss, Paarsch searched the vehicle and found 9.6 pounds of marijuana packed for sale in her vehicle, according to Garcia. Theiss offered no explanation for the marijuana despite being the solo occupant and registered owner of the vehicle.

She was taken to the Lake County Jail and charged with driving under the influence, possession of marijuana for sale, transportation of marijuana and hit and run with property damage, according to booking records. Bail was set at $22,740.

Theiss, who had posted bail and been released by Tuesday morning, is due to appear in court on the charges on Jan. 14, 2008, according to booking records.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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