A Rockmart-area man was booked into custody this past Thursday after he decided that despite the weather, he was going to take a ride on his ATV with drugs and cash onboard, according to Polk County Police reports.

PCPD arrested Franklin Steven Burnley, 50, of a Rockmart-area address, was taken into custody late in the evening on Thursday, September 26, amid stormy weather approaching on the side of Atlanta Highway in Rockmart.

The report alleged that Burnley was parked with his ATV around 11 p.m. while working on the vehicle by an officer, who noted that “this was extremely unusual behavior to an average person. There was a tropical storm warning issued due to a hurricane this night. It was raining enough to flood roadways and the weather was not ideal to be riding an ATV or being out from shelter in general.”

When officers got a closer look at what Burnley was doing, they found a bag dangling from between the frame and the ATV shell. Burnley first tried to claim it was the carburetor, then tried to hide it before the officer finally forced him to bring it into full view and see what was inside.

Police got backup on scene after taking Burnley into custody when it was discovered that cash and suspected methamphetamine that Burnley was attempting to conceal, per the report.

He claimed the money was his, but not the drugs they found.

During the arrest, Burnley claimed he was having severe back pain due to longtime issues with scoliosis. He was taken to Polk Medical Center to be cleared for booking and ultimately ended up behind bars at the Polk County Jail.

Burnley remained in custody on a $5,000 bond on a single felony charge of possession of methamphetamine.