Police: Man hid, tossed drugs

MIDDLETOWN — A man arrested Monday is accused of hiding crack cocaine and then discarding it while engaging police in a pursuit, according to a police press release.

Police allegedly observed Jermaine Hayes, 37, of Garden Street, Hartford, travel through a red traffic light at an intersection without stopping or signaling, and his vehicle’s windows were tinted. Therefore, officers initiated a motor vehicle stop for the alleged traffic violations, the release said.

As Hayes and an officer were talking, the officer reportedly asked Hayes what he had in his left hand, which the officer observed was concealed under his left leg, according to the release. The officer then asked Hayes to exit the vehicle, but he allegedly refused, instead reportedly speeding away, engaging police in a pursuit.

Several minutes later, Hayes was once again pulled over and subsequently detained. Police then conducted a search of the vehicle and allegedly found two knives. When asked why he took off, Hayes claimed to be afraid of the police and denied concealing anything in his left hand.

However, police believe he discarded the alleged contraband while fleeing from the initial motor vehicle stop. However, they failed to discover any discarded weapons or contraband when they canvassed the area.

Hayes was then taken to the police station and a strip search did not reveal any results.

Hayes was subsequently charged with failure to signal, illegal tint, engaging in a police pursuit, reckless driving, interfering with an officer and having weapons in a motor vehicle.

The following day, officers again attempted to look for the discarded contraband and reportedly found a bag of 7.25 grams of crack cocaine under a vehicle. Hayes was then additionally charged with possession of narcotics, possession with intent to sell and tampering with evidence.

He was held in lieu of $350,000 bond and issued a court date of Oct. 10.