When Avilla police pulled over Kenneth Barden Jr. for a routine traffic stop, they never guessed the young man would lead them to a more bizarre find – a homemade cannon.

The discovery of the cannon began after police pulled over Barden, 23, of Kendallville. He was arrested about 3 a.m. Thursday after an officer pulled over his Lincoln Mark VIII coupe near Fourth and Main streets in Avilla. Police say Barden failed to signal a turn.

After obtaining consent to search Barden’s coupe, officers found nearly 4 ounces of marijuana, along with a large amount of materials used to make methamphetamine in the trunk of his car, Avilla Town Marshal Glen Willis said.

Even stranger, on Barden’s cell phone police found a video of people using a homemade cannon. After questioning Barden, police were led to a home in the northern part of the county, near County Roads 500 North and 400 East. Officers used a search warrant about noon Thursday to enter the home, which was being remodeled.

No one was inside, but on the property police found a homemade cannon. The cannon measures 7 feet long by 3 feet wide, Willis said. Police found additional destructive devices on the property including propane tanks with fuses hooked to them and homemade booby traps, Willis said.

Those traps included mousetraps armed with shotgun shells. Police believe the trap’s maker intended someone to step on them and be shot in the foot, Willis said.

The cannon had been used to shoot lug nuts and nails. The cannon was so powerful that the lug nuts bore through the side of a vehicle at the property, Willis said.

Police have not charged anyone in connection with the use of the cannon or the other weapons.

The case remains under investigation.

Barden was preliminarily charged with felony counts of possession of marijuana and possession of meth-making materials. He posted $4,500 bond at the Noble County Jail and was released Friday.

habrams@jg.net