Local man arrested for drugs, fleeing
A Hot Springs man was arrested on felony and misdemeanor warrants Wednesday morning for allegedly fleeing on foot from a traffic stop earlier this month while in possession of meth, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Miguel Angel Estrella, 40, who lists a Patterson Street address, was taken into custody shortly before 9 a.m. and charged with felony counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, possession of meth with purpose to deliver, punishable by up to 10 years, possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia, punishable by up to six years, and misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana with purpose to deliver and fleeing on foot.
Estrella remained in custody Thursday on $16,000 bond and is set to appear today in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on May 1, shortly after 8:30 a.m., Officer Joey Vanderburg observed a white Lexus traveling north on Linwood Avenue that was swerving when it neared the intersection of Ward Street. The driver reportedly failed to stop at the stop sign and failed to use a turn signal.
Vanderburg pulled the vehicle over and a passenger, later identified as Estrella, exited the vehicle. The officer told Estrella to return to the vehicle and he did, but refused to close the door.
Estrella exited the vehicle again and fled on foot headed south and could not be located. Detectives Ty Threadgill and Jjesus Anaya arrived on scene and the driver confirmed Estrella’s identity.
Officers searched the vehicle and reportedly found 0.1 gram of meth in the trunk and 1.8 grams of marijuana between the passenger seat and center console. Inside the console, officers found 1.1 grams of marijuana in a metal tin and a marijuana blunt inside the driver’s door.
Officers also found 0.7 gram of clonazapam, two digital scales, numerous plastic baggies, rolling papers, three pipes and $340 in cash. Warrants were later issued for Estrella’s arrest.