Cops say Gary men tossed pot out of SUV

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Two Gary, Ind., men believed to be headed to Georgia were arrested after allegedly tossing bales of marijuana from their SUV as they fled from police.

Seven bales of Mexican marijuana, wrapped several times with scented dryer sheets and shrink wrap, were recovered along state Route 840 southeast of Nashville. The bales weighed just under 138 pounds, officials said.

They could be worth an estimated $265,000 retail.

Anthony L. Christian, 35, and Leo N. Taylor, 39, both of Gary, Ind., were charged with possession of marijuana for resale. Christian, the driver, was charged with felony evading arrest in a motor vehicle.

Police believe the pair were headed to Georgia. "Someone is not going to be having fun in Atlanta this weekend," a police official said.

The 19-mile chase began after a routine traffic stop on Interstate 24 eastbound early Saturday. As an officer approached the SUV, he noticed the rear cargo area contained suspicious items. After the stop, when he was supposed to be walking back to the police car, Christian jumped back into the SUV and took off onto 840 westbound.

Police chased the SUV at 85 mph. Taylor attempted to dispose of the marijuana bales by throwing them out of the passenger window, police said.

Christian finally was stopped by a roadblock of Tennessee Highway Patrol and sheriff's department cars.

AP
September 6, 2004
2004, Digital Chicago Inc.
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