Police seek suspect who escaped Oates Avenue raid

The Metro Narcotics Task Force is seeking the public’s help to locate a Columbus man wanted on a series of drug charges, including trafficking in methamphetamine, authorities said Saturday.

Russell Phillip Napier, 48, was one of three people who escaped through the back door as task force agents executed a search Wednesday at 4218 Oates Ave. He was sought on a warrant for the sale of meth.

Napier is wanted on at least 10 charges, according to a list from Police Lt. Debra Bohannon, agent in charge of the task force. Charges include two counts of methamphetamine and violation of the controlled substance act with one count each of possession of Hydrocodone, Dillaudid, Clonzapam, trafficking in meth, possession of Alprazolam, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of a drug-related object.

Two men and a woman were taken into custody during the search on separate charges that range from possession of meth to obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

As agents moved through the home, Brian Napier, 36, was shot in the left arm as authorities said he charged toward a task force agent from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. He was treated for non-life threatening injuries at a local hospital, officials said.

Anyone with information on Russell Napier’s whereabouts should call 911. Tips may also go to the Metro Narcotics Task Force Twitter via @MetroNarcotic.

Napier is described as white, 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds.

This story was originally published March 26, 2016 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Police seek suspect who escaped Oates Avenue raid."