A 35-year-old man driving with a stash of suspected heroin, cocaine and marijuana has been arrested after eluding and striking an officer with his car during a traffic stop, police said.
Richard Lee Hughes of Hampton was taken into custody early Friday morning after an officer pulled him over — following a brief pursuit — in the area of Howard Drive and Pocahontas Trail, according to James City County police spokeswoman Stephanie Williams.
Hughes, who was driving with a suspended license, remains in custody at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail. He also has warrants from Hampton and Arlington, Williams said.
During the traffic stop, the officer used a taser on Hughes, but the officer was struck in the arm as Hughes attempted to pull away, Williams said. The officer was not seriously injured.
According to the arrest report, just before 2 a.m., May 12 an officer on patrol, while driving through a 7-11 parking lot near Pocahontas Trail, noticed an odor of marijuana around an unoccupied vehicle parked with its lights on.
Police believe the driver of the vehicle was Hughes, who then exited the 7-11. Hughes got into the vehicle and pulled out onto Pocahontas Trail without stopping prior to entering the roadway.
The officer on duty activated emergency equipment and conducted a traffic stop, pulling over Hughes in the area of Howard Drive and Pocahontas Trail.
Police say Hughes was asked to exit the vehicle because of the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
Hughes refused the officer’s instruction, started the vehicle and began to drive off, according to the arrest report.
Police say the officer used a taser on Hughes, but Hughes continued to pull away in his vehicle, striking the officer in the arm.
The officer again followed Hughes with emergency equipment activated.
Hughes stopped about a half a mile farther down the road. He complied when asked again to exit the vehicle and was taken into custody.
After searching the vehicle, police discovered 2 grams of marijuana and approximately .3 grams of heroin and cocaine in a plastic container, according to the arrest report.
Hughes was also found to be driving with a suspended license.
Police have charged Hughes with one count of assault and battery of a police officer; possession of schedule I/II controlled substance, marijuana possession, obstruction of justice, eluding police and driving with a suspended license.
Hughes is scheduled to appear in Williamsburg-James City County court on June 29.
