BEATRICE – Contact with a speeding motorist led to an arrest by Gage County law officers early last Thursday morning.

A deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in Pickrell, which had been speeding on U.S. Highway 77. The driver initially told the officer he was heading from Lincoln to Crete, but later said he was headed toward Beatrice.

During the stop, a K-9 was brought to the scene and indicated the odor of narcotics inside the vehicle.

A search revealed suspected methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia….a loaded and defaced handgun, ammunition and burglary tools. Authorities also discovered that the vehicle had been stolen from its owner, in Lincoln.

29-year-old Robert Cave, of Lincoln, was arrested on multiple counts, including six drug and weapon violations, theft, possession of burglar tools, driving under suspended license and willful reckless driving. The arrest was made just before one a.m.