Two suspects were arrested early Monday morning for drug-related offenses and other criminal charges, after a deputy spotted their vehicle in a car wash bay, according to Chief Deputy Mike Haley of the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Haley said that on Monday at approximately 3 a.m., WPSO Patrol Sgt. Jay Dupre was traveling south of Bogalusa on Louisiana Highway 1075 when he observed a red SUV, with headlights on, sitting in a bay at a car wash. Dupre pulled in behind the vehicle, which had a Mississippi license plate and was occupied by two persons.

“As Sgt. Dupre exited his patrol unit and approached the suspect vehicle, he observed sudden activity by the driver and the placement of an item in the glove box,” Haley said. “Both suspects, each of whom had a black bandana tied around their necks, exited their vehicle at the direction of Sgt. Dupre. When asked if there were any weapons in the vehicle, the female passenger stated there was a pistol in the glove box.

“At that time, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies James Gregorio and Chad Cassard arrived on the scene and both vehicle occupants were handcuffed.”

Haley said that Dupre retrieved a loaded .22-caliber revolver from the glove box. Then, after receiving permission from the owner to search the vehicle, deputies reportedly discovered crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

The vehicle occupants were identified as Jonathon Wayne McCain, 30, a resident of Jenkins Road near Franklinton, and Brittany Nicole Granier, 29, a resident of Petal, Miss. McCain was further identified as a convicted felon who is on probation for previous offenses.

Both McCain and Granier were arrested and transported to the Washington Parish Jail. McCain was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, convicted felon in possession of a firearm and violating his probation. His bond has been set at $50,000. Granier was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with a weapon present and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $5,000.

Haley said that jail records indicate this is Granier’s first stay in the Washington Parish Jail. Records also indicate this is McCain’s 13th visit to the jail. His arrests began in July of 2009, and have included a variety of charges including failure to appear in court, traffic violations, two separate arrests for driving while intoxicated, drug offenses, and being in possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

“This arrest is a good example of pro-active law enforcement,” Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal said. “Sgt. Dupre’s alert eye enabled him to spot criminal activity and take both illegal drugs and a loaded firearm out of our parish. I congratulate him, Deputy Gregorio and Deputy Cassard for a job well done.

“Once again, while honest citizens sleep in the comfort of their homes, criminals are out and about in our parish. That is, until our officers intercept them and escort them to jail.”