A Huntington, W.

Friday, January 07, 2000

A Huntington, W.Va., man awaits a Thursday preliminary hearing on drug-related charges at the Lawrence County Jail after a late-night pursuit Wednesday.

Gaory E. Fykes, 37 Northcott Court, Huntington, exited the American Legion building at 720 Quincy St. Wednesday to find officers with the Lawrence County Drug Task Force waiting for him.

But, when officers attempted to make the arrest, Fykes opted to run instead, Ironton Police Department Detective Capt. Chris Bowman said.

"We attempted to arrest him outside the American Legion, but Fykes jumped in a vehicle and fled the scene," Bowman said. "He drove at a high rate of speed for several blocks and then exited the vehicle and fled on foot."

During the chase, Fykes threw several items away in view of the officers. That action resulted in more charges once Fykes was in custody.

"He did try to get rid of crack cocaine and a handgun during the chase," Bowman said. "He was charged with two counts of trafficking in drugs, having a weapon while under disability, carrying a concealed weapon and resisting arrest."

Officers trailed and arrested Fykes in the 1100 block of South Ninth Street at about 10:50 p.m., Bowman said.

In addition to Wednesday’s incident, the 29-year-old has a long history of criminal offenses, Bowman added.

The arrest is the culmination of a months-long undercover investigation, which was a joint effort between the IPD and the Lawrence County Drug Task Force. The task force includes officers and representatives from Ironton Police Department, the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, South Point Police Department and Coal Grove Police Department, Bowman said.

"Without the full cooperation of these agencies, the investigation and arrest would not have been possible," he said.

Fykes remains in custody at the county jail under a $2,500 cash bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Ironton Municipal Court Thursday.