Sunday Traffic Stop in Tuscaloosa Yields Drugs, Gun

A Tuscaloosa Police officer recovered a large amount of marijuana and a firearm early Sunday morning after a suspect fled from a traffic stop, according to a TPD spokesperson.

Stephane Taylor, the department's public information officer, said a patrol officer noticed a Chevy Malibu with its brights on driving down 21st Street and 41st Avenue just after 2 a.m. Sunday.

The officer attempted to stop the car, but the driver, 20-year-old Ladarius Jones, refused to stop and fled down Culver Road. Taylor said he eventually bailed out the car on Riggs Road.

Jones allegedly reached into an open backpack as he jumped from the car, but the patrol officer was able to tackle him and call for backup before Jones produced the gun inside.

The suspect was arrested around 2:13 a.m. and charged with attempting to elude, resisting arrest, first-degree possession of marijuana, possessing a pistol without a permit. He also received tickets for running two stop signs, no tag light and failure to dim lights.