Two arrested for drug possession, tampering with evidence charge after chase

BROOKLAND, Ark. (KAIT) – Two Paragould men are facing multiple charges after police said they led officers on a multi-county chase that led to a drug bust.

On Sunday, September 29, Brookland Police Officer Kade Carder ran the license on a Dodge Charger that returned with unconfirmed insurance. He noted that the vehicle was “continuously traveling in the left lane” on Highway 49 while traveling below the speed limit.

According to the affidavit, Officer Carder initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the vehicle was unable to stop.

“As the vehicle fled, Officer Carder observed the occupants of the vehicle throwing bags out the window of the vehicle as the vehicle continued to flee,” the affidavit states.

The chase continued into Greene County, where Arkansas state troopers took the lead.

A police officer performed a tactical intervention on the vehicle, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and become incapacitated. The driver of the vehicle, 33-year-old James Curtis Wolfenbarger, and the passenger, 38-year-old Ricky Alan Cole, were taken into custody.

“A search of the vehicle was conducted and Officer Carder advised that there was marijuana in the vehicle,” the affidavit states.

Officer Carder said the other officers went to the area where he saw the suspects throwing items from the vehicle. Among the items found were meth, K2 spice, cocaine, four unknown pills and several pieces of drug paraphernalia.

The affidavit states that Cole was taken to a Paragould hospital for treatment for seizures, not injuries from the TVI.

During a Mirandized interview, Wolfenbarger said he knew there were some narcotics in the vehicle, but they belonged to Cole. He also said Cole told him to run from police.

Both Wolfenbarger and Cole were taken to the Craighead County Detention Center to await a probable cause hearing.

On Monday, September 30, Officer Carder went to the detention center to speak with Wolfenbarger and Cole.

In another Mirandized interview, Wolfenbarger told Officer Carder that he first went to where Cole was supposed to buy drugs from him and that the two then headed to Brookland to meet a woman.

Wolfenbarger said that's when an officer tried to stop him.

“Wolfenbarger stated that Cole never threatened him, but that he discouraged him from stopping for the police,” the affidavit states. “Wolfenbarger further advised that Cole faked a seizure and told him to call 911 and stated that he was taking him to the hospital.”

At that point, Wolfenbarger said Cole threw the drugs out the window. He added that he pulled over to the side of the road “to conceal from law enforcement that he threw the narcotics out the window.”

In a Mirandized interview with Cole, he admitted to possessing the drugs and throwing them out the window. He was asked if he ever threatened Wolfenbarger during the incident and he said he did not. He also admitted to selling and buying narcotics “for the past few months.”

Wolfenbarger faces seven charges, including possession of meth or cocaine with the intent to deliver two grams, possession of Schedule I or Schedule II substances (not meth or cocaine) with the intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with physical Evidence – Obstructing prosecution/defense of a crime, failure to provide proof of liability insurance, failure to yield to law enforcement and fleeing in a vehicle.

Cole faces four charges, including possession of meth or cocaine with the intent to deliver two grams, possession of a Schedule I or Schedule II substance (not meth or cocaine) with the intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia and tampering of evidence – hinder the prosecution/defense of a crime.

On Wednesday, Oct. 2, Craighead County District Judge David Boling granted Wolfenbarger a $50,000 cash bond, while Cole was given a $25,000 cash bond.

Both suspects are scheduled to appear for arraignment on Monday, November 25th.

Please report a typo or correction Click here.

Copyright 2024 KAIT. All rights reserved.