A Minden man was arrested late Sunday, July 6, after allegedly fleeing from an officer during a pedestrian stop and attempting to discard drug paraphernalia, according to a Minden Police Department report.
Police said an officer was patrolling near the intersection of Myers and Cherry streets at approximately 11:31 PM when he observed Clydonavon Benton, 48, walking on the wrong side of the roadway, a pedestrian traffic violation.
According to the report, as the officer exited his patrol vehicle to make contact, Benton immediately fled on foot through the yard of a residence in the 700 block of Myers Street.
The officer pursued Benton and apprehended him after a brief chase. Police said Benton offered passive resistance before being taken into custody.
After being advised of his Miranda rights, Benton allegedly told officers he ran because he believed he “may have a warrant.”
Based on that statement, officers retraced the path of the foot pursuit and reported finding a blue hand towel containing a pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine. According to the report, the pipe contained burned residue and trace amounts of suspected methamphetamine.
While being searched at the scene, Benton reportedly admitted he had attempted to discard the pipe before his arrest.
Dispatch later advised officers that Benton had an active fugitive warrant through the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office for possession of methamphetamine.
Benton was transported to the Minden Police Department and booked on charges of pedestrians on roadways, resisting an officer, obstruction of justice, possession of drug paraphernalia, and as a fugitive from the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office. He was later transferred to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.