By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – A 17-year old male was booked into the Eastern Arizona Regional Juvenile Detention Facility on Nov. 9 after officers caught him in possession of methamphetamine and marijuana.
According to a Safford Police report, the teen was bicycling northbound on the west side of U.S. Highway 191 at about 8:50 p.m. when an officer noticed his bicycle was equipped with a front light but no rear light.
The officer began to pursue the suspect, who had turned and was riding in the middle of 16th Street. The officer then maneuvered his patrol vehicle to where the bicyclist was heading toward him as the rider was northbound on 2nd Avenue. The officer turned on his emergency lights and the juvenile began to slow down.
As the bicyclist approached the officer, however, he sped up and rode past him.
The officer informed Graham County Dispatch that the suspect was fleeing from him and the officer turned around to pursue. The suspect then stopped on 15th Street and surrendered.
Other officers arrived at the scene and went back to where the juvenile had fled from the first officer. While there, authorities located two small plastic bindles; one containing methamphetamine and the other marijuana.
After advising the juvenile of his rights and informing him that he could be charged as an adult for the crime, the juvenile allegedly admitted throwing his stash after his interaction with the initial officer. He allegedly admitted using cocaine and methamphetamine earlier in the day and that he received the two plastic bindles from a friend.
The officer walked the suspect over to the juvenile detention center and commented that he had been cooperative and appeared to be truthful during questioning.
The drugs were sent to the Arizona Department of Public Safety Crime Lab for testing purposes.
