Man accused of leading police on chase, throwing suspected marijuana down storm drain

A Columbus man is accused of leading police on a chase Friday before dropping at least a half-pound of marijuana down a storm drain Friday afternoon.

Tommie Mullins, 22, faces more than a dozen charges after he was arrested about 2 p.m. on Second Avenue at 32nd Street. Charges include abandonment of controlled substance, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, tampering with evidence, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and other traffic charges. He was released on bond from the Muscogee County Jail.

Police estimated the value of a half-pound of marijuana was $2,264. Police also seized $3,189 in cash, a .45-caliber Glock pistol and a digital scale.

Police officer Michael Aguilar was near Seventh Avenue and 33rd Street when he saw a 2007 Kia Spectra without lights while it was raining. The officer stopped the vehicle and walked over to tell the driver about the headlights when the vehicle fled.

The Kia went through a stop sign on Sixth Avenue and another one on Second Avenue. As he entered the roadway, the car crashed into another vehicle. While stopped, the driver slammed his vehicle into the officer’s patrol car and left the vehicle.

Holding a large gallon-size bag filled with marijuana, the driver ran to a corner and threw the bag down the storm drain. Mullins was taken into custody after a foot chase.

The marijuana wasn’t recovered because of the water running through the drain.

This story was originally published April 5, 2016 at 8:26 PM with the headline "Man accused of leading police on chase, throwing suspected marijuana down storm drain."