Flat tire leads to arrest for drug possession

A call to Exeter police to assist a disabled vehicle led to numerous drug charges against the driver.

EXETER >> What started out as a call for a flat tire eventually led police to the arrest of a suspected drug dealer.

Exeter Police arrested Rashan Washington, 32, of Philadelphia, Monday after they were dispatched to the 4500 block of Painted Sky Road for a report of a disabled vehicle with a flat tire.

Police found through an investigation that Washington had been driving a rented silver Chevrolet Impala and that he had been involved in an accident that he had not reported. Officers also found that he had allegedly been driving with a suspended license, according to a press release from Exeter Police.

While observing Washington at the scene, police officers suspected that Washington was under the influence of drugs. He was then found to be in possession of 94 packets of heroin, 10 small bags of crack cocaine and a larger piece of crack cocaine. They also found two burnt blunts of suspected synthetic marijuana, police said.

Officers said Washington attempted to avoid answering questions and subsequently failed field sobriety tests.

Police later found that Washington was not the authorized driver of the rented vehicle.

Drugs and paraphernalia were seized by police and the car was towed.

Washington has been charged with manufacture, delivery or possession with intent, use or possession of drug paraphernalia, intent to possess a controlled substance and driving with a suspended license. He was arraigned on March 28 before District Judge William N. Hall Jr. and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 5 before District Judge Sandra L. Fegley. He was unable to post the set $75,000 cash bail and was remanded to Berks County Prison.