Police kick it into high gear to nab suspect; local man reports armed robbery

A 37-year-old man was arrested Thursday night on several charges after allegedly leading El Dorado police on a high-speed chase, during which he reportedly drove recklessly through residential areas.

Brian D. Charles, of the 500 block of Apple Street, faces a felony charge of fleeing in a vehicle and misdemeanor charges of fleeing on foot, possession of marijuana and driving on a suspended driver’s license.

Officers with the EPD’s Criminal Apprehension Division said they spotted Charles at approximately 9:20 p.m. driving in the area of Hillsboro and Lorene.

The officers said they were aware that Charles’ driver’s license was suspended and after confirming the suspension with 911 dispatchers, officers initiated a traffic stop in the area of Hillsboro and Cook.

Police said Charles accelerated, “recklessly” turned north onto Oliver Avenue and disregarded a stop sign at the intersection of Van Street.

Charles then continued north and eventually turned onto Cargile Avenue, north of Short East Hillsboro, police said.

Officers said Charles stopped in the dead-end section of Cargile, exited the vehicle and fled on foot. He then ran through a hole in a fence in the area and onto the property of Hudson Place Apartments.

Charles was apprehended by CAD investigators after a brief foot chase and he told officers he ran because he did not have a valid driver’s license, there was marijuana and “syrup” inside his vehicle and he did not want to go to jail.

During a search of the vehicle, police said they recovered a small bag of marijuana and a bottle of prescription cough syrup.

Robbery

A man reported Thursday that he was robbed at gunpoint after he attempted to purchase marijuana from the suspect.

The 30 year-old victim told officers that he had agreed to meet the suspect to buy marijuana and they conducted the transaction at approximately 3:20 p.m. while inside the suspect’s vehicle, which was parked outside the victim’s residence in the 1200 block of Roosevelt.

The suspect then stepped out of the vehicle, opened the door to the backseat where the victim was sitting and struck the victim multiple times with his fists, according to a police report.

The victim said the suspect pointed a handgun at him and said, “If you move, I will kill you.”

He told police the suspect stole $2,500 cash, a cellphone and keys from him before getting back inside the vehicle and leaving the scene.

A witness corroborated the victim’s account of the incident. Police noted that marijuana was scattered in the roadway where the incident reportedly occurred.

A suspect has been identified. No arrests were made by press time Friday.