Driver Evades Arrest in Traffic Stop; Wanted on a Federal ATF Warrant

May 09, 2019

On May 01, 2019, Deputy Bridger with the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office was working drug Interdiction on Interstate 20 when Deputy Bridger initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle on Interstate 20 at State Hwy 19. The vehicle was occupied by two males. Deputy Bridger removed both the driver and passenger from the vehicle. While questioning the passenger, Deputy Bridger observed the driver of the vehicle to re-enter the vehicle and flee the scene of the traffic stop. The vehicle was spotted by other Law Enforcement Officers who attempted to stop the vehicle, where the driver disregarded Law Enforcement and continued to flee. Law Enforcement Officers from the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Canton Police Department, Edgewood Police Department, Van Zandt County Constables Office Pct. 4 Pat Jordan and the Grand Saline Police Department assisted in attempting to stop the vehicle where the vehicle then left Van Zandt County on Interstate 20 headed towards Terrell. Once the vehicle left Van Zandt County, Kaufman County Sheriff’s Department, Terrell Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety Helicopter Air One assisted in attempting to stop the vehicle where the vehicle was spiked in the city of Terrell by Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers. The driver of the vehicle ran off the roadway and was taken into custody by Law Enforcement. Located in the vehicle was US Currency, 17.1 grams of MDMA, 7.6 grams of Oxycodone and 32 grams of marihuana. It was also discovered that the driver of the vehicle was wanted on a Federal ATF Warrant for weapons charges. The driver of the vehicle was arrested and transported to the Van Zandt County Detention Center where he was charged with Evading Arrest or Detention in a motor vehicle, Manufacture or Deliver a Controlled Substance PG1=4gr < 200 grams, Manufacture or Deliver a Controlled Substance 2 or 2A =4grams <200 grams and Possession of marihuana less than 2 ounces. The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all the agencies who assisted in the apprehension of the suspect. Sheriff Corbett was quoted as saying “This is another example of what can be accomplished with the cooperation between Law Enforcement Agencies in Van Zandt County. This administration has worked diligently to foster and maintain positive relationships with all local, state and Federal Agencies”.

(Provided by Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office)