Officer Chris Rankin

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)

903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: Pursuit Leads to Seizure of Drugs

A Texarkana Arkansas patrol officer initiated a brief vehicle pursuit on Friday night which resulted in the seizure of 32 pounds of marijuana.

Officer Josh Laster was on patrol in the area of 1600 Preston street when he observed what appeared to be a disturbance in the roadway near the intersection of Preston and Park streets. A blue Lincoln Towncar was stopped in the middle of the roadway and was surrounded by several individuals. As officer Laster approached the scene he observed one of the bystanders throw a brick at the drivers side door of the Lincoln. The car sped away from the scene at which point officer Laster got out and made contact with the group in the roadway.

He was told by a bystander that the driver of the Lincoln had been in the area causing problems and throwing objects at people who were standing outside. While speaking to the group, Ofc. Laster heard a car engine racing down Delaware street which is one block to the north of where he stood with the crowd. Ofc. Laster got back into his car and attempted to stop the vehicle, which he discovered was the same Lincoln. The car turned head-on toward Ofc. Laster's patrol car, at which point the suspect driver drove the car over the curb and into a yard to avoid the patrol car. Ofc. Laster turned his unit around to pursue the suspect vehicle. As he turned back onto Preston street he observed that the driver had abandoned the car and was approximately one block ahead of the patrol car running on foot. Ofc. Laster noticed that the suspect vehicle was smoking badly and the trunk was open. Ofc. Laster elected not to pursue the driver due to the large crowd that was beginning to gather.

Other patrol units arrived at the scene to assist. In the course of conducting an inventory officers discovered 32 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of the car. In addition to this, officers seized $3200.00 in cash as well as the suspect vehicle.

Investigators are continuing to search for the suspect driver. He is described as a black male, between 5'9" and 6'00" tall, 18-25 yrs. of age with short hair. He was last seen wearing shorts and a red t-shirt. Anyone with information regarding the suspect's identity or whereabouts is asked to call Crimestoppers at (903)793-STOP.

Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.