Sunday, March 30, 2003

County drug agents shoot out tire of suspect's stolen vehicle to avoid a chase

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

A man trying to flee agents of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department Drug Task Force Tuesday afternoon was stopped after one of the agents shot out one of the tires to his car, which turned out to be a stolen vehicle, police said.

Bobby Dean Richey had recognized one of the undercover agents and tried to flee the parking lot of a Fayetteville convenience store where one of the agents had set up to "buy" of a half gram of methamphetamine from Richey, said Sgt. Belinda McCastle.

Richey tried to escape in a stolen Ford Explorer, but on the way out he struck one of the agents' vehicles, McCastle said. To prevent a pursuit from spilling onto the roadway, another agent shot out one of the Explorer's tires before it crashed into a protective concrete post near one of the gas pumps, McCastle added.

Agents had to break out one of the Explorer's windows and pull Richey out, McCastle said.

Richey is charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer, concealing the identity of a vehicle, possession of marijuana and a tag violation.

Richey was also wanted on other charges by Clayton and Henry counties, McCastle said.



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