Traffic stop nets drug arrest
Published 10:15 am Monday, January 11, 2010
SOUTH POINT — What was initially a traffic stop quickly turned into a pursuit, attempted burglary and finally a drug arrest Sunday in South Point.
Jerome N. Legette, 36, of Ashland, Ky., is in the Lawrence County Jail charged with failure to comply with the order and signal of a police officer, possession of crack cocaine, aggravated burglary, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence, falsification and several traffic violations.
According to information from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a state trooper stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation Sunday at 2:40 a.m. on U.S. 52 near Lick Creek Road.
Legette allegedly stopped his vehicle briefly, gave a fake name and other incorrect personal information and then sped off in his car eastbound on County Road 1, where he lost control, drove off the left edge of the roadway and struck a utility pole.
Legette then allegedly jumped out of the car and ran to a nearby apartment building where he tried to break into an apartment.
Residents in the apartment complex reportedly helped apprehend Legette, who was taken to Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth of treatment of injuries he sustained in the incident.
While at the hospital, authorities reportedly found 4 grams of crack cocaine concealed on Legette’s body.
After medical treatment, Legette was taken to jail.
He is scheduled to be arraigned today in Lawrence County Municipal Court.