After city police stopped Brian Matthew McKenzie’s car in the 600 block of Second Avenue for traffic violations about 8:50 p.m. on Nov. 29, it became very apparent to the officers that the 41-year-old motorist was likely under the influence of a controlled substance because of “his lethargic movements, poor driving, his inability to multitask, his deep raspy voice and his history of heroin use,” according to an affidavit. When an officer asked him to submit a blood sample, McKenzie, of 213 Grimesville Road, responded “If I give my blood, will you see what I took,” the court document stated. He refused to provide a blood sample, police said. Niko, a police dog trained at detecting narcotics, was brought to the scene and “made numerous positive alerts” when he was taken around the car, police said.

McKenzie refused to allow police to search the vehicle, so it was impounded and McKenzie was released to his mother. Police obtained a search warrant for the car, and while no narcotics were found during the search, police came upon a stolen handgun that was under a driver’s seat, the affidavit stated. Following his preliminary hearing last week before District Judge Aaron Biichle, McKenzie, jailed in the Lycoming County prison in lieu of $50,000 bail, was held for court last week on felony charges of receiving stolen property and carrying a firearm without a license plus DUI, a misdemeanor and three summary violations.