A 42-year-old Lawrence man was arrested Tuesday afternoon after police found him in possession of what they believed to be methamphetamine and a “knuckle stun gun.”

Lawrence police arrested Michael Dale Siler about 4 p.m. Tuesday in the 700 block of Locust Street while investigating the May 11 theft of a Coca-Cola sign and a vintage traffic light, valued at $100, from a home in the 500 block of North Eighth St., said Sgt. Trent McKinley, a Lawrence Police Department spokesman.

In the course of investigation, officers encountered Siler, stopped to speak with him, and saw him try to get rid of some syringes and what officers thought was methamphetamine, McKinley said. They also found him in possession of a “knuckle stun gun,” — a type of stun gun built in the shape of brass knuckles, which is illegal to carry in public.

Siler has been arrested and charged in Douglas County many times, being convicted of forgery, battery, domestic battery and theft between 2007 and 2012. He is currently charged with domestic battery in Douglas County District Court in an unrelated case.

On Tuesday, police issued Siler a municipal citation in the theft case and arrested him on suspicion of drug and weapons offenses. He was booked into Douglas County Jail and released on a $3,750 bond.

Douglas County prosecutors charged Siler on Wednesday with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. He is scheduled to appear in court June 12.