Man abandons 26 pounds of weed during chase

After Vidor Police Department (VPD) officers chased a 2007 Toyota Camry on I-10 until half its tires were flat at about 3 a.m. Oct. 26, they found 26 pounds of marijuana and lost track of the driver as he fled into the forest.

A VPD officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop before the driver rapidly exited the interstate, lost control of the vehicle and nearly struck the interior barrier, according to a news release. This caused the two passenger tires to flatten before the driver – a man described as black, wearing blue jeans and a white shirt and a red hat – fled the scene near FM 1132.

Upon returning to the vehicle, officers located a loaded 40 Caliber Ruger pistol that was reportedly stolen from Acadia Parish Louisiana. In the trunk, officers located 26 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $50,000 and a money counter. The incident is under investigation.