Wayne County - Today at approximately 2:30 p.m. Richmond Police Department Criminal Interdiction Unit Scott Owens was working traffic enforcement on I-70 around the 146 mile marker, when he observed a silver 2001 Chevy Malibu that was westbound commit two traffic violations. He stopped the vehicle at the Centerville Road exit ramp at the 145mm.

As Owens spoke to the driver back in his car, the passenger in the Malibu slid into the driver's seat and drove off.  The vehicle drove west on I-70 to about the 144mm where it left the north side of the road and drove through the interstate fence.   It went over Means Road into a field where the second driver exited the vehicle and began running north across fields.

State Police K-9 Officer Shane Stephens was nearby and quickly arrived at the scene to begin tracking the subject.  Stephens and his partner Jax tracked the suspect approx. ¾ of a mile until he was apprehended.  Stephens and Jax then did a K-9 search of the suspect's car, where the dog alerted.

A subsequent search of the car recovered approximately one kilo of cocaine; one pound of marijuana; approximately $30,000 in cash and two loaded handguns.  Arrested was the car's original driver, Jerry D. Johnson, 36, of West Memphis, AR.  Also arrested was the car's original passenger and second driver, Curtis Washington, 36, of St. Louis, Mo.

Both men were charged with Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Deliver, Class "A" Felony; Possession of Cocaine over 3 grams Class "C" Felony; Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver, Class "D" Felony; Possession of Marijuana over 30 Grams, Class "D" Felony and Possession of a Handgun without a Permit, Class "A" Misdemeanor.  Both were lodged in the Wayne County Jail with no bond.

Stephens said "I'm glad my partner and I were close by and could assist.  This investigation was a great example of teamwork between agencies."  For further details please contact the Richmond Police Department.  Arrest photos may be obtained by contacting the Wayne County Jail.

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