'Shots fired' report leads to drug arrest at Caruthersville

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo., -- A Caruthersville man was arrested yesterday in connection with a report of shots being fired at the 400 block of East 14th Street. According to City Marshal Chris Riggs, officers were called to the scene regarding the discharge of a weapon and observed a gold Pontiac Grand Prix leaving the area through a neighboring yard. When officers pulled the vehicle over to investigate, two African-American males fled on foot, which resulted in a pursuit that ended with one suspect being taken into custody. During this incident, the suspect, according to police, attempted to swallow a large bag of crack-cocaine which was recovered by the arresting officers. The 30-year-old suspect is being charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver, resisting arrest and tampering with physical evidence, according to a police report. He was processed at the Pemiscot County Justice Center and later released after posting a $70,000 bond. Riggs noted that officers also searched the vehicle the suspects fled from and located a hand gun, which was seized as evidence and will be sent to the crime lab for DNA analysis.