A suspected cocaine dealer faces drug-related and other multiple charges after briefly evading officers during a vehicle and foot chase earlier this week.
The Coffee County Drug Unit attempted to initiate a stop for a traffic violation on Jan. 28 on a vehicle occupied by an individual who had fled from agents during a drug investigation that occurred in 2018. The vehicle failed to yield to officers and led them on a high speed chase in the area of South Pearl and South Gaskin Avenues.
During the chase, the subject, identified as Quanta Tydon Taylor (also known as James Taylor), attempted to exit the vehicle from the driver’s window as the vehicle was in motion. As Taylor exited the window, the vehicle lost control and struck a light pole on South Gaskin. Taylor then continued to run on foot, leading agents on a chase in the area of Martin Luther King Drive.
As drug agents pursued, Taylor entered an occupied home and attempted to hide. The homeowner safely fled the residence, but agents were unable to locate the suspect.
The following day, officers received information that Taylor had taken shelter at a residence on Wynn Avenue. Officers made entry to the home and located Taylor hiding in the attic. Agents arrested Taylor, and a subsequent search yielded the discovery of a quantity of cocaine and marijuana, along with a firearm.
Taylor faces charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, criminal trespass, obstruction of law enforcement, hit and run, reckless driving, expired tag, failure to notify owner upon striking a fixture, seat belt violation, driving too fast for conditions, and failure to maintain lane.
Another individual, Greylynn Phelps, was also arrested and charged with hindering the apprehension of a criminal and giving false information to law enforcement for her role in the incident.