A Decatur County man was arrested Monday night after Columbus Police say he led them on a chase. Lt. Matt Harris, department spokesman, says that at about 7:25 p.m., Officer Tony Kummer encountered a car traveling north on Central Avenue that failed to stop for a red light at 17th Street and nearly struck his patrol car. Kummer tried stopping the car, but he says the driver refused to pull over. Police say the driver fled through a nearby alley and escaped a short time later near 20th Street and Caldwell Place. Harris says that the pursuit was then terminated. However, Officer Kummer was able to get a the vehicle’s license plate number, which revealed that the vehicle’s owner lived in the 2800 block of 17th Street. When officers arrived a short time later, they found the vehicle parked in the driveway. They then reportedly found the suspect, 30-year-old Bobby Richards, of Westport, in the backyard. While searching Richards, officers reportedly found marijuana and a glass pipe in his clothing.

Richards was arrested on preliminary charges of:

Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle;
Operating a Vehicle Without Obtaining a License;
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia;
Possession of Marijuana