Man arrested outside Burbank cafe on suspicion of illegally possessing drugs
A 36-year-old Los Angeles man who police say appeared to be high on methamphetamine was arrested Sunday on suspicion of identity theft and possession of Norco and Vicodin without a prescription.
Officers approached the man, Richard Hathaway, just before 7 p.m. for smoking in front of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in downtown Burbank, a violation of the city’s municipal code, said Burbank Police Lt. Eddie Ruiz.
According to police reports, Hathaway appeared nervous and admitted he had consumed methamphetamine earlier in the evening, Ruiz said.
A consent search of Hathaway’s backpack revealed he was in possession of Norco and Vicodin, but did not have a prescription, and also had several sheets of paper with people’s identifying information, Ruiz said.
He was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail ahead of a court appearance scheduled for later this week.
-- Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com