Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

CALERA – The execution of a search warrant on Feb. 4 in Calera led to a police chase that ended in an arrest after the suspect’s vehicle ran off the road.

On the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 4, the Calera Police Department Tactical Team executed a search warrant at a residence in the Nottingham subdivision.

According to Chief of Police David Hyche, as officers approached, a suspect was already inside their vehicle and drove away initiating a pursuit that eventually ended when the suspect drove off the road and crashed allowing authorities to apprehend him.

The suspect is charged with trafficking fentanyl, trafficking heroin, felony attempting to elude and two counts of distribution of a controlled substance. According to Hyche, Federal charges are also likely to be made.

The Calera Police Department previously executed a search warrant in the Meriweather Drive subdivision on Jan. 31 alongside members of the state drug task force and federal agents.

Hyche expressed his gratitude to the Calera PD Tactical Team for their work on this operation and one that took place last week. He also thanked several law enforcement organizations for their assistance, including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Helena Police Department, Jefferson County Aviation Unit, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Public Safety Drone Association, Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and Centerville Police Department.

“Both this week and last week’s drug trafficking case show our commitment to proactively identifying, investigating and referring for prosecution anyone who brings violence or drugs into our city,” Hyche said. “Proactively police work like this can give the appearance that an area has more crime. I would argue that ignoring crime and not being proactive encourages crime to grow and spread.”