San Angelo Man Arrested at Econo Lodge for Drugs and Unlawful Gun

At 12:41 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, San Angelo police responded to a civil disturbance at the Econo Lodge located at 415 W. Beauregard. An employee believed a male subject who had just checked in to be the same individual who stole a TV at the motel when he stayed there a few weeks ago, said Sgt. Cade Solsbery, public information officer for SAPD.

Additionally, the employee reported hearing a gunshot from room 110 where the male subject, later identified as Jason Rowden, 29, was staying. Another employee witnessed the male subject leave with a handgun in a green car prior to SAPD’s arrival at the motel.

Officers were not able to locate Rowden; however, they checked room 110 and found a bullet hole in the bed. Officers found no evidence of additional guests, nor were there signs of injury.

Solsbery said at 2:30 p.m., an Econo Lodge employee called in again and stated Rowden had returned in the green car. Officer B. Bylsma arrived at the motel and made contact with the man as he was backing out of a parking space near room 110 in a green 2015 Chevrolet Sonic.

While speaking with Rowden, Officer Bylsma smelled the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle, said Solsbery. The officer conducted a search and found high-grade marijuana and Xanax pills inside the vehicle. He also found a .45 caliber handgun that matched the bullet fired inside room 110.

Rowden was placed under arrest and searched. During that search, Bylsma found less than one gram of heroin in the man’s possession.

Solsbery stated Rowden was transported to the Tom Green County Jail and charged with Class A Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 3, State Jail Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, and Class A Misdemeanor Unlawful Carry of a Firearm.