MAN ATTEMPTS TO FLEE TRAFFIC STOP

CHIPLEY-Washington County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Chipley man after fleeing from law enforcement last night.

Around 10:15 p.m., a traffic stop was initiated on Orange Hill Rd. While waiting for a quick license check, K-9 Axil was deployed and began to alert deputies to possible narcotics. The driver who identified himself as 45-year-old, Lawrence James Natale was asked to step from the vehicle. Natale hesitated. Deputies asked Natale repeatedly to exit the vehicle. Natale then began shifting the vehicle into drive.

The pursuit began with Natale and deputies traveling at high rates of speed down several Washington County roads. During the pursuit Natale aggressively activated his brakes on several occasions nearly causing a collision with the patrol car. Spike strips were successfully deployed and Natale’s blue Dodge Ram came to a stop at which time he was apprehended.

A search of the vehicle resulted in a glass smoking pipe with methamphetamine present.

Natale was booked into the Washington County Jail on charges of flee/eluding and possession of drug paraphernalia.

This article originally appeared on Washington County News: MAN ATTEMPTS TO FLEE TRAFFIC STOP