An Umatilla woman and Silver Springs man were arrested on drug and other charges after a chase that ended when a Marion County sheriff’s deputy used a PIT maneuver on U.S. Hwy. 441 in Summerfield.
Amber Nicole Day, 19, of 19400 SE Hwy. 42, No. 5, in Summerfield was charged with trafficking more than 14 grams of methamphetamine, using a weapon during a felony, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of drug equipment.
Salvador Arias, 33, 16545 NE 17th Place in Silver Springs, was charged with fleeing law enforcement with lights and siren active, trafficking more than 40 grams of methamphetamine, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana.
On Wednesday, Jan. 8, the deputy observed a blue Toyota Corolla fail to come to a complete stop at the intersection of SE 47th Avenue and SE 145th Street in Summerfield. The deputy tried to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle sped away and led a chase along SE 52nd Court, SE 149th Place, SE 51st Terrace, SE 149th Place, then back on to SE 145th Street, according to the sheriff’s office report.
The vehicle headed eastbound on SE 145th Street and then turned north onto U.S. Highway 301, east onto SE 132nd Street Road, and then south onto U.S. Highway 441. The deputy tried to PIT the vehicle on U.S. Highway 441 but was unsuccessful. The deputy tried again a short distance later and was able to get the vehicle off the road in the 14300 block of South U.S. Highway 441, the report said.
Arias, who was driving, and Day were placed under arrest. A search of the vehicle turned up a marijuana cigarette, and two glass drug pipes connected to a clear glass jar that was half filled with a liquid that tested positive for methamphetamine. The liquid weighed more than 14 grams, according to the report.
Arias said he ran because he thought he was being pulled over because his license was suspended and he didn’t want to go back to jail. He said the marijuana cigarette belonged to Day but they had been sharing it. Arias said he had purchased the clear glass jar but that he and Day had both been using it to smoke methamphetamine, the report said.
The deputy also found a Glock .380 handgun in the passenger seat that Arias said Day asked him if she should use to shoot at law enforcement during the pursuit. Day refused to speak to the deputy about the incident, according to the report.
Both Arias and Day were taken to the Marion County Jail. Arias was released Sunday on $33,000 bond, while Day remains held on $29,000 bond. Both will appear in Marion County Court on Feb. 11.