Officers Catch Druggie After Fence Foils Escape Plans

A San Angelo man who attempted to flee two officers after a traffic stop Wednesday was quickly caught and detained after he failed to jump a fence.

At approximately 9:00 p.m., Detective T. Griffith was working the Traffic Safety Program when he observed a 2001 GMC Jimmy SUV fail to yield right of way in the 600 block of Cottonwood. Det. Griffith conducted a traffic stop, however as soon as the vehicle came to a halt, the driver, 27-year-old Juan Alvarez, leapt out of the vehicle and ran.

As Det. Griffith pursued the suspect he called for assistance, and San Angelo Lake and Park Officer T. Berrie responded. Berrie arrived to find Alvarez attempting to go over a 6 foot wooden fence. Upon seeing Berrie, Alvaraz thought better of the climb and instead attempted to make it over a shorter chain link fence, unsuccessfully. Officer Berrie and Det. Griffith caught the suspect and took him to the ground, and after a brief scuffle in which the officers overpowered him, Alvarez was put into handcuffs and placed under arrest.

Alvarez was searched and a plastic baggie was found in his pocket containing suspected marijuana along with several clear plastic baggies. While checking the area around where Alvarez had attempted to go over the wooden fence, more plastic baggies similar to the ones in his pocket were found. Several of the plastic baggies contained a white crystal substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.  Also located was another plastic baggie containing suspected marijuana. 

Alvarez was transported to the Tom Green County Jail and booked in for Manufacture Delivery of a Controlled Substance equal to 4grams, less than 200 grams, Possession of Marijuana less than 2 ounces, Evading Arrest Detention with a Previous Conviction. Additionally Alvarez was found to have a warrant issued by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Division of Pardon and Parole for a Parole Violation.