A Jacksonville man was arrested Wednesday night after he fled from officers and tossed drugs out his window during the chase, the Pulaski County sheriff's office said Thursday.
Keith Stewart, 49, was arrested on charges of fleeing, possession of a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence, DWI and refusal to submit to test, according to a sheriff’s office report.
About 11:57 p.m., police tried to stop Stewart after he failed to stop at a stop sign at Arkansas 161 and U.S. 67/167.
Stewart didn’t stop, and police pursued him along U.S. 67/167. During the pursuit, officers saw him toss a small plastic bag out the driver’s side window, deputies said. Police chased him until he pulled into his driveway on Latigo Trail, got out of the vehicle and was arrested, the report states.
A K-9 unit was dispatched to the area where officers saw Stewart throw the plastic bag, and deputies found a bag that contained what they suspected to be cocaine, according to the report.
Stewart was “unsteady on his feet, his eyes were red, his speech was slurred and he smelled of intoxicants” during his arrest, the report states.
Stewart was also cited for speeding, failing to yield to an emergency vehicle, failing to stop at a stop sign and driving on a suspended driver’s license, according to the report.
He was taken to the Pulaski County jail and charged, and his bail was set at $19,000.