Delaware State Police
News Release

Seaford Man Jailed on Drug Charges after Fleeing Police on Traffic Stop

Released Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Seaford – Yesterday at approximately 10:37 am, a patrol trooper assigned out of Troop 5 observed a 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass traveling on Old Furnace Road near the intersection with Middleford Road. The trooper observed the operator not wearing a seatbelt.

As such, the trooper conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and contacted the operator, Lemont M. Batts Jr., 26 of Seaford. Upon contact with Mr. Batts, the trooper encountered a strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. The trooper informed Batts why he stopped him and inquired as to why the odor of marijuana was emitting from the vehicle. Batts appeared very nervous and subsequently fled the traffic stop to avoid further contact with the trooper.

The vehicle fled east on Dove Road and as the trooper was attempting to catch up to it the trooper observed it exit the north side of the roadway strike a tree and overturn. The trooper then observed Batts exit the car immediately and run in a northern direction. The trooper exited his vehicle and ordered Batts to stop running at which point he refused the commands to stop. The trooper, who happened to be a K-9 officer, then announced that he was going to send his K9, but Batts kept running. The dog was released and caught Batts immediately taking him down by grabbing his arm.

The trooper then took Batts into custody without further incident. Because of the apprehension by the dog an ambulance was summonsed for precautionary reasons and Batts was taken to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released for a dog bite.

Additional investigation at the scene by troopers located two baggies full of marijuana, weighing 30 grams, and a small black electronic scale. While interviewing Batts in regards to this incident, troopers observed indicators that Batts may be under the influence of drugs and subsequently conducted a DUI investigation as well. At the end of the investigation, troopers arrested Batts for Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, Disregarding a Police Officer’s Signal, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting Arrest, Consumption of Marijuana, Driving a Vehicle under the Influence of Drugs, Reckless Driving and Failure to Have Insurance in Possession. He was remanded to the Sussex Correctional Institute in lieu of a $14,000 cash only bail.

 

###