Police: Bicyclist Faces Drug Charges

A 23-year-old Caledonia man was taken into custody after officers noticed he was having difficulty balancing a bag while on his bicycle and discovered he had a warrant out for his arrest.

Preston Vanko was charged Friday in Racine County Circuit Court with one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia and one felony count of possession of a controlled substance. If convicted, he faces three years, seven months in jail and/or up to $10,500 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint, Vanko was riding his bike Wednesday in the 3600 block of North Green Bay Road when Caledonia police observed him trying to balance a large garbage bag. When officers stopped him to ask if he was alright, he told them he was fine.

Police ran Vanko's name and came back with a warrant out of Mount Pleasant from last month for operating a vehicle while revoked and missing his court date.

When officers searched Vanko before taking him into custody, they say they found a glass pipe with burnt residue that later tested positive for marijuana. Vanko also had two pink pills in his pocket that he said belonged to his girlfriend that police identified as Adderall, the complaint reads. 

Vanko was given a $750 signature bond during his initial appearance on the drug charges. He will have his next court date on July 18.

For the operating while revoked charge, Vanko signed a $250 signature bond. He will next be in court for this case on July 25. 

Officers did return his bicycle to Vanko's father's house.